Recovery Act Benefits Extended

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 extended or expanded three provisions of ARRA: Emergency unemployment compensation, first time homebuyer credit, and business tax credits.

In states with more than 8.5% unemployment, 20 weeks of benefits were added to unemployment compensation; 14% in other states. Here is the link to find your state's unemployment office.

The deadline for buying your first home and receiving the $8,000 tax deduction has been extended to April 30, 2010. A similar credit of up to $6,500 applies to current homeowners who meet specific rules and buy new residences by April 30, 2010.

Refunds on certain taxes paid in prior years by businesses with net losses in 2008 were expanded to include businesses with net losses in 2009.