MAKING HOMEOWNERSHIP MORE AFFORDABLE

Taxpayers on the fence about buying their first home may want to consider the Act’s $8,000 tax credit

Unlike the incentive passed last year, first-time homebuyers will not have to repay the credit as long as they live in the house for three years. To qualify, eligible homebuyers must make their purchase between January 1, 2009 through November 30, 2009. Taxpayers who have purchased a home this year can take advantage of this credit on their 2008 return. For those who have already filed, filing an amendment is the best way to capture this full credit on their 2008 tax return.

The plan also includes tax credits for energy-efficient improvements such as qualified new furnaces, windows and doors to existing homes. The credit applies to 2009 and 2010 tax returns, with a lifetime cap of $1,500.

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Increasing access to higher education

More taxpayers will be able to qualify for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which will provide a new, partly refundable $2,500 tax credit for college tuition in 2009 and 2010. By making the credit partially refundable, nearly 4 million low-income students now will be able to qualify for the credit. This can be a better alternative for taxpayers than the two existing higher education credits.

Also, computer and computer technology costs will now qualify in 2009 and 2010 under the Section 529 Education Plans, which are tax-exempt college saving plans. Previously, eligible expenses included only tuition, room and board, and books, supplies and equipment that were required for attendance at the school.

Getting green from the garage

The package allows taxpayers to deduct the state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase of new cars, light trucks, recreational vehicles and motorcycles. The vehicles must be purchased from the enactment date of the Act through the end of the year.

The Act also provides a tax credit of up to $7,500 for families who purchase plug-in hybrid vehicles purchased after 2009 or plug-in conversion after date of enactment and before 2012. Even those taxpayers who don’t itemize can benefit from this.