Form 8859, Carryforward of the District of Columbia First-Time Homebuyer Credit
Form 8859 carries forward any unused District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit from an earlier year to your current return. Fill in the official IRS PDF below and download it.
This is the genuine IRS PDF, unmodified. Source: IRS official page.
What is 8859?
Form 8859, Carryforward of the District of Columbia First-Time Homebuyer Credit, is a one-page form used to claim the portion of the DC first-time homebuyer credit that could not be used in an earlier year because of the tax liability limit. The credit is nonrefundable, so any amount above your tax for a given year carries forward instead of being paid out.
The underlying credit for new DC home purchases expired years ago, so this form exists only for taxpayers still working through a carryforward from a purchase made while the credit was available. If you never claimed the original credit, you have nothing to carry forward and do not file this form.
Who files 8859?
- Taxpayers with an unused DC first-time homebuyer credit carried forward from a prior year
- Homebuyers who claimed the original credit but were limited by their tax liability in that year
- Anyone whose prior-year Form 8859 showed a carryforward amount to use this year
- Married couples who purchased a DC home together and are still using up the credit
How to fill out 8859
- Enter your name and social security number as they appear on your Form 1040.
- Enter the credit carryforward amount from your prior-year Form 8859.
- Figure your tax liability limit using the worksheet or line references in the instructions.
- Enter the smaller of the carryforward or the limit as your current-year credit, and note any remaining carryforward for next year.
- Download the finished PDF and attach it to your federal income tax return.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I claim the DC first-time homebuyer credit for a home I buy now?
No. The credit expired for new purchases long ago. Form 8859 only carries forward unused credit from a purchase made while the credit was in effect.
What happens if my carryforward is bigger than my tax this year?
You claim credit up to your tax liability limit and carry the rest forward again. The form walks you through figuring the amount that moves to next year.
Where does the Form 8859 credit go on my return?
It flows into the credits section of your Form 1040, generally through Schedule 3. Check the current instructions for the exact line reference.