taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP3caf1159taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP0c6f19d0If you were born before January 2, 1944, or were blind at the end of 2008, check the appropriate box(es) on line 39a. If you were married and checked the box on Form 1040, line 6b, and your spouse was born before January 2, 1944, or was blind at the end of 2008, also check the appropriate box(es) for your spouse. Be sure to enter the total number of boxes checked.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP7de3444dIf you were partially blind as of December 31, 2008, you must get a statement certified by your eye doctor or registered optometrist that:
- You cannot see better than 20/200 in your better eye with glasses or contact lenses, or
- Your field of vision is 20 degrees or less.
If your eye condition is not likely to improve beyond the conditions listed above, you can get a statement certified by your eye doctor or registered optometrist to this effect instead.
You must keep the statement for your records.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP167cc7e3If your filing status is married filing separately (box 3 is checked), and your spouse itemizes deductions on his or her return, check the box on line 39b. Also check that box if you were a dual-status alien. But if you were a dual-status alien and you file a joint return with your spouse who was a U.S. citizen or resident alien at the end of 2008 and you and your spouse agree to be taxed on your combined worldwide income, do not check the box.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP2ada44e7If you did not check the box on line 39b, your standard deduction is increased by:
- Certain state and local real estate taxes you paid, and
- Your net disaster loss.
Your standard deduction is increased by the state and local real estate taxes you paid, up to $500 ($1,000 if married filing jointly). The real estate taxes must be taxes that would have been deductible on Schedule A if you had itemized your deductions. Taxes deductible in arriving at adjusted gross income (such as taxes on business real estate) and taxes on foreign real estate cannot be used to increase your standard deduction.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP6fcec63dYour standard deduction is increased by your net disaster loss. Your net disaster loss is your personal casualty losses from a federally declared disaster minus any personal casualty gains. This amount is shown on Form 4684, line 18a.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP01c62ec3Check the box on line 39c if you are claiming the standard deduction and it includes real estate taxes or a net disaster loss. Then see the instructions for line 40, next.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP09793280taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP665e9900In most cases, your federal income tax will be less if you take the larger of your itemized deductions or standard deduction.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP0ded1f69To figure your itemized deductions, fill in Schedule A.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP33aec26b | If you checked the box on line 39b, your standard deduction is zero, even if you were born before January 2, 1944, were blind, paid real estate taxes, or had a net disaster loss. |
Most people can find their standard deduction by looking at the amounts listed under
All others
to the left of Form 1040, line 40. But use the worksheet below to figure your standard deduction if:
- You, or your spouse if filing jointly, can be claimed as a dependent on someone's 2008 return,
- You checked any box on line 39a,
- You paid state or local real estate taxes in 2008, or
- You have a net disaster loss on Form 4684, line 18a.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#w24811v10 | Standard Deduction Worksheet—Line 40 | | Do not complete this worksheet if you checked the box on line 39b; your standard deduction is zero. | | | 1. | | Enter the amount shown below for your filing status. | | | | | | | | | | - Single or married filing separately—$5,450
- Married filing jointly or Qualifying widow(er)—$10,900
|  | | 1. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2. | | Can you (or your spouse if filing jointly) be claimed as a dependent? | | | | | | | | |  No. | Skip line 3; enter the amount from line 1 on line 4. | | | | | | | | | | | Yes. | Go to line 3. | | | | | | | | | 3. | | Is your earned income* more than $600? | | | | | | | | | | | Yes. | Add $300 to your earned income. Enter the total | | . | 3. | | | | | | | | No. | Enter $900 | | | | | | | | | 4. | | Enter the smaller of line 1 or line 3. | 4. | | | | 5. | | If born before January 2, 1944, or blind, multiply the number on Form 1040, line 39a, by $1,050 ($1,350 if single or head of household). Otherwise, enter -0- | 5. | | | | 6. | | Enter any net disaster loss from Form 4684, line 18a. If more than zero, check the box on Form 1040, line 39c | 6. | | | | 7. | | Enter the state and local real estate taxes you paid that would be deductible on Schedule A, line 6, if you were itemizing your deductions. See the instructions for Schedule A, line 6. Do not include foreign real estate taxes | 7. | | | | | | 8. | | Enter $500 ($1,000 if married filing jointly) | 8. | | | | | | 9. | | Enter the smaller of line 7 or line 8. If more than zero, check the box on Form 1040, line 39c | 9. | | | | 10. | | Add lines 4, 5, 6, and 9. Enter the total here and on Form 1040, line 40. | 10. | | | | * Earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, professional fees, and other compensation received for personal services you performed. It also includes any amount received as a scholarship that you must include in your income. Generally, your earned income is the total of the amount(s) you reported on Form 1040, lines 7, 12, and 18, minus the amount, if any, on line 27. |
|
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP54c7a684taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP52e99661taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP1787c4e4You may be able to claim an additional exemption amount of $500 per person (up to $2,000) if you provided housing to a person who was displaced from his or her main home because of the storms, tornadoes, or flooding in a Midwestern disaster area and all of the following apply.
- The person displaced lived in your main home for at least 60 consecutive days in 2008.
- You did not receive any rent or other amount from any source for providing the housing.
- The main home of the person displaced was in a Midwestern disaster area on the date the storms, tornadoes, or flooding occurred.
- The person displaced was not your spouse or dependent.
For details, see Form 8914.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP15409e5eUse the Deduction for Exemptions Worksheet below to figure your deduction for exemptions unless you are filing Form 8914.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#w24811v08 | Deduction for Exemptions Worksheet—Line 42 | 1. | | Is the amount on Form 1040, line 38, more than the amount shown on line 4 below for your filing status? | | | | | No. |  | Multiply $3,500 by the total number of exemptions claimed on Form 1040, line 6d, and enter the result on Form 1040, line 42. | | | | | | Yes. | Continue  | | | | 2. | | Multiply $3,500 by the total number of exemptions claimed on Form 1040, line 6d | 2. | | | | 3. | | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 38 | 3. | | | | | 4. | | Enter the amount shown below for your filing status. | | | | | | | - Single—$159,950
- Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)—$239,950
- Married filing separately—$119,975
- Head of household—$199,950
| | | 4. | | | | | 5. | | Subtract line 4 from line 3 | 5. | | | | | 6. | | Is line 5 more than $122,500 ($61,250 if married filing separately)? | | | | | | | | Yes. | Multiply $2,333 by the total number of exemptions claimed on Form 1040, line 6d. Enter the result here and on Form 1040, line 42. Do not complete the rest of this worksheet. | | | | | | | | | No. | Divide line 5 by $2,500 ($1,250 if married filing separately). If the result is not a whole number, increase it to the next higher whole number (for example, increase 0.0004 to 1) | 6. | | | | | | 7. | | Multiply line 6 by 2% (.02) and enter the result as a decimal | 7. | . | | | 8. | | Multiply line 2 by line 7 | 8. | | | | 9. | | Divide line 8 by 3.0 | 9. | | | | 10. | | Deduction for exemptions. Subtract line 9 from line 2. Enter the result here and on
Form 1040, line 42 | 10. | | | | | |
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taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP2a6dcd69taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP7db9185bInclude in the total on line 44 all of the following taxes that apply.
- Tax on your taxable income. Figure the tax using one of the methods described on this page and page 37.
- Tax from Form 8814 (relating to the election to report child's interest or dividends). Check the appropriate box.
- Tax from Form 4972 (relating to lump-sum distributions). Check the appropriate box.
- Recapture of an education credit. You may owe this tax if you claimed an education credit in an earlier year, and either tax-free educational assistance or a refund of qualified expenses was received in 2008 for the student. See Form 8863 for more details. Enter the amount and
ECR
in the space next to line 44.
Do you want the IRS to figure the tax on your taxable income for you?
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP4f42a67eSee Pub. 967 for details, including who is eligible and what to do. If you have paid too much, we will send you a refund. If you did not pay enough, we will send you a bill.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP700dd986Use one of the following methods to figure your tax.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP7ac567e7If your taxable income is less than $100,000, you must use the Tax Table that begins on page 68 to figure your tax. Be sure you use the correct column. If your taxable income is $100,000 or more, use the Tax Computation Worksheet on
page 80.
However, do not use the Tax Table or Tax Computation Worksheet to figure your tax if any of the following applies.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP354b5ec5Form 8615 generally must be used to figure the tax for any child who had more than $1,800 of investment income, such as taxable interest, ordinary dividends, or capital gains (including capital gain distributions) and who either:
- Was under age 18 at the end of 2008,
- Was age 18 at the end of 2008 and did not have earned income that was more than half of the child's support, or
- Was a full-time student over age 18 and under age 24 at the end of 2008 and did not have earned income that was more than half of the child's support.
But if the child files a joint return for 2008 or if neither of the child's parents was alive at the end of 2008, do not use Form 8615 to figure the child's tax.
A child born on January 1, 1991, is considered to be age 18 at the end of 2008; a child born on January 1, 1990, is considered to be age 19 at the end of 2008; a child born on January 1, 1985, is considered to be age 24 at the end of 2008.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP7a4613aeIf you have to file Schedule D and Schedule D, line 18 or 19, is more than zero, use the Schedule D Tax Worksheet on page D-10 of the Instructions for Schedule D to figure your tax.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP40dc5c21If you do not have to use the Schedule D Tax Worksheet (see this page), use the worksheet on page 38 to figure your tax if any of the following applies.
- You reported qualified dividends on Form 1040, line 9b.
- You do not have to file Schedule D and you reported capital gain distributions on Form 1040, line 13.
- You are filing Schedule D and Schedule D, lines 15 and 16, are both more than zero.
If you had income from farming or fishing (including certain amounts received in connection with the Exxon Valdez litigation), your tax may be less if you choose to figure it using income averaging on Schedule J.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP4703cff4If you claimed the foreign earned income exclusion, housing exclusion, or housing deduction on Form 2555 or Form 2555-EZ, you must figure your tax using the worksheet below.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#w24811v39 | Foreign Earned Income Tax Worksheet—Line 44 If Form 1040, line 43, is zero, do not complete this worksheet. | 1. | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 43 | 1. | | | 2. | Enter the amount from your (and your spouse's, if filing jointly) Form 2555, lines 45 and 50, or Form 2555-EZ, line 18 | 2. | | | 3. | Add lines 1 and 2 | 3. | | | 4. | Tax on the amount on line 3. Use the Tax Table, Tax Computation Worksheet, Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet*, Schedule D Tax Worksheet*, or Form 8615, whichever applies. See the instructions for line 44 that begin on page 36 to see which tax computation method applies | 4. | | | 5. | Tax on the amount on line 2. Use the Tax Table or Tax Computation Worksheet, whichever applies | 5. | | | 6. | Subtract line 5 from line 4. Enter the result. If zero or less, enter -0-. Also include this amount on Form 1040, line 44 | 6. | | | *Enter the amount from line 3 above on line 1 of the Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet or Schedule D Tax Worksheet if you use either of those worksheets to figure the tax on line 4 above. Complete the rest of that worksheet through line 6 (line 10 if you use the Schedule D Tax Worksheet). Next, you must determine if you have a capital gain excess. To find out if you have a capital gain excess, subtract Form 1040, line 43, from line 6 of your Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet (line 10 of your Schedule D Tax Worksheet). If the result is more than zero, that amount is your capital gain excess. | | If you do not have a capital gain excess, complete the rest of either of those worksheets according to the worksheet's instructions. Then complete lines 5 and 6 above. | | If you have a capital gain excess, complete a second Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet or Schedule D Tax Worksheet (whichever applies) as instructed above but in its entirety and with the following additional modifications. Then complete lines 5 and 6 above. These modifications are to be made only for purposes of filling out the Foreign Earned Income Tax Worksheet above. | | 1. Reduce (but not below zero) the amount you would otherwise enter on line 3 of your Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet or line 9 of your Schedule D Tax Worksheet by your capital gain excess. | | 2. Reduce (but not below zero) the amount you would otherwise enter on Form 1040, line 9b, by any of your capital gain excess not used in (1) above. | | 3. Reduce (but not below zero) the amount on your Schedule D (Form 1040), line 18, by your capital gain excess. | | 4. Include your capital gain excess as a loss on line 16 of your Unrecaptured Section 1250 Gain Worksheet on page D-9 of the Instructions for Schedule D (Form 1040). |
|
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#w24811v12 | Qualified Dividends and Capital Gain Tax Worksheet—Line 44 - See the instructions for line 44 that begin on page 36 to see if you can use this worksheet to figure your tax.
- If you do not have to file Schedule D and you received capital gain distributions, be sure you checked the box on line 13 of Form 1040.
| 1. | | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 43. However, if you are filing Form 2555 or 2555-EZ (relating to foreign earned income), enter the amount from line 3 of the worksheet on page 37 | 1. | | | | | | 2. | | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 9b* | 2. | | | | | | 3. | | Are you filing Schedule D?* | | | | | | | | Yes. | Enter the smaller of line 15 or 16 of Schedule D. If either line 15 or line 16 is a loss, enter -0- | | 3. | | | | | | | | No. | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 13 | | | | | | 4. | | Add lines 2 and 3 | 4. | | | | | | 5. | | If you are claiming investment interest expense on Form 4952, enter the amount from line 4g of that form. Otherwise, enter -0- | 5. | | | | | | 6. | | Subtract line 5 from line 4. If zero or less, enter -0- | 6. | | | | | | 7. | | Subtract line 6 from line 1. If zero or less, enter -0- | 7. | | | | | | 8. | | Enter the smaller of: | | | | | | | | | | | | - $32,550 if single or married filing separately,
| | 8. | | | | | | | | $65,100 if married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er),
$43,650 if head of household. | | | | 9. | | Is the amount on line 7 equal to or more than the amount on line 8? | | | | | | Yes. | Skip lines 9 and 10; go to line 11 and check the "No" box. | | | | | | No. | Enter the amount from line 7 | 9. | | | | | | 10. | | Subtract line 9 from line 8 | 10. | | | | | | 11. | | Are the amounts on lines 6 and 10 the same? | | | | | | Yes. | Skip lines 11 through 14; go to line 15. | | | | | | No. | Enter the smaller of line 1 or line 6 | 11. | | | | | | 12. | | Enter the amount from line 10 (if line 10 is blank, enter -0-) | 12. | | | | | | 13. | | Subtract line 12 from line 11 | 13. | | | | | | 14. | | Multiply line 13 by 15% (.15) | 14. | | | | | 15. | | Figure the tax on the amount on line 7. Use the Tax Table or Tax Computation Worksheet, whichever applies | 15. | | | | | 16. | | Add lines 14 and 15 | 16. | | | | | 17. | | Figure the tax on the amount on line 1. Use the Tax Table or Tax Computation Worksheet, whichever applies | 17. | | | | | 18. | | Tax on all taxable income. Enter the smaller of line 16 or line 17. Also include this amount on Form 1040, line 44. If you are filing Form 2555 or 2555-EZ, do not enter this amount on Form 1040, line 44. Instead, enter it on line 4 of the worksheet on page 37 | 18. | | | | | *If you are filing Form 2555 or 2555-EZ, see the footnote in the worksheet on page 37 before completing this line. | | | |
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taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP0441e6a2taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP662fe657Use the worksheet below to see if you should fill in Form 6251.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#w24811v38 | Worksheet To See if You Should Fill in Form 6251—Line 45 - Be sure you have read the Exception above to see if you must fill in Form 6251 instead of using this worksheet.
