Congress Taxes Glance

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Several of the tax provisions that expired at the end of 2005 and may be renewed in tax legislation being considered by Congress:

• Above-the-line deduction for higher education expenses. Allows deductions of up to $4,000, depending on income, for higher education expenses in lieu of claiming other tax credits.

_Provision to allow taxpayers in states without income taxes to deduct state and local sales taxes.

_Research and development tax credit equal to 20 percent of the amount by which a taxpayer's qualified research expenses for a taxable year exceed its base amount for the year.

_A maximum credit of $2,400 for employers that hire from groups considered to face barriers to employment.

_Above-the-line deduction for teacher classroom expenses. This allows teachers to deduct up to $250 of out-of-pocket costs incurred to purchase classroom supplies.