The new buyer tax credit applies if you are a first time buyer and close between January 1st and December 1st 2009.  However, a bill has just been introduced that would not only raise the tax credit to $15,000, but would also make the credit available on any primary residence purchase, even if not the case of a 1st-time buyer.  The bill would also eliminate the current income ceilings of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for couples.