In October of 2007, Congress passed the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act to help underwater homeowners who were struggling to pay their mortgages. In most cases, any debt you have been relieved of by your creditors should be listed on your taxes as income, which means the taxpayer would owe on this amount. Due to the housing bubble burst and the resulting real estate crisis, this Act was passed to allow taxpayers to be forgiven of this amount.
This tax relief applies to debt forgiven in calendar years 2007 through 2012. The debt must have been used to buy, build or substantially improve the homeowner’s principal residence and must have been secured by that residence. Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, may also qualify for the relief.
It is important that underwater homeowners act fast to take advantage of this important tax break, as foreclosure and short sale proceedings can take up to a year to process.
Due to the $2.7 billion this has cost the government in only two years, many believe it is unlikely that this Act will be renewed at the end of its term in December of 2012.
To read more on this story visit: http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/Congress_May_End_Program_Allowing_Tax_Relief_for_Mortgage_Modifiers_120225
Choosing the right attorney can make the difference between whether or not you can keep your home. A well qualified attorney will not only help you keep your home, but they will be able to negotiate a loan that has payments you can afford. Foreclosure defense attorney, Timothy Kingcade has helped many facing foreclosure alleviate their stress by letting them stay in their homes for at least another year, allowing them to re-organize their lives. If you have any questions on the topic of foreclosure please feel free to contact me at (305) 285-9100. You can also find useful consumer information on the Kingcade & Garcia, P.A. website at www.miamibankruptcy.com.
