Washington - Despite back-to-back blizzards that shut federal offices for days, the IRS issued new guidance last week on the two tax credit programs that are powering the country's real estate markets - the $6,500 credit for repeat buyers, and the $8,000 first-time buyer credit.The new IRS policy clarified documentation that taxpayers need to submit to successfully obtain either credit. When Congress revised the credit programs last November, it ordered the IRS to tighten its rules and monitoring to curtail widespread frauds that had emerged earlier in 2009.

The new IRS policy clarified documentation that taxpayers need to submit to successfully obtain either credit. When Congress revised the credit programs last November, it ordered the IRS to tighten its rules and monitoring to curtail widespread frauds that had emerged earlier in 2009.These included fictitious home purchases where people claimed and received $8,000 checks from the government on transactions that had never occurred. In some cases, federal auditors found that fraud ringleaders were submitting multiple claims for credits and splitting the government payouts with people who had no financial ability to buy a house.

These included fictitious home purchases where people claimed and received $8,000 checks from the government on transactions that had never occurred. In some cases, federal auditors found that fraud ringleaders were submitting multiple claims for credits and splitting the government payouts with people who had no financial ability to buy a house.To avoid such abuses in the revised credit program, which is scheduled to be available for qualified purchases closed through June 30, Congress directed the IRS to spell out documentation standards in detail and to install monitoring systems to spot fraud upfront. Among the keys to the monitoring system is that all documentation accompanying credit claims must comply with IRS' detailed rules.

To avoid such abuses in the revised credit program, which is scheduled to be available for qualified purchases closed through June 30, Congress directed the IRS to spell out documentation standards in detail and to install monitoring systems to spot fraud upfront. Among the keys to the monitoring system is that all documentation accompanying credit claims must comply with IRS' detailed rules. Here's what the agency wants from anyone seeking a credit:

Here's what the agency wants from anyone seeking a credit:A fully executed IRS Form 5405 (available at www.irs.gov) on which taxpayers provide basic information supporting their claim of eligibility, including income and home purchase date.

A fully executed IRS Form 5405 (available at www.irs.gov) on which taxpayers provide basic information supporting their claim of eligibility, including income and home purchase date.A copy of the "settlement statement" that proves the sale and purchase transaction actually took place. In instructions to taxpayers issued last month, the IRS said the settlement statement should show "all parties' names and signatures, property address, sales price, and date of purchase. Normally this is the properly executed Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement."

A copy of the "settlement statement" that proves the sale and purchase transaction actually took place. In instructions to taxpayers issued last month, the IRS said the settlement statement should show "all parties' names and signatures, property address, sales price, and date of purchase. Normally this is the properly executed Form HUD-1, Settlement Statement."The problem, however, is that home closing and settlement customs vary from state to state, and sometimes the HUD-1 does not contain both the seller's and the buyer's signatures on it. For example, in escrow states, where settlements are not sit-down affairs bringing together sellers and buyers, both sets of signatures may not appear on the HUD-1 received by the buyer.

The problem, however, is that home closing and settlement customs vary from state to state, and sometimes the HUD-1 does not contain both the seller's and the buyer's signatures on it. For example, in escrow states, where settlements are not sit-down affairs bringing together sellers and buyers, both sets of signatures may not appear on the HUD-1 received by the buyer.In California, buyers sign an estimated closing statement or an estimated HUD-1 "at the time they sign their loan documents," according to Donna Grosso, president of the California Escrow Association. Sellers have their "estimated closing submitted to them for their review and signature during or near the same time period as the buyer. We prepare the final closing statement or the final HUD-1 on the closing date," which is the date of recordation.

In California, buyers sign an estimated closing statement or an estimated HUD-1 "at the time they sign their loan documents," according to Donna Grosso, president of the California Escrow Association. Sellers have their "estimated closing submitted to them for their review and signature during or near the same time period as the buyer. We prepare the final closing statement or the final HUD-1 on the closing date," which is the date of recordation.As a result, said Grosso, "we do not have the buyers or sellers available to sign the final closing statement." This creates an apparent obstacle to meeting the IRS' instructions and makes it more likely that applicants will have their claims rejected or delayed for special review.

As a result, said Grosso, "we do not have the buyers or sellers available to sign the final closing statement." This creates an apparent obstacle to meeting the IRS' instructions and makes it more likely that applicants will have their claims rejected or delayed for special review. The agency tried to address that issue Feb. 12 by loosening up its requirements. "In areas where signatures are not required on the settlement document, the IRS has clarified that it will accept a settlement statement if it is completed and valid according to local law," said the agency. "The IRS encourages those buyers to sign the settlement statement prior to attaching it to the tax return. In situations where the signature of the seller is not on the settlement document, the IRS advises the buyer to still sign the document."

The agency tried to address that issue Feb. 12 by loosening up its requirements. "In areas where signatures are not required on the settlement document, the IRS has clarified that it will accept a settlement statement if it is completed and valid according to local law," said the agency. "The IRS encourages those buyers to sign the settlement statement prior to attaching it to the tax return. In situations where the signature of the seller is not on the settlement document, the IRS advises the buyer to still sign the document."Despite the fact that Form 5405 continues to require all parties' signatures on the HUD-1 or settlement document, the agency is now essentially saying: Don't worry about it -- as long as your settlement statement conforms to prevailing local practices, we'll accept it.

Despite the fact that Form 5405 continues to require all parties' signatures on the HUD-1 or settlement document, the agency is now essentially saying: Don't worry about it -- as long as your settlement statement conforms to prevailing local practices, we'll accept it.This is potentially important for large numbers of repeat and first-time buyers who are planning to file for the credit with this year's tax returns, and want to be sure they get through the IRS' tougher standards. Nationwide, according to estimates by the National Association of Realtors, 1.5 million repeat purchasers and 900,000 first-timers are expected to apply for credits this year.

This is potentially important for large numbers of repeat and first-time buyers who are planning to file for the credit with this year's tax returns, and want to be sure they get through the IRS' tougher standards. Nationwide, according to estimates by the National Association of Realtors, 1.5 million repeat purchasers and 900,000 first-timers are expected to apply for credits this year.What else does the IRS want to see on claims from homebuyers? For repeat purchasers, the agency wants documentation that, prior to their latest purchase, they had lived in their former property for a consecutive five years out of the past eight years. This may include property tax records, hazard insurance records or copies of annual mortgage interest statements filed with their federal taxes.

What else does the IRS want to see on claims from homebuyers? For repeat purchasers, the agency wants documentation that, prior to their latest purchase, they had lived in their former property for a consecutive five years out of the past eight years. This may include property tax records, hazard insurance records or copies of annual mortgage interest statements filed with their federal taxes.One caveat for filers: Because of the increased documentation and monitoring, IRS processing will take between four and eight weeks. So don't expect your $6,500 or $8,000 check overnight.

One caveat for filers: Because of the increased documentation and monitoring, IRS processing will take between four and eight weeks. So don't expect your $6,500 or $8,000 check overnight.