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Key Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Tax Provisions

  • $8,000 first-time home buyer, true tax credit (no repayment) for the purchase of a principle residence between January 1 and December 1, 2009. Recaptured if home is sold within three years. Removes the restriction on the use of tax credit proceeds with Housing Finance Agency-issued tax exempt mortgage revenue bonds.
  • Short-term gap financing for Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects:

1. Provision allowing states to turn in portion of 2009 LIHTC allocations for cash.

2. Special appropriation of $2 billion in HOME funds.

  • Up to a ten-year deferral of tax from business debt canceled as part of a repurchase or restructuring.
  • 5-year carryback of 2008 net operating losses for businesses with gross receipts of less than $15 million (three year average).
  • Extension of enhanced bonus depreciation.
  • Extension of increased small business expensing.
  • Enhancements to the section 25C program for energy efficiency remodeling improvements to existing homes.
  • One-year patch of the Alternative Minimum Tax.
  • Increase New Markets Tax Credit allocating authority for 2008 and 2009.
  • Delays for one year the start of 3% government contractor withholding requirement.

Appropriations Provisions

  • $2 billion for full year payments to owners of Section 8 project based rental assistance properties.
  • $2.25 billion through HOME program and Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to fill financing gaps.
  • $1 billion for CDBG.
  • $2 billion for Neighborhood stabilization program.
  • $1.5 billion for homelessness prevention activities (help with rents, etc).
  • $250 million for energy retrofitting and green investments in HUD assisted projects.
  • $1 billion for Section 502 direct loans under the Rural Housing Service.
  • $10.4 billion for Section 502 guaranteed loans under the Rural Housing Service.
  • $27.5 billion for highway spending.

Other Key Provision

  • Increases in FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan limits to 2008 levels.

Posted Tuesday Feb 17