 Greetings from MassResources.org
... a free online resource for Massachusetts residents in need of housing, food, health care, and other basic services.
In this issue of the newsletter, as the April 15 tax deadlines near, we highlight federal tax credits, especially the expanded Earned Income Credit, Child Tax Credit, Homebuyer Tax Credit, and Education Tax Credits.
In our sidebar, we focus on help for the unemployed, including unemployment insurance benefits, job programs, and health insurance subsidies.
We hope you find MassResources.org to be a valuable resource for you and the people you help. We thank you for your continued support and interest.
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| Earned Income Credit and Child Tax Credit |
 Two valuable income tax credits for workers and for families with children have been expanded for tax year 2009.
Earned Income Credit (EIC)
The Earned Income Credit lowers taxes and often gives a refund payment to individuals and families who earn low to moderate wages, especially working families with children.
The 2009 EIC expansion increases the credit for working families with three or more children to 45% of qualifying income, up to a maximum credit of $5657. The expansion also increases the income limits for married working families filing a joint return so that more families qualify for the credit.
 Child Tax Credit (CTC)
The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit, up to $1000 per qualifying child, for low and moderate income families with dependent children under age 17. The credit is limited to the amount of taxes a family owes.
Families with earned income who do not owe enough taxes to get the full Child Tax Credit may be eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC). The Additional Child Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that allows families who don't owe any taxes, or owe less than their full CTC amount, to get a refund payment from the government.
The amount of earned income that a family needs to qualify for the ACTC has been lowered this year to $3000, allowing more families to qualify for a refund. Read more about the Child Tax Credit.
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| Homebuyer Tax Credit |
 The White House extended and expanded the homebuyer tax credit to include homes purchased after November 6, 2009 and before July 1, 2010. First-time homebuyers and non-first-time homebuyers are eligible.
The tax credit is worth 10% of the home's purchase price, up to a maximum credit of $8000 for first-time homebuyers, and $6500 for non-first-time homebuyers. The tax credit is refundable and does not have to be repaid.
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| Education and Other Federal Tax Credits |
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Education tax credits help offset the costs of college tuition, fees, and other education related expenses.
The American Opportunity Tax Credit replaced the Hope Credit this year, increasing the maximum credit to $2500 per student per year and allowing credit for books and supplies as well as tuition and fees. The credit can be used for the first four years of college and is 40% refundable.
The Lifetime Learning Credit, a nonrefundable education tax credit, equals 20% of allowed expenses, up to $2000 per year per family. This credit can be used for graduate and professional study, as well as undergraduate education.
Other important federal tax credits include:
- Making Work Pay, a tax credit that most workers received in their paychecks throughout the year. The credit equals 6.2% of earned income, up to $400 ($800 married filing jointly)
- Child and Dependent Care Credit, a nonrefundable tax credit that helps working parents pay for child care or other dependent care.
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| Winter Energy Assistance |
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Assistance is still available for Massachusetts residents who need help paying for heat this winter:
- LIHEAP Fuel Assistance: Maximum benefits increased to $1240 for households that heat with delivered fuels (oil, propane, etc.), and $1055 for households that use utility fuels (gas and electricity).
- Citizens Energy Heat Assistance Programs: The application deadline for the Oil Heat Program is February 26.
- The Good Neighbor Energy Fund: Eligible households with incomes up to 80% of the state median ($74,681 for a family of four) get $300 in benefits.
- Utility and telephone discounts are available to customers who receive public assistance benefits and meet income limits.
- Utility Arrearage Programs offer payment plans and debt forgiveness to help residents with overdue utility bills.
- MassSAVE helps homeowners and renters get free energy assessments, energy-saving products, loans, rebates, and information about other ways to lower their energy bills.
 A reminder: Senior households, low-income families with infants, people with serious illnesses who cannot afford to pay their utility bills, tenants whose landlords are responsible for utility bills, and low-income people who would be without heat during the winter are eligible for Utility Shutoff Protection.
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| Donations and Sponsorships |
As a small, independent, nonprofit, we rely solely on private donations and sponsorships to run MassResources.org. We thank everyone who has donated to MassResources.org, and we welcome our newest sponsor:
Donations: If you use the MassResources.org web site and find the information helpful, please consider making a donation.
Sponsorships: If you would like to support MassResources.org and make your organization more visible to the many Massachusetts residents who use our site, please consider becoming a sponsor.
© Copyright 2010
Community Resources Information, Inc.
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| Help for the Unemployed |
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Massachusetts has many programs for residents who have lost their jobs and are looking for work.
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Unemployment Insurance gives cash payments to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The first $2400 is not taxable. Workers may be eligible for up to 99 weeks of benefits.
One-Stop Career Centers have job listings, career counseling services, information about job training programs, and other services for job seekers. Most services are free.
Adult and Dislocated Worker Program
Apprenticeship Training
Job Corps
Senior Aide Program
Trade Adjustment Assistance
YouthBuild
Training Opportunities Program
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The federal COBRA subsidy covers 65% of COBRA monthly health insurance premiums for unemployed workers and their families, for up to 15 months. The subsidy is set to expire February 28 but may be extended.
The Medical Security Plan pays 80% of health insurance premiums, or provides direct coverage, for Mass. residents who get unemployment benefits.
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| Web Site Updates |
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Recent updates to MassResources.org include:
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| Brochures |
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Help us spread the word about MassResources.org by giving copies of our brochure to your co-workers and clients.
Our brochure lists the types of assistance programs covered on our web site, and also describes special features such as the Benefit Screener and Eligibility Checks.
To request copies, send us an e-mail using this link: Request Brochures. Please include your name, organization, mailing address, and the number of brochures you need.
You can also download and print copies of the brochure in PDF format from our Brochure page.
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| Feedback |
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We hope you have found this newsletter useful. Please share it with your friends and co-workers by using the "Forward e-mail" link at the bottom of the page.
If you have comments or suggestions about this newsletter, we would like to hear from you. Please send us an e-mail using this link: Newsletter Feedback.
Thank you for your continued interest in MassResources.org.
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