Congratulations on the new home! Yea for you!
For years I have paid a tax attorney (he has his CPA degree and license, then went to law school, then went on to earn the specialized Masters tax education in law school) and every dime I have paid that man has been money very-very-very well spent. Many years ago my husband had a tax problem with the state tax wolves breathing down my husband's neck. The tax attorney picked up the phone, dialed a number, addressed the individual on the other end by first name, gave a run down of my husband's situation, grunted a few "uh huh, uh huh, good, thanks" and hung up the phone. His one phone call resolved a problem that my husband could not cut through for months and months. Made a believer out of me. He has been my lawyer ever since.
So that's my advice to you: seek out a specialist. If you can find a tax attorney in your area that is as good a shark as my tax attorney, you'll be in pretty good hands.
I don't know about the $8,000 but if it is a tax credit, you will claim it on your income taxes this year. With mortgage interest and other deductions (points, etc.) you will start to see refunds on your taxes. Unfortunately the IRS will apply any refund to the unpaid tax bill.
My suggestion is to shop around and locate a talented tax attorney in your area, go over your tax situation with him/her, and the lawyer may want to go over prior years' filings to see what can be done. You'll also have someone to turn over your tax records to prepare your 2009 returns. IMHO you need someone with years of professional education and not a tax preparer service. Not if you are dealing with the IRS.
Again, congratulations on your new home. You must be excited for the upcoming holidays.
Carolyn