- If you are claiming the foreign tax credit (see the instructions for Form 1040, line 47, on page 40), enter that credit on line 47.
| 1. | | Are you filing Schedule A? | | | | No. | Skip lines 1 through 3; enter on line 4 the amount from Form 1040, line 38, minus the total of (a) any amount from Form 8914, line 2, and (b) if you are claiming the standard deduction, any amount from line 6 of the Standard Deduction Worksheet on page 35. Then go to line 5. | | | | | | | | Yes. | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 41, minus any amount from Form 8914, line 2 | 1. | | | | | 2. | | Enter the smaller of the amount on Schedule A, line 4, or 2.5% (.025) of the amount on
Form 1040, line 38. If zero or less, enter -0- | 2. | | | | | 3. | | Enter the total of the amounts from Schedule A, lines 9 and 27 | 3. | | | | | 4. | | Add lines 1 through 3 above | 4. | | | | | 5. | | Enter any tax refund from Form 1040, lines 10 and 21 | 5. | | | | | 6. | | Subtract line 5 from line 4 | 6. | | | | | 7. | | Enter the amount shown below for your filing status. | | | | | | | - Single or head of household—$46,200
- Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)—$69,950
- Married filing separately—$34,975
| | 7. | | | | | 8. | | Is the amount on line 6 more than the amount on line 7? | | | | | | | No. | | You do not need to fill in Form 6251. | | | | | | | Yes. | Subtract line 7 from line 6 | 8. | | | | | 9. | | Enter the amount shown below for your filing status. | | | | | | - Single or head of household—$112,500
- Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)—$150,000
- Married filing separately—$75,000
| | 9. | | | | | 10. | | Is the amount on line 6 more than the amount on line 9? | | | | | | | No. | Skip lines 10 and 11; enter on line 12 the amount from line 8, and go to line 13. | | | | | | | Yes. | Subtract line 9 from line 6 | 10. | | | | | 11. | | Multiply line 10 by 25% (.25) and enter the smaller of the result or line 7 above | 11. | | | | | 12. | | Add lines 8 and 11 | 12. | | | | | 13. | | Is the amount on line 12 more than $175,000 ($87,500 if married filing separately)? | | | | | | | Yes. | | Fill in Form 6251 to see if you owe the alternative minimum tax. | | | | | | | No. | Multiply line 12 by 26% (.26) | 13. | | | | | 14. | | Enter the amount from Form 1040, line 44, minus the total of any tax from Form 4972 and any amount on Form 1040, line 47. If you used Schedule J to figure your tax, the amount for Form 1040, line 44, must be refigured without using Schedule J | 14. | | | | | Next. Is the amount on line 13 more than the amount on line 14? | | | | Yes. | Fill in Form 6251 to see if you owe the alternative minimum tax. | | | | | No. | You do not owe alternative minimum tax and do not need to fill in Form 6251. Leave line 45 blank. | |
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 | An electronic version of this worksheet is available on www.irs.gov. Enter AMT Assistant in the search box on the website. |
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP4b98b510Fill in Form 6251 instead of using the worksheet below if you claimed or received any of the following items.
- Accelerated depreciation.
- Stock by exercising an incentive stock option and you did not dispose of the stock in the same year.
- Tax-exempt interest from private activity bonds.
- Intangible drilling, circulation, research, experimental, or mining costs.
- Amortization of pollution-control facilities or depletion.
- Income or (loss) from tax-shelter farm activities or passive activities.
- Income from long-term contracts not figured using the percentage-of-completion method.
- Interest paid on a home mortgage not used to buy, build, or substantially improve your home.
- Investment interest expense reported on Form 4952.
- Net operating loss deduction.
- Alternative minimum tax adjustments from an estate, trust, electing large partnership, or cooperative.
- Section 1202 exclusion.
- Any general business credit on Form 3800.
- Empowerment zone and renewal community employment credit.
- Qualified electric vehicle credit.
- Alternative motor vehicle credit.
- Alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit.
