The Federal Tax Credits Blog

Archive for April, 2009

There are countless articles out there that will all tell you different things about what the credit score ranges actually are. This is because every institution decides for itself what these numbers mean to them. That doesn’t mean we need to go in blind though! Based on overall reactions we can make some general statements about ranges and what this all amounts to.

To start with, the scale goes from 350 to 850, with individuals on either end of the scale being very rare.

Anything under 600 is bad and will give you a lot of difficulties.

600-649: Most lenders will work with you, but your interest rates on everything, including insurance, will be unfavorable.

650-679: With this you will be able to do things, won’t have the worst interest rates, but I wouldn’t be excited about it.

680-720: You should feel good if your credit score ranges here! You should never be turned down and in some instances the higher end of this will get you the best interest rates.

721 and up: This is fantastic, you will always get the best rates and no financial door is closed to you! Be sure to keep on doing whatever you have been and keep an eye on your credit reports to try and stay here.

Whenever you apply for anything where your finances are judged like loans, rental applications, insurance, or anything else where they do a credit check you will want to have an idea of your score, and what it all means. To get a wider idea of your actual situation you’ll want to look at your credit report. When you look at this, fix anything that you can and that should help get your score to the best it can be for when you need it most.

Hopefully all this information has given you an idea of where you stand financially. It can be hard sorting all this out, but knowing the credit score ranges can help you take control.

Interest rates should remain steady

We are thinking about refinancing our mortgage. Would it be better to do it now, or to wait and see if interest rates will drop even farther?

First Time Buyer Tax Credit 2009-2010

Refinancing: Whom Can You Trust?

The mortgage-refinancing equation has never been more complicated. If you believe some websites, you’d be refinancing constantly. A guide to what to do now.

Recovery: Making Work Pay – Married – August 2009 (ASL, Captions & Voice Over)

Question: need legal question answered?

i am on sdi and social security….got a small claims judgement…court says the amout sued will go on credit rating….person suing me says he can take my money from sdi and social security. [california] i thought only irs could take money from someone disabled. [i am appealing this but would like to know. thank you kindly

Answer: Some of your money may be considered discretionary income — it depends on how much you get, and what your fixed and medical expenses are.

If some of the funds are considered discretionary income — meaning they are more than you need for your fixed and medical expenses — then the court may order them attached. Unlikely, but possible.

Tax season approaches — and so do changes

Tax season is right around the corner, and volunteer and paid preparers are getting ready for the onslaught.

How to Complete and File a 1040A Tax Form : 1040A Elderly & Disabled Credit Tips

Question: Will the 30% off doors, window, water heaters and insulation help stimulate the economy?

I think this part of Obama’s stimulus is going to be a fantastic Idea. I was planing on adding a new on-demand water heater this year anyway and also a new entry door, now I will be hiring a plumber, an electrician, and a carpenter. I get a great tax break of 30% under the the new tax credit and I will give some local small Business some work! Good job Obama I like what I see.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits

Answer: Yes it will help the economy as well as help those who need their homes updated and insulated. It will help the businesses that sell plumbing and electrical supplies. It will help the private contractors that are really hurting right now because of the housing market collapse but most importantly it will help the elderly. Part of the stimulus goes to weatherization of homes for the elderly and disabled. It broke my heart last year when one of our last remaining WWII heroes froze to death in his own home. How could that happen in our country?

YES! It will help any bill that creates job and will increase aid to our elderly, disabled and our veterans is a good thing!

Before buying first home, brace yourself for costs

On his road to homeownership, Scott Leibfried has learned one thing: Expect the unexpected.

3 Bedroom Home for Sale in Nanticoke PA (10 min from Wyoming Valley Mall Wilkes-Barre PA )

The Best Filter for You and Your Family

The Practical Pleat Filter is probably one the best filters on the market today. It provides a large surface capacity, more efficient than a standard 1″ extended surface pleated filter, and a foam gasket to prevent air bypass.
A filter that doesn’t self-seal allows pollutants to be pulled around the filter (filter bypass) and into your ventilation system. Therefore escaping the filtering process. The particles accumulate and can allow mold, mildew and other biological contaminants to grow in your furnace or air handler. The self-sealing gasket helps prevent this.

The Practical Pleat is 30 times more efficient than a standard 1″ pleated filter at capturing small contaminants. These filters are designed to protect your heating and cooling system as much as the air you breathe.

In general the more efficient a filter is at collecting contaminants the greater the resistance to air flow. The Practical Pleat has overcome this problem by increasing surface capacity. The Practical Pleats surface capacity is 433% greater than a 1″ pleated filter and in the process reduced air resistance by 41%. The reduction in air resistance improves airflow, helps reduce energy consumption, increases air circulation, decreases maintenance, and ultimately filters life.

A standard 1″ filter needs changing every 30-60 days during use. The Practical Pleat will last 6-12 months depending on the conditions in your home or office.
You may be asking how the Practical Pleat Filter does this. Well they made the filter 5″ deep. The amazing thing is it will fit in your existing return air grille like a 1″ filter does recessing into your return air opening. So, there isn’t a need for a filter housing or any retrofitting. The only requirement is that your return opening is deep enough for the filter to recess into it. If your return air isn’t deep enough there is a 2″ Practical Pleat. 

The 2″ Practical Pleat Filter last 3-4 months depending on the conditions in your home. These filter are the best choice for you or your family. If you have allergies or asthma it is an ideal choice.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at robert@filtersdirect2you.com

Reduce home air pollution and save energy

(ARA) – Your home may be your castle, but the average household can be responsible for nearly twice the greenhouse gas emissions as the average car, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.