Credit where it's due: interpreting the tax credit for new homeowners.

Thanks to the economic stimulus package passed by Congress in February, first-time home buyers can take advantage of a new tax credit on their 2009 taxes, worth 10% of the home's value, up to $8,000.

A few eligibility rules: Only homes purchased between January 1 and December 1, 2009, qualify. Also, your income cannot exceed $75,000. The cutoff for married couples (as recognized by the federal government) is $150,000. This doesn't help gay people in domestic partnerships or in state-recognized marriages, but even if the Fed doesn't acknowledge your relationship, you and your partner are still allowed to divvy up the credit for the new home.

NINA SMITH is the founder of Queercents.com, a group blog addressing financial aspects of everyday life. To ask a money question, e-mail [e-mail].