Remind your first-time buyers that time is of the essence if they want to take advantage of the
federal tax credit worth up to $8,000. Buyers need to be moving now to find a home, secure financing and close the transaction before the November 30 deadline if they want to use the tax credit. The same deadline applies to the
Illinois Home Start Tax Credit Advance Loan Program, which allows qualifying buyers to use the tax credit toward their down payment.