US Department of Labor announces final rule for Unemployment Compensation Program funding goals

/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration today announced a final rule regarding the Unemployment Compensation Program. This rule implements federal legislation requiring the department to establish criteria for states to qualify for interest-free federal loans for the payment of unemployment compensation.

"The past few years have really tested the unemployment programs. For that reason, and the future health of unemployment trust funds, it is especially important that states make reasonable efforts to maintain the solvency of their unemployment compensation systems before receiving interest-free federal loans," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

The Social Security Act provides for the federal government to make advances to states that deplete their unemployment trust fund accounts. This arrangement ensures that eligible unemployed workers receive benefits to which they are entitled. These advances are generally interest-bearing; however, states may obtain interest-free advances under certain conditions. Under current law, states owe no interest on amounts they obtain from the federal government during a calendar year if the advances are repaid by Sept. 30 of the same year and no additional advances are made that year.

The purpose of the legislation spurring today's final rule was to encourage states to adequately forward fund their unemployment compensation systems to minimize the need for advances. The final rule conditions a state's receipt of interest-free advances upon the state meeting new funding goals as well as existing requirements.

The rule requires that a state:

1) meet a solvency goal based on a generally accepted measure of trust fund solvency in at least one of the five years preceding the year the advance occurs; and

2) has had no significant tax reductions in the years between the last that the solvency measure was met and the year in which the advance occurs.

Implementation of the final rule will be phased in beginning in 2014 in order to allow states additional time to repay current advances and build sufficient reserves to meet the new requirements for interest-free loans. Full implementation will occur in 2019.

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US Real Estate Markets Moving Toward Recovery

/PRNewswire/ -- The US economy is recovering and it is beginning to show in job growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an increase of 290,000 jobs for April. The largest share, 27.5% was in professional and business services with 80,000 new jobs. The federal government followed with 66,000 new temporary workers to assist with the decennial census. Health care also grew, adding 20,000 workers and increasing its year-to-date total to 244,000. For the year, employment has expanded by 573,000 with 483,000 or 84% added to the private sector.

Meanwhile, unemployment increased from 9.7% to 9.9%, which oddly is a "good" sign. The increase is the result of people re-entering the employment market; meaning the economy is starting to recover in earnest. Thus far, the data is reflecting the traditional pattern of a slowly recovering economy.

Looking at past recessions the 1980s appears to be the most similar. It was capital constrained much like we are today. In the 1990s we were over-built and had the S & L crisis to resolve. The cry was "stay alive to '95." In early 2000 we had the dot com crisis and accounting scandals. Looking at the recession of the early 1980s as a guide, it may be 3 years or more before life begins to feel like "normal." The recession of the 1980s lasted 16 months running from July 1981 to November 1982. As a result of that downturn, unemployment peaked in November of 1982 at 10.8%. From that point it took 38 months for the economy to fully recover and for unemployment to fall below 7.0%. It was another 10 months before the economy was consistently below 7.0%. So, full recovery this cycle is likely 3 years away with an optimal selling period 3 to 4 years away at the earliest. Current signals suggest now is an optimal buying period.

Thus far, the current economy is consistent with expected patterns and our forecasts. Other data is also suggesting recovery. This is further illustrated in the most recently available quarterly data extracted from the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF). Beginning in the second quarter of 2009, decreases in total returns began to steadily abate, and as of the most recent quarter turned slightly positive. This offers another strong signal that the market has reached bottom and is beginning to turn upward. This is also a strong signal that we are entering an optimal buying period.

With the use of our research Blumberg Capital Partners, our parent organization recognized this cyclical pattern early, and sold its assets between 2006 and 2008, near the cycle peak and closed its prior Fund. Now the trend is reflecting a market nearing bottom and moving toward recovery. In response, Philip Blumberg CEO of Blumberg Capital Partners is launching a new fund, the Blumberg Strategic Asset Fund and is again looking to acquire assets.
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New Tax Law Changes Can Help Millions of Taxpayers Save Money

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As we near the final days of 2008, what continues to weigh heavy on the minds of many people is the slowing U.S. economy -- unemployment has reached the highest percentage in years at 6.7 percent*, layoffs and business closures continue and the housing market remains weak. This year, lawmakers have passed more than a hundred new tax law changes intended to help millions of individual taxpayers. Jackson Hewitt Tax Service(R) encourages taxpayers to find out how these new tax credits and deductions can help lower their individual tax liability and possibly put more money back in their pockets this tax season.

