First time home buy tax credit

[AccTaxMan]

Three persons bought a house in 2008 together.

Two of them have never owned a home before. So they individually would pass the test.

One of them has owned a home in the last 3 years. So he does not pass the test.

Can the two persons who have never owned a home before split the credit?

[Larmil]

From the instructions for form 5405

Three persons bought a house in 2008 together.

Two of them have never owned a home before. So they individually would pass the test.

One of them has owned a home in the last 3 years. So he does not pass the test.

Can the two persons who have never owned a home before split the credit?

Line 1. If two or more unmarried individuals buy a main
home, they can allocate the credit among the individual
owners using any reasonable method. The total amount
allocated cannot exceed the smaller of $7,500 ($8,000 if
you purchased your home in 2009) or 10% of the
purchase price. See Purchase price on page 3.

Note. A reasonable method is any method that does not
allocate all or a part of the credit to a co-owner who is
not eligible to claim that part of the credit.

[AccTaxMan]

Line 1. If two or more unmarried individuals buy a main
home, they can allocate the credit among the individual
owners using any reasonable method. The total amount
allocated cannot exceed the smaller of $7,500 ($8,000 if
you purchased your home in 2009) or 10% of the
purchase price. See Purchase price on page 3.

Note. A reasonable method is any method that does not
allocate all or a part of the credit to a co-owner who is
not eligible to claim that part of the credit.

Thank you for your reply. My question is actually whether the fact that one of the three buyers does not pass the test would disqualify the other two buyers for the credits.

[Larmil]

Thank you for your reply. My question is actually whether the fact that one of the three buyers does not pass the test would disqualify the other two buyers for the credits.

The answer is no.