- Credit for prior year minimum tax.
| Form 6251 should be filled in for a child if Form 8615 must be used to figure the child's tax and the child's adjusted gross income on Form 1040, line 38, exceeds the child's earned income by more than $6,400. To find out when Form 8615 must be used, see page 36. |
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP472f344ctaxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP6929da16If you paid income tax to a foreign country, you may be able to take this credit. Generally, you must complete and attach Form 1116 to do so.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP7095151dYou do not have to complete Form 1116 to take this credit if all five of the following apply.
- All of your gross foreign source income was from interest and dividends and all of that income and the foreign tax paid on it were reported to you on Form 1099-INT, Form 1099-DIV, or Schedule K-1 (or substitute statement).
- If you had dividend income from shares of stock, you held those shares for at least 16 days.
- You are not filing Form 4563 or excluding income from sources within Puerto Rico.
- The total of your foreign taxes was not more than $300 (not more than $600 if married filing jointly).
- All of your foreign taxes were:
- Legally owed and not eligible for a refund, and
- Paid to countries that are recognized by the United States and do not support terrorism.
For more details on these requirements, see the Instructions for Form 1116.
Do you meet all five requirements above?
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP7c16f709Enter on line 47 the smaller of (a) your total foreign taxes, or (b) the amount on Form 1040, line 44.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP4735129eSee Form 1116 to find out if you can take the credit and, if you can, if you have to file Form 1116.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP08ab0634taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP63149520You may be able to take this credit if you paid someone to care for any of the following persons.
- Your qualifying child under age 13 whom you claim as your dependent.
- Your disabled spouse who could not care for himself or herself, and who lived with you for more than half the year.
- Any disabled person not able to care for himself or herself, who lived with you for more than half the year, and whom you claim as a dependent.
- Any disabled person not able to care for himself or herself, who lived with you for more than half the year, and whom you could have claimed as a dependent except that:
- The person filed a joint return,
- The person had $3,500 or more of gross income, or
- You, or your spouse if filing jointly, could be claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2008 return.
- Your child whom you could not claim as a dependent because of the rules for that begin on page 18.
For details, use TeleTax topic 602 (see page 84) or see Form 2441.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP64ef98f7taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP2f65c058You may be able to take this credit if by the end of 2008 (a) you were age 65 or older, or (b) you retired on permanent and total disability and you had taxable disability income. But you cannot take the credit if:
- The amount on Form 1040, line 38, is $17,500 or more ($20,000 or more if married filing jointly and only one spouse is eligible for the credit; $25,000 or more if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible; $12,500 or more if married filing separately), or
- You received one or more of the following benefits totaling $5,000 or more ($7,500 or more if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible for the credit; $3,750 or more if married filing separately and you lived apart from your spouse all year).
- Nontaxable part of social security benefits.
- Nontaxable part of tier 1 railroad retirement benefits treated as social security.
- Nontaxable veterans' pensions (excluding military disability pensions).
- Any other nontaxable pensions, annuities, or disability income excluded from income under any provision of law other than the Internal Revenue Code.
For this purpose, do not include amounts treated as a return of your cost of a pension or annuity. Also, do not include a disability annuity payable under section 808 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 or any pension, annuity, or similar allowance for personal injuries or sickness resulting from active service in the armed forces of any country, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or the Public Health Service.
See Schedule R and its instructions for details.
If you can take this credit and you want us to figure it for you, see the Instructions for Schedule R.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP38ea7011taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP11f5a1ffIf you (or your dependent) paid qualified expenses in 2008 for yourself, your spouse, or your dependent to enroll in or attend an eligible educational institution, you may be able to take an education credit. See Form 8863 for details. However, you cannot take an education credit if any of the following applies.
- You, or your spouse if filing jointly, are claimed as a dependent on someone's (such as your parent's) 2008 tax return.
- Your filing status is married filing separately.
- The amount on Form 1040, line 38, is $58,000 or more ($116,000 or more if married filing jointly).
- You are taking a deduction for tuition and fees on Form 1040, line 34, for the same student.
