Dealine Approaches for 2009 Tax Deductions, Credits ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - With just a few days left in 2009, time is running out to amass deductions and credits to claim on this year's taxes. WABE's Jim Burress has more.

If you bought a new car after Feb. 17th , you can deduct on your federal tax return the sales tax paid. New motorcycles--even motor homes count.

Dee Harris of the IRS says if you're considering a new car purchase, acting before Thursday at midnight can save a lot of money, even for the two-thirds of taxpayers who don't itemize.

" so if you normally take the standard deduction, this could increase your standard deduction."

There are also credits for buying a home, and for making energy-saving home improvements.

No matter the deduction's size Harris says getting records in order now can help maximize your refund.

"A lot of time people miss out on deductions and credits because they wait until to the last minute, then they cannot find their records and receipts. Then they do not claim deductions and credits they're entitled to."

And those deductions add up. The IRS reports in 2007, refunds totaled more than 279-billion dollars.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
© Copyright 2012, WABE