"With more than a hundred pro-taxpayer credits and deductions, many taxpayers will qualify for new benefits that may not have been available last year," said Mark Steber, vice president of tax resources at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service. "Taxpayers affected by these changes could see significant savings, and with the current recession, it is even more important that taxpayers get all of the tax benefits they deserve."

Tax Law Changes
Steber outlines some money-saving tax law changes for 2008, including:

-- Economic Stimulus Payment and Recovery Rebate Credit: This initiative
is a two-phased program consisting of the economic stimulus payment
and the recovery rebate credit. Phase one was the economic stimulus
payment which was an advanced payment of the projected amount of
recovery rebate credit available on the taxpayer's 2008 return. Phase
two is the 2008 component of the program, so taxpayers who did not
receive their full economic stimulus payment in 2008 may qualify for
the remainder as a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2008 tax returns.
For example, Jane, a single taxpayer, filed her 2007 tax return in
February 2008. She filed single, without children, and received a
$600 economic stimulus payment. In November, Jane gave birth to a
baby girl. Because she had a child in 2008, Jane may be eligible for
an additional $300 credit when she files her 2008 tax return and
claims her child as a dependent.

-- Mortgage Debt Forgiveness Relief Act: Homeowners who experienced
foreclosure on their primary home can exclude the cancelled debt
amount from their taxable income. For example, a married couple
filing jointly with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $35,000, and a
home foreclosure that includes $10,000 in cancelled debt, could
decrease their tax liability by $1,500 under this act. In the past,
the $10,000 of cancelled debt would have been considered taxable
income to the individual that owed the debt. The home must meet the
following criteria:
-- It must be the taxpayer's main residence
-- The amount of debt forgiven cannot exceed $2,000,000
-- The loan must have been used to buy, build or substantially
improve the home.

-- Housing Assistance Tax Act: Taxpayers who pay real estate taxes and
are not otherwise eligible to itemize deductions can increase their
standard deduction amount by the lesser of:
-- Real estate taxes paid in 2008 OR
-- $500 ($1,000 if married filing jointly)


For example, a married couple filing jointly with an income of $28,000 that did not itemize their tax return but paid $1,200 in real estate taxes in 2008 could increase their standard deduction amount by $1,000. This additional standard deduction would decrease their tax liability by $100.

-- Additional Child Tax Credit: The Additional Child Tax Credit is a
refundable credit. This year, the income threshold has been decreased
to $8,500 from $12,050, allowing certain taxpayers to qualify for up
to $533 more per child in a potential refund. For example, a single
parent with two children and an income of $15,000 would receive a
refund of $5,799. Before the change, the potential refund amount
would have been $5,266.

-- First Time Homebuyers Credit: Taxpayers who purchased a new home for
the first time after April 8, 2008, may qualify for a refundable
credit up to $7,500. Part of the American Housing Rescue and
Foreclosure Prevention Act, this refundable tax credit works like an
interest-free loan for all qualified taxpayers. The credit must be
paid back in equal parts over a period of 15 years beginning in 2010.

Extending expired tax benefits
Lawmakers also extended several expired tax benefits, including:
-- Tax-free charitable donations for taxpayers 70.5 or older who choose
to direct up to a $100,000 donation from a traditional or Roth IRA
directly to a charitable organization.
-- A two-year extension of the Educator Expense Deduction which allows
teachers an above-the-line tax deduction of up to $250 for
out-of-pocket classroom expenses.
-- A two-year extension of the Qualified Tuition Deduction which allows
students to directly deduct up to $4,000 of qualified tuition and fees
paid to a college or trade school.
-- A two-year extension to the sales tax deduction. Taxpayers can claim
the greater of their state and local income taxes paid or their state
and local sales taxes paid when itemizing deductions. This is of
particular interest to taxpayers that live in states with little or no
income tax and those that purchased high-ticket items during the year.


"These are just some of the changes in the tax laws this year," added Steber. "Taxpayers should consult a trained tax preparer this year in particular, to ensure they don't miss out on the benefits available as a result of these new credits and deductions or any other commonly overlooked deductions. Clearly it is even more important this year that taxpayers ensure they get back the money they deserve or keep more money in their pockets."