- You, or your spouse, were a nonresident alien for any part of 2008 unless your filing status is married filing jointly.
You may be able to take this credit if you, or your spouse if filing jointly, made (a) contributions to a traditional or Roth IRA; (b) elective deferrals to a 401(k) or 403(b) plan (including designated Roth contributions) or to a governmental 457, SEP, or SIMPLE plan; (c) voluntary employee contributions to a qualified retirement plan (including the federal Thrift Savings Plan); or (d) contributions to a 501(c)(18)(D) plan.
However, you cannot take the credit if either of the following applies.
- The amount on Form 1040, line 38, is more than $26,500 ($39,750 if head of household; $53,000 if married filing jointly).
- The person(s) who made the qualified contribution or elective deferral (a) was born after January 1, 1991, (b) is claimed as a dependent on someone else's 2008 tax return, or (c) was a student (defined below).
You were a student if during any part of 5 calendar months of 2008 you:
- Were enrolled as a full-time student at a school, or
- Took a full-time, on-farm training course given by a school or a state, county, or local government agency.
A school includes a technical, trade, or mechanical school. It does not include an on-the-job training course, correspondence school, or school offering courses only through the Internet.
For more details, use TeleTax topic 610 (see page 84) or see Form 8880.
taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP1afd7de2taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP02589355
Three Steps To Take the Child Tax Credit!
| Step 1. | Make sure you have a qualifying child for the child tax credit (see the instructions for line 6c). |
| Step 2. | Make sure that for each qualifying child you either checked the box on Form 1040, line 6c, column (4), or completed Form 8901 (if the child is not your dependent). |
| Step 3. | Answer the questions on this page to see if you can use the worksheet on page 43 to figure your credit or if you must use Pub. 972. |
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| 1. | Is the amount on Form 1040, line 38, more than the amount shown below for your filing status? ● Married filing jointly – $110,000 ● Single, head of household, or qualifying widow(er) – $75,000 ● Married filing separately – $55,000 | Yes. Stop. | You must use Pub. 972 to figure your credit. |
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| 2. | Are you claiming any of the following credits? ● Mortgage interest credit, Form 8396. ● Adoption credit, Form 8839. ● District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit, Form 8859. ● Residential energy efficient property credit, Form 5695. | Yes. Stop. | You must use Pub. 972 to figure your child tax credit. You will also need the form(s) listed above for any credit(s) you are claiming. |
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| 3. | Are you excluding income from Puerto Rico or are you filing any of the following forms? ● Form 2555 or 2555-EZ (relating to foreign earned income). ● Form 4563 (exclusion of income for residents of American Samoa). | Yes. Stop. | You must use Pub. 972 to figure your credit. |
| No. | Use the worksheet on page 43 to figure your credit. |
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taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP03601005taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP659a726d
Child Tax Credits taxmap/instr/i1040gi-012.htm#TXMP4e6dd41aInclude the following credits on line 53 and check the appropriate box(es). To find out if you can take the credit, see the form indicated.
Include the following credits on line 54 and check the appropriate box(es). If box c is checked, also enter the applicable form number. To find out if you can take the credit, see the form or publication indicated.
- District of Columbia first-time homebuyer credit. See Form 8859.
- Qualified electric vehicle credit. You cannot claim this credit for a vehicle placed in service after 2006. You can claim this credit only if you have a passive activity electric vehicle credit carried forward from a prior year. See Form 8834.
- Alternative motor vehicle credit. If you placed an alternative motor vehicle (such as a qualified hybrid vehicle) in service during 2008, see Form 8910.
- Alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit. See Form 8911.
- General business credit. This credit consists of a number of credits that usually apply only to individuals who are partners, shareholders in an S corporation, self-employed, or who have rental property. See Form 3800 or Pub. 334.
- Credit for prior year minimum tax. If you paid alternative minimum tax in a prior year, see Form 8801.
- Qualified zone academy bond credit. This credit applies only to S corporation shareholders. See Form 8860.
- Credit to holders of tax credit bonds. See Form 8912.
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