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White House serves up online tax-savings tool

Looking for last-minute advice in the days leading up to April 15? Financial consultants at the White House have unveiled an online tax-savings tool in order to help taxpayers be aware of credits made available by the Recovery Act.

A direct response to the economic crisis, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has caused the average income tax refund to increase more than $260, according to IRS data. This year, data is showing people taking advantage of the tax savings caused by the Recovery Act. Through March 12, 2010, the average refund is $3,036, up $226 from last year, according to an article on WebCPA.com.

Vice President Joe Biden says, “The big guys know all the credits and deductions to claim during tax season, but we want middle-class families to know just how much is out there for them this year thanks to the Recovery Act and how to take advantage of it,” Biden continues, “From help with college expenses to credits for cost-saving, energy-efficiency home improvements, these Recovery Act tax credits not only provide some needed relief for working Americans, but also help them invest in their families’ futures.”

As of March 22, 2010, data shows that less than half have filed their income taxes. If this is you, there is still time to take advantage of the Recovery Act. President Obama will be hosting a series of events across the nation to inform Americans of the act.

Want to check it out? Simply go to www.WhiteHouse.gov/Recovery, and answer a questionnaire. Questions asked include salary range, filing status, college expenses and recent home purchases.

Morning Deals: Calendars & taxes

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Survival tips to whip your tax returns into shape

Are your tax returns out of shape? Don't fret. In a three-part series focusing on how to survive the 2009 tax season, we've assembled a few tips to battle that post-recession bulge. No weights or cardio work necessary.

Time for part two, so whip out that No. 2 pencil once again.

Question: What positive actions can I take now in order to turn my tax return around?

Contribute to Haiti Relief
Help a great cause this spring. Make a cash donation before March 1, 2010, and it can be claimed on your 2009 tax return. Remember to itemize on your return in order for the contributions to be deductible. Have you made a donation via text message? Print a copy of your phone bill to receive a deduction.

Purchase a home
Thinking about buying a home? If you qualify for home-buyer credit, a home purchased before June 30, 2010 (the home contract must be in order by April 30) can be claimed on your 2009 tax return for up to $8000 in credit for first time home buyers or $6500 for long-time residents.

Give money to an HSA
Give money to a Health Savings Account if you were covered by a high deductible health care plan in 2009. This contribution will provide an above-the-line deduction. Limits are $3,000 for individuals, and $5,950 for families. There is also a $1000 catch for those age 55 and over.

Give money to an IRA
Contribute to an individual retirement account before April 15, 2010 for an above-the-line deduction. Limits are $5,000 for individuals with a $1,000 catch for those age 50 and over. Income levels over $65,000 for individuals and over $105,000 for families are not entitled to a deduction.

Click here for part one and here for part three of the three-part series.

Also, Consumer United has teamed up with TurboTax to make times a little easier. File your simple return for FREE with TurboTax Federal Free Edition. Click here to start saving.

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ends 2/28

TrialPay can help you get freebies online

Like free stuff? You're in luck.

With the economy in the dumps, you might hesitate before buying non-essential goodies like video games or pizza. But what if you could get those things for free by doing something you might already be inclined to do — like signing up for a trial of Netflix or getting a free subscription to TurboTax?

Here's how it works: Let's say you're perusing a movie ticket Web site like Fandango.com. If that site is working with TrialPay, you might be presented with the chance to get tickets not by paying for them directly, but simply by completing a purchase or trial offer with another company. If you're game, you can click to see a list of participating companies, such as Netflix.

As TrialPay's 27-year-old co-founder, Alex Rampell, describes it to the Associated Press, the service is "kind of like PayPal for people who don't pay."

Click here for the lowdown on TrialPay.

Save on a batch of home-related tax breaks

With Wednesday, April 15 looming large on the horizon and more and more Americans looking to make the most of every dollar, there are a few tax tips that could help save hundreds this spring.

Homeowners in particular are well-positioned to take advantage of these tax tips.

For example, homeowners are eligible for an additional standard deduction off of the standard deduction for property taxes. Single filers are eligible for a $500 deduction and $1000 for couples. This could make it more advantageous for some to take the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions.

Another beneficial new provision is the first-time homebuyers' credit which allows the homeowners to take up to a $7,500 credit against their income taxes in the year of purchase. The purchase must be made between April 9, 2008 and July 1, 2009. The best part is that to take the credit, it does not have to be the very first time a buyer has owned a home. To take the credit, the buyer must not have had an ownership interest in a home over the course of the three years prior to the purchase of the home.

Contributing to I.R.A.'s can also lessen a taxpayer's responsibility, and beginning in 2008, the maximum contribution increased to $5,000. The maximum amount increases by $1,000 for individuals who will be 50 by the end of the year. If you're running behind schedule, contributions made until April 15th 2009 will count toward 2008.

For more information and to ensure that you're not missing out on any tax breaks, visit the IRS site here for individuals. Also, TurboTax Online Federal Free Edition lets you file federal taxes online – FREE!

--Bridget O'Sullivan