Unemployed in 2008

For those taxpayers who were unemployed in 2008, it is important to remember that unemployment compensation is taxable on federal and most state tax returns. Income tax is not automatically withheld from unemployment compensation, however, individuals can elect to have taxes deducted. If you did not have taxes withheld throughout the year, you may have a potential balance due when you file your 2008 income taxes.

For those taxpayers looking for a job during 2008, there are deductible costs they can claim if they itemize deductions, including:

-- Mileage costs accrued on a personal vehicle while job hunting
including trips to job interviews and to the unemployment office.
Between January 1, 2008, and June 30, 2008, taxpayers can claim 50.5
cents per mile. Between July 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, taxpayers
can claim 58.5 cents per mile.
-- Costs for creating, printing and mailing a resume
-- Costs for a headhunter or job placement agency
-- Transportation costs such as a bus, taxi, train or plane to an
interview
-- Meals and lodging if out of town for an interview
-- Parking and tolls when driving to an interview
-- Long distance or mobile phone call charges directly associated with a
job search
-- Business research services
-- Physical exam expenses if required by a potential employer


If a taxpayer accepted a new job which required relocation, he or she may be able to deduct qualified moving expenses not reimbursed by the new employer. Taxpayers should keep receipts related to all moving expenses in order to substantiate these expenses.

For more information, including a list of the most commonly overlooked deductions, credits and updates on recent tax changes, visit www.jacksonhewitt.com.

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Money Management Tips for the Newly Unemployed

PRNewswire/ -- With the nation's unemployment remaining high, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta today reminds people who have lost their jobs to continue paying their bills on time and managing their credit wisely during this difficult period.

Managing your credit during unemployment is critical since having good credit is a requirement for some jobs. "Some people have the professional and education background for a new position, but may have an inability to pay bills on time," says Mechel Glass, CCCS of Greater Atlanta's director of education. "Failing to manage your finances during unemployment could affect your credit report and hurt your chances of landing a new job."

As part of its education mission, the national nonprofit credit counseling agency teaches classes on money management. Below are some money management tips to help people through a period of unemployment, as well as long-term tactics to implement once they have a new job.

Short-Term Money Management Tips

People who have recently lost a job should determine if they are eligible for unemployment benefits from their state Department of Labor. While state laws vary, a person is often eligible for benefits as long as they have not received a severance package from their employer or receive retirement income.

Once you have lost a job, consider the following tactics:
-- Make looking for a new job your full-time job. It may take several
months for people in some professional and financial services to find a
new job. Each day you need to network with friends and former
colleagues, look for jobs online and apply for new positions.


Plenty of assistance is available. For example:
-- Contact Angel Food Ministries to obtain food at the lowest possible
cost. The organization can be reached at 1.877.366.3646 or
angelfood@angelfoodministries.com.
-- Call United Way at 211 to find out about other low-cost services, such
as day care.
-- If you are paying off a student loan, contact the financial company
servicing the loan to find out if you can defer or reduce your
payments.
-- Contact the financial company servicing your automobile loan to see if
you can make a similar arrangement.
-- Make at least the minimum monthly payments on your credit card
accounts. If that is impossible, contact your lender, explain your
loss of income and advise them when you will be able to resume making
payments.
-- If you cannot make your mortgage payment, contact a mortgage counselor
at 1-888-995-HOPE.
-- Consider downsizing your lifestyle by reducing expenses such as club
and gym memberships, cable television, bottled water and movies. Find
ways to reduce "everyday" expenses, such as telephone use and dining
out at restaurants. For example, families with cell phones for each
person may not need a land line and cooking all meals at home could
easily save a family hundreds of dollars each month.


Long-Term Money Management Tips

Many people now unemployed formerly worked in high-income professional jobs, such as those in the mortgage, real estate or securities industries, and may not find a new job paying as much money. They should consider a change in their lifestyles to meet their financial obligations in the future. Here are some tips to do that:

-- Develop a new, realistic budget that will enable you to pay for
essential expenses and bills before any extra or luxury items. Consider
developing a budget so you can live on 70 percent of your new income,
with the remaining 30 percent used for savings and investments.
-- Consider selling your car, especially if you have a high monthly
payment, and purchase a less expensive model with smaller monthly
payments.
-- If it's difficult to make your mortgage payment each month and you can
live in a smaller home, consider putting your home up for sale. While
home prices are depressed, it may be a better long-term solution to
live in a home you can afford.

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