Tag Archives: homeowners

Tax Breaks for Homeowners Survive in 2013

It’s tax season. If you’d hoped to file right away to get a quick refund, you may be out of luck if you are claiming such things as an energy-efficient-home credit, residential energy credits in general or a mortgage interest credit.

That’s because Congress’s last-minute fiscal cliff agreement in early January forced the IRS to get a late start on modifying the forms associated with those programs to reflect the tax law changes. Those forms are not expected to be available until late February or early March. If you’re in that boat, check http://www.irs.govduring the next few weeks for an announcement about when they will be ready.

Want to appeal your property tax rate?  Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com.

Homeowners, though, will get some breaks. First, for the present at least, Congress did not modify or repeal your right to deduct the mortgage interest you pay. There are, however, some limitations for high-income earners. If you are single and earn more than $400,000 (or more than $450,000 if married), personal exemptions will be phased out and itemized deductions will be limited. If you fall in that category, you must discuss your specific situation with your tax and financial advisers.

Read more at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/realestate/2013/01/31/a33e1e4e-6649-11e2-93e1-475791032daf_story.html

Disclaimer:  For information and entertainment purposes only

Fiscal Cliff Bill Extends Tax Relief for Struggling Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

Expiring tax exemptions for homeowners facing foreclosure, a relatively uncontroversial response to the foreclosure crisis that had lingered for months on Congress’ to-do list, will be extended in the fiscal cliff deal approved late Tuesday.

Debt canceled through a foreclosure, a short sale or a loan modification on a primary residence was considered taxable income until 2007’s Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act. Under the fiscal cliff bill passed by Congress and awaiting the president’s signature, that forgiven debt will remain untaxed for another year.

Don’t let the bank tell you what your home is worth; contact the appraisers at www.scappraisal.com for your home value questions.

Without an extension, short sales and loan modifications would have come with an increased tax burden on an already struggling homeowner. That would likely have pushed more to fight foreclosure, dragging out the impact of the foreclosure crisis on the housing market.

Read more at: http://www.oregonlive.com/front-porch/index.ssf/2013/01/fiscal_cliff_bill_extends_tax.html#incart_river

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Solar Customers Furious With Utility Over Proposed Rate Change

 
Homeowners who sank thousands of dollars into solar power systems are hopping mad at San Diego Gas & Electric Co.’s proposal to charge them for using the electrical grid.

On Monday, SDG&E filed a request to the California Public Utilities Commission that would allow it to separate how much it charges customers for electricity from how much it charges to transport that electricity. For traditional customers, the change would have little impact on their total bill. But solar customers would end up paying an average of $11 extra per month, according to utility spokeswoman Stephanie Donovan.

Read more: http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_8cd57b36-f4d3-58c7-bae7-09c3a31bdef1.html#ixzz1aJBIi535

 
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