year to qualify for the first time homebuyer credit.

Members of the military and certain other federal employees serving outside the U.S. have an extra year

to buy a principal residence in the U.S. and qualify for the credit. Thus, an eligible taxpayer must buy,

or enter into a binding contract to buy, a principal residence on or before April 30, 2011. If a binding

contract is entered into by that date, the taxpayer has until June 30, 2011, to close on the purchase.

Members of the uniformed services, members of the Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence

community are eligible for this special rule. It applies to any individual (and, if married, the individual’s

spouse) who serves on qualified official extended duty service outside of the United States for at least 90

days during the period beginning after Dec. 31, 2008, and ending before May 1, 2010.