With 2009 is now over, it may be time to review some of the numerous tax breaks made available earlier this year in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The recovery law provides tax incentives for first-time homebuyers, people purchasing new cars, those interested in making their homes more energy efficient and parents and students paying for college. But all of these incentives have expiration dates so taxpayers should take advantage of them while they can.
First-Time Homebuyer Credit
New Vehicle Purchase Incentive
Taxpayers who buy a new car or several other types of motor vehicles this year may be entitled to a special tax deduction when they file their 2009 federal tax returns next year. The tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
Here are seven things you should know about this new deduction:
State and local sales taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of qualifying vehicles are deductible.
Qualified motor vehicles generally include new (not used) cars, light trucks, motor homes and motorcycles.
Purchases must occur after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010.
This deduction can be taken regardless of whether or not you itemize other deductions on your tax return.
Taxpayers will claim this deduction when filing their 2009 federal income tax return next year.
The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers.
The deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns.
Consumers who are considering buying a new car may find that this tax incentive means there may have never been a better time to buy.
Energy-Efficient Home Improvements
The act also encourages homeowners to make their homes more energy efficient. The credit for non-business energy property is increased for homeowners who make qualified energy-efficient improvements to existing homes. The law increases the rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to a total of $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010.
Qualifying improvements include the addition of insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and energy-efficient heating and air conditioning systems.
Tax Credit for First Four Years of College
The American opportunity credit is designed to help parents and students pay part of the cost of the first four years of college. The new credit modifies the existing Hope credit for tax years 2009 and 2010, making it available to a broader range of taxpayers, including many with higher incomes and those who owe no tax. Tuition, related fees, books and other required course materials generally qualify. Many of those eligible will qualify for the maximum annual credit of $2,500 per student. Generally, 40% of the Hope credit is now a refundable credit, which means that the taxpayer can receive up to $1,000 even if they owe no taxes. However, none of the credit is refundable if the taxpayer claiming the credit is a child:
(a) who is under age 18 (or a student who is at least age 18 and under age 24 and whose earned income does not exceed one-half of his or her own support),
(b) who has at least one living parent, and
(c) who does not file a joint return.
Certain Computer Technology Purchases Allowed for 529 Plans
The act adds computer technology to the list of college expenses (tuition, books, etc.) that can be paid for by a qualified tuition program (QTP), commonly referred to as a 529 plan. For 2009 and 2010, the law expands the definition of qualified higher education expenses to include expenses for computer technology and equipment or Internet access and related services to be used by the designated beneficiary of the QTP while enrolled at an eligible educational institution. Software designed for sports, games or hobbies does not qualify, unless it is predominantly educational in nature.
Making Work Pay and Withholding
The Making Work Pay Credit lowered tax withholding rates this year for 120 million American households. However, particular taxpayers who fall into any of the following groups should review their tax withholding rates to ensure enough tax is withheld, including multiple job holders, families in which both spouses work, workers who can be claimed as dependents by other taxpayers and pensioners. A taxpayer’s failure to adjust their withholding could result in potentially smaller refunds or in limited instances may cause them to owe tax rather than receive a refund next year.
