2008 Changes
Important changes to the tax codes for filing your 2008 Tax Return
Expanded Tax Break Available for 2009 First-Time Homebuyers
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that taxpayers who qualify for the first-time homebuyer credit and purchase a home this year before Dec. 1 have a special option available for claiming the tax credit either on their 2008 tax returns due April 15 or on their 2009 tax returns next year. Qualifying taxpayers [...]
Education Savings Bond Exclusion
For 2008, the amount of your interest exclusion is phased out (gradually reduced) if your filing status is married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er) and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is between $100,650 and $130,650. You cannot take the deduction if your MAGI is $130,650 or more. For all other filing statuses, your interest [...]
Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits
Beginning in 2008, the following changes apply to the Hope and lifetime learning (education) credits. Income limits for credit reduction increased. For 2008, the amount of your Hope or lifetime learning credit is phased out (gradually reduced) if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is between $48,000 and $58,000 ($96,000 and $116,000 if you file [...]
Student Loan Interest Deduction
For 2008, the amount of the student loan interest deduction is phased out (gradually reduced) if your filing status is married filing jointly and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is between $115,000 and $145,000. You cannot take the deduction if your MAGI is $145,000 or more. For all other filing statuses, your student loan [...]
Tuition and Fees Deduction – New Form 8917
Beginning in 2007, in order to claim the tuition and fees deduction, you must complete Form 8917, Tuition and Fees Deduction, and file it with Form 1040 or Form 1040A. Previously, a worksheet was provided to help taxpayers figure the amount of the deduction. See Form 8917 and chapter 6 of Publication 970, Tax Benefits [...]
Child’s Investment Income
Increase in age of children whose investment income is taxed at parent’s rate. The rules regarding the age of a child whose investment income may be taxed at the parent’s tax rate will change for 2008. These rules will continue to apply to a child under age 18 at the end of the year but, [...]
