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What the New Tax Bill Means for Your Clients

Understanding the Tax Provisions of the New Stimulus Bill

You’re about halfway through tax season now and suddenly you’re faced with
the new stimulus bill! Fortunately, most of its many provisions don’t take effect
until TY2009, which gives you plenty of time this summer and fall to really
dig into the tax implications. And many of the changes will simply be incorporated
into your professional tax compliance package, automatically performing the
new calculations.

But for those who want some earlier insight into how the new changes will affect
individual and business filers, and there are several, here’s a rundown of the
major tax-oriented provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax
Act of 2009, also known as the Stimulus Bill.

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1040 Clients

The Stimulus bill includes $287 billion in tax changes, primarily through
new or expanded credits and deductions. Among the most notable is the continued
band-aid approach to “fixing” the Alternative Minimum Tax.
The new law increases the single exemption to $46,700 and the joint filer exemption
to $70,950. This change is for TY2009.

The Making Work Pay Tax Credit has been likened to last year’s
rebate checks. But this credit won’t result in a direct payment to any
taxpayer, either by check or direct deposit. The $400 credit for individuals
and $800 for joint filers will be automatically applied to wage earners via
reduced payroll tax withholding (FICA), resulting in slightly higher paychecks.
For non-W-4 individuals, the credit will be available on their return for TY
2009 and 2010. Income phase-outs start at $75k/$150k. The credit also applies
to self-employment earnings to the extent that they’re considered in computing
taxable income.

There will be some checks mailed out, however, through Economic Recovery
Payments
. These payments (one time at $250) are only to specific low
income groups, such as those with no earned income, disabled veterans, railroad
retirees and Social Security recipients.

In the 2008 stimulus act, the First Time Homebuyer Credit was
created, giving a $7,500 repay-required credit to those who bought a first home
(or had 3+ years since last homeownership) between April 9, 2008 and Dec. 31,
2008. For 2009, this credit has been raised to $8,000 for buyers of homes during
calendar year 2009. If the home is sold within three years, the credit must
be repaid. After three years, it becomes a true credit. Income phase-outs for
this TY2009 credit start at $75k/$150k.

For tax years 2009 and 2010, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
has been increased to 45% (from 40%) of the first $12,750 of earned income for
taxpayers who have three or more (used to be two) qualifying children. This
results in a maximum net increase of about $628. The 40% EITC rate is still
effect for filers with two children. Additionally, the income phase-out for
joint filers has been increased by $1,880.

Also for tax years 2009 and 2010, the refundable part of the Child
Tax Credit
has been increased, and the income threshold has been decreased
to $3,000 from a 2008 amount of $8,000. This credit is worth up to 15% of earned
income exceeding $3,000, up to $1,000 per child under 17.

The Hope Credit has been increased, expanded to include more types of expenses,
and renamed the American Opportunity Tax Credit for tax years
2009 and 2010. The credit has been raised to up to $2,500 per year, per student,
and can be used for up to four years of college. The credit is calculated based
on educational expenses paid out, with 100% of the first $2,000 being directly
creditable, and 25% of the next $2,000 in expenses. Up to 40% of the credit
is also now refundable. Under the new guidelines, necessary course materials
(including text books and computers) are now considered as qualifying expenses.
Income phase-outs are increased to $80k/$160k.

The qualifying tax-free educational expenses for Qualified Tuition
Programs (529 Plans)
has also been expanded to include course materials
and computers for tax years 2009 and 2010.

A New Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction is available to individuals
and businesses that purchase a new passenger vehicle, light truck, SUV, motorcycle
or motor homes during tax year 2009. The deduction is toward the taxes paid
on the first $49,500 of the vehicle purchase price and is available to filers
with or without itemizing. Income phase-outs are set at $125k/$250k.

The number of vehicles eligible for the $7,500 Low-Speed Electric Vehicle
Tax Credit
has been increased to 200,000 vehicles per manufacturer.

The Residential Energy-Efficient Property Credit no longer
has individual dollar caps for solar hot water property, geothermal heat pumps,
and wind energy property.

Business Clients, Including Sch. C

The 50% Bonus Depreciation rules set in last year’s
bill have been extended to be in effect for all of calendar year 2009. Additionally,
an extra year of bonus depreciation is available for some fixed assets through
2010. As an alternative to the 50% bonus depreciation, businesses can monetize
accumulated R&D and AMT credits. The option is available for property that
qualifies for bonus depreciation and was placed in service through 2009.

The new law also offers Increased Vehicle Depreciation Caps
for vehicles purchased in 2009. Caps are now set at $10,960 for autos and $11,160
for light trucks, SUVs and vans.

Last year’s stimulus act increased the amount of qualifying Sec.
179 Expenses
that businesses can claim from $125,000 to $250,000. The
2009 bill continues this level, with a cap of $800,000.

Many Sch. C individuals will have Reduced Estimated Taxes for
the remainder of TY 2009. Ordinarily, estimated quarterly payments are 25% of
the whole of last year’s tax burden or underpayment. For 2009, these payments
will be adjusted to 25% of 90% of last year’s return. It is not a credit,
since any underpayment will still be due when filing, but no fees will be assessed
for the 10% shortage. The reduced payments are available only to individuals
with under $500k adjusted gross income, and who realized more than 50% of their
total gross income from a small business.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (a.k.a. the “new-hire
credit”) has been expanded, giving businesses credits of up to $9,000
for new hires from specific groups, including recipients of family assistance
and disabled veterans. New groups have been added at a $2,400 credit, including
unemployed non-disabled veterans and “disconnected youth.” These
credits are currently in effect through 2010.

A new Business Capital Gains Relief provision lets small
business owners to exclude 75% of the gain from the sale of certain Qualified
Small Business Stock (QSBS). Businesses must have been held for five years or
longer, and be active with $50 million or less in assets.

Businesses shouldn’t fear the New COBRA Continuation provisions,
which have a former employer paying 65% of the COBRA coverage, since employers
can receive a credit, through withholding and payroll taxes, equal to the actual
cost increase.

The tax-free limit on transportation and Transit Fringe Benefits (mass
transit, carpools, etc) that employers offer their employees is now increased
to $230 per month and will be pegged to inflation.

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Once again, don’t panic. Most of these tax law changes have no effect
on business or individual filers for tax year 2008. So, there’s plenty
of time to sign up for a CPE-eligible course somewhere near a beach. Now, stop
daydreaming and get back to those 1040s.