Jackson Hewitt® Reminds Homeowners of Commonly Overlooked Tax Credits and Deductions

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeownership is a big a part of the American Dream. When that dream becomes a reality, there are many great tax breaks that can come along with it. This tax season, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® is reminding home-owning taxpayers to not overlook the many credits and deductions that can add thousands of dollars to their refund amounts.

"There are a wide variety of tax breaks available to existing homeowners and first-time homebuyers," says Mark Steber, chief tax officer, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Inc. "Speaking with a local, knowledgeable tax preparer can help ensure taxpayers take advantage of all the home ownership-related credits and deductions for which they are eligible."

For homeowners, Steber notes that there are several tax breaks available covering home-related areas, such as: 

• Mortgage Interest:
  The amount of mortgage interest paid on a principal residence or second home is deductible and generally reported on Form 1098. Taxpayers can also deduct all the points paid to purchase the residence, even if some have been paid by the seller. If certain requirements are met, the points may be deducted in full in the year paid. Otherwise, they may be deducted over the life of the mortgage. Seller-paid points that taxpayers claim as an itemized deduction reduce the cost basis of the home.
• Buying a Home:
  Most of the expenses incurred when buying a home are not deductible. However, there are certain closing costs that are added to the basis of your residence. Keeping track of the basis of your home is important because when selling, it is needed to calculate any gain or loss.
• Property Taxes:
  Taxpayers may deduct real estate property taxes in the year paid. They may be reported on Form 1098, the annual statement from the financial institution holding your mortgage. Taxpayers may also be able to deduct some of the taxes paid during closing. The taxes must be the responsibility of, and paid by, the taxpayer.
• Energy Credits:
  There are energy credits available for making energy efficient changes to a home. For 2011, the credit is limited to 10 percent of the cost of improvements, up to a lifetime total of $500. The credit will be further limited for each category of improvement.
• Home Improvements:
  Home improvements are not generally deductible on a tax return. Instead, the cost of improvements is added to the basis of the home and helps keep any gain below the $250,000 ($500,000 if married filing jointly) exclusion amount when the house is sold.

For those who find themselves in the unfortunate position of a foreclosure or short sale on their home, there are tax breaks available as well. Foreclosures and short sales are treated as both a home sale and a canceled debt. When the house is a taxpayer's primary residence, and they have lived in and owned the home for two of the last five years, any gain up to $500,000 on the disposition is tax-exempt. In addition, the canceled debt (mortgage still owed) is excluded from taxable income, as long as it is less than $2 million and is for the taxpayer's principal residence.

To learn more about home ownership-related tax benefits, please visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040 to find a local Jackson Hewitt office.

About Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.

Based in Parsippany, NJ, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. is an industry-leading provider of full service individual federal and state income tax preparation, with nearly 6,500 franchised and company-owned locations throughout the United States, including 2,800 located in Walmart stores nationwide. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service® also offers an online tax preparation product at www.jacksonhewittonline.com. For more information, or to locate your neighborhood Jackson Hewitt® office, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com or call 1-800-234-1040. Jackson Hewitt can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Contacts:

David G. Weselcouch                                                
Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.                                   
(973) 630-0809                                                                      
[email protected]             

Melissa Connerton                                                                 
CooperKatz & Company
(917) 595-3039                                                          
[email protected]    

SOURCE Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc.