The economic recovery plan provides much needed help to Pennsylvanians seeking help coping with job loss, health care costs and other issues.  It also provides a boost to individuals looking to buy your first home, purchase a new vehicle, lower energy bills or pursue a higher education through a wide array of tax credits and information.

Weatherization Assistance
The Recovery Act allocates $252.8 million in federal funds for the Pennsylvania’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which helps low-income households decrease energy consumption and costs.  Using the federal funds, the state expects to weatherize nearly 30,000 housing units between 2009 and 2011 and put an estimated 940 people to work. Contact the weatherization provider in your county.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

• IRS ARRA Information Center
  
• Taxpayer Relief
  The “Making Work Pay” tax credit provides individuals earning up to $75,000 with a $400 tax credit in 2009 and 2010.  Married couples filing jointly and earning up to $150,000 will receive an $800 tax credit.
  
• Retirees, Disabled Individuals and SSI Recipients, Disabled Veterans and Railroad Retirees
  A one-time payment of $250 is available to all of these individuals.  Learn more.
  
• Federal and State Pensioners
  A one-time refundable tax credit of $250 is available to certain government retirees who are not eligible for Social Security benefits.
  
• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
  Low to moderate income individuals and working families with three or more children will benefit from a temporary increase in the federal tax credit. 
  
• Child Tax Credit
  Families will benefit from an increase in the refundable child tax credit in 2009 and 2010. 
  
• “American Opportunity” Education Tax Credit
  Individuals seeking a college education may qualify to receive a tax credit of up to $2,500 of the cost of tuition and related expenses for 2009 and 2010. 
  
• Computers as Qualified Education Expenses in 529 Education Plans
  Computers and computer technology now qualify as education expenses under the NowU Pennsylvania 529 Investment Plan.
  
• Refundable First-time Home Buyer Credit
  First-time homebuyers in 2009 may be eligible for up to an $8,000 tax credit that does not have to be paid back. 
  
• Sales Tax Deduction for Vehicle Purchases
  Deduct state and local sales and excise taxes on new car, light truck, recreational vehicle and motorcycle purchases in 2009.
  
• Temporary Suspension of Taxation of Unemployment Benefits
  There will be no federal income tax on the first $2,400 in unemployment benefits received by an individual in 2009. 
  
• Extension of Alternative Minimum Tax Relief for 2009
  AMT relief will be extended through 2009 for nonrefundable personal credits and the exemption amounts increased to $70,950 for joint filers and $46,700 for individuals.