div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/FlipSide.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – In so many ways, foreclosure is an end. It’s a bank’s last resort, and the sad final chapter for a family sold on the American dream of home …/div/div
Renting? It’s Still Possible to Have an Energy-Efficient Home
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/imagena.gif” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – According to a report from real estate research firm Reis, the national apartment vacancy rate reached 7.8 percent in the third quarter — the …/div/div
Time and Money Saving Tips for Your 2010 Tax Return
 NewsUSA) – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will still benefit millions of workers, families and college students on their 2010 federal tax returns.
The Making Work Pay Credit is equal to 6.2 percent of your earned income, up to $400 for individuals and $800 for joint filers in 2010. It starts phasing out at $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for joint filers. Like last year, the credit is already being distributed in paychecks through increased federal withholding. (If you don’t withhold federal taxes, you’ll receive the credit when you file your 2010 return.) Even though you receive this credit in each paycheck, you’ll generally still need to claim the credit on your 2010 tax return. The credit on your federal return makes up for the reduced withholding throughout the year. The credit should be figured using Schedule M and recorded on Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. Certain energy-efficient home improvements are worth up to $1,500 through the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit and Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. Then add this sentence: The $1,500 limit is the maximum amount that can be claimed for both 2009 and 2010 combined, and you must claim the credit in the year that the improvements were made. Both credits should be claimed on Form 5695. The HOPE credit is now called the American Opportunity Credit and is worth up to $2,500 per student for tuition, related fees and required course materials in 2010. It phases out at a modified adjusted gross income of $80,000 for individuals and $160,000 for joint filers. Form 8863 must be filed to claim this credit. Jessi Dolmage, spokeswoman for 2nd Story Software, Inc., the makers of TaxACT, recommends these steps: 1. Using the preview versions of TaxACT made available in early October for year-end tax planning and to get a head start on your 2010 federal return. 2. Reviewing your withholding. The Making Work Pay Credit is being distributed through decreased federal withholding, so having too little tax withheld may result in a smaller refund or more taxes owed. 3. Learning more about the ARRA at www.IRS.gov/recovery and www.TaxACT.com/recovery-act. |
Making the Right Decision For the Long Term
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/imagena.gif” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – As homeowners struggle with the recession and impact of declining home prices, some are considering whether to continue paying their mortgage or …/div/div
First Time Home Buyers: The Housing Market’s Key Players
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/NewHomeowners.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – First-time homebuyers, more than any other demographic, stand to benefit the most in today’s real estate market.
In fact, a recent survey …/div/div
Homeowners Can Save Thousands on 2009 Tax Returns
 NewsUSA) – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is making homeownership and green improvements more affordable. It essentially puts more money in homeowners’ pockets.
The First-Time Homebuyer Credit is for qualifying individuals who purchase a home between December 31, 2008 and December 1, 2009. Those who have not owned a principal residence at any time during the three years prior to the date of purchase can receive a credit of 10 percent of the home purchase price, up to $8,000. The credit phases out when modified adjusted gross income is $75,000 or $150,000 for joint filers. Married taxpayers must both qualify as first-time homebuyers in order to receive the full credit. The amount must be paid back only if the home ceases to be the owners’ principal residence within a period of 36 months that begins on the purchase date. The credit was initially created to be claimed after a home is purchased, but qualified taxpayers can now use it beforehand. Homebuyers with mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) could receive advanced credit that can be used for closing costs, fees and down payment beyond the FHA’s required 3.5 percent minimum. Although anyone can apply for an FHA-backed mortgage, there are limits on mortgage size, and lenders may charge a fee for advanced credit. Some states are offering similar programs. The Act also includes a credit equal to 30 percent, up to $1,500, for certain home energy improvements. The Residential Energy Property Credit can be claimed on 2009 and 2010 returns for improvements such as adding insulation or installing energy efficient windows, doors, or heating and air conditioning systems. Bigger improvements involving alternative energy equipment, including solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind turbines may be claimed on 2009 to 2016 returns under the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit. In addition to homeowner provisions, the Act includes several new or increased tax breaks. Learn which ones you qualify for starting in October when TaxACT releases preview versions of its 2009 software. Doing so allows you to plan ahead and start your return early. Learn details about the 2009 stimulus plan at www.IRS.gov, and visit TaxACT at www.TaxACT.com. |
Homeowners Can Save Thousands on 2009 Tax Returns
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/TaxBreaksforHome.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is making homeownership and green improvements more affordable. It essentially puts more money …/div/div
Facing Foreclosure? Don’t Lose Hope
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/MortgageHope.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Homeowners struggling to meet their mortgage payments should not wait until they default on a payment before speaking to their lender. Hope and …/div/div
Refinancing in a Down Market
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/MortgageHelp.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Falling home values are a cause for concern for millions of American homeowners, mortgage lenders and the federal government.
To help …/div/div
Green Building Makes Homes More Affordable
div img class=”category-img” src=”http://ftper.newsusa.com/Thumbnail/AffordableGreenHomes.jpg” alt=”Five words or less” width=”180″ //divdiv class=”category-listcontent”div class=”category-body” id=”ArticleBody” style=”display: block” (a href=”http://www.newsusa.com”NewsUSA/a) – Faced with increasing demand for low-income housing, public housing authorities are finding that investing in green building solutions can make …/div/div
