Stimulus Bill To Help RV Industry

Motorhome Tax Break Added to Stimulus Plan

RV Business

Friday, February 13, 2009

The $789.5 billion economic stimulus package that President Barack Obama is expected to sign next week will contain a tax break for buyers of new motorhomes.
According to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), the news marks a “substantial legislative victory for the RV industry.”

Under the stimulus deal that Congress is likely to approve over the next few days, buyers of new cars, light trucks, motorhomes and motorcycles will be able to deduct the state sales and excise taxes from the purchase on their federal returns next year, the Baltimore Sun reported today (Feb. 13).

RVIA said that motorhomes are included in a tax provision that allows a portion of the sales or excise tax paid on the purchase of a new motorhome to be deducted. The deduction is attributable to taxes applying to the first $49,500 of the purchase price. Individuals with an adjusted gross income of up to $125,000 and joint filers with an adjusted gross income of up to $250,000 are eligible for the deduction.

RVIA actively lobbied for the tax break, which will save consumers an estimated $1.7 billion over 10 years. Dianne Farrell, RVIA vice president of government affairs, cited the efforts made by Sen. Evan Bayh. D-Ind., Rep. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., and Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore.
“They and their staffs have worked tirelessly over the past several weeks to ensure that the RV industry is included in the stimulus legislation,” she said. “Their efforts on behalf of their constituents will make a real difference for the industry.”

Farrell added, “RVIA worked with government affairs consultants, member companies, state RV associations, RVDA and RV dealers to ensure that the RV industry received help from the economic stimulus package. We are thankful to all of our partners for their commitment to this effort.”

The addition to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act became known as the “Mikulski Amendment,” drafted by Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, D-Md. She scored a major legislative victory by getting her provision into the final deal, the Sun noted. It was one of only two so-called rifle-shot tax breaks supported by industry lobbies and approved by the Senate; the other was for homebuyers.

According to Mikulski’s office, a family that takes advantage of the new-car tax break will pay between $300 and $600 less in federal taxes next year.
It is an “above-the-line” deduction, which means it can be taken by anyone who owes federal income tax.

Q & A Session #1

Q: I'd like to travel and earn some money along the way? How can I learn more about this?

A: Subscribe to Workkamper News, which publishes articles and lists job opportunities of interest to full-time RVers. The address is 201 Hiram Road, Heber Springs, AR 72543, (501) 362-2637. A one year subscription (6 issues) is $23. Another helpful resource, available aon the World Wide Web is Workers on Wheels, which offers few job listings but many helpful articles and letters to the editor about living and working on the road. See it at http://www.workersonwheels.com.

Q: I have a business that I'd like to take on the road, but wonder about working space in my RV?

A: A lot of RVers operate a business from a motorhome or other RV, and seem to find the space to do it. Fleetwood recently introduced what it calls the EZ Glide slideout room where a rear bedroom can be converted to an office at a flip of a switch. The bed foldis into the wall revealing a desk and chair. It's offered in both the Storm and Flair model Class A motorhomes.

Q: Can I use an RV in the winter?

A: Absolutely. Take it to the desert where you will be among thousands of other RVers seeking the sun, or take it skiing, in which case you'll need to take special precautions against freezing the water system. This may mean modifying your use of onboard water.

Q: Do RVs have both cold and hot water?

A: Yes. Most RVs have a small propane water ehater (six gallons is common). Water is heated by flipping a switch inside the unit. The water will heat up in about 15 minutes and provides an adequate shower.

Q: Do I need to be hooked up to electricity for my RVs refrigerator to work?

A: No. Most refrigerators will operate on either regular AC household electricity or propane. Some will also operate on 12 volt DC power.

Why Go RV'ing?

Outdoor Escapes

Go camping. Go climbing. Go canoeing. Go RVing.

It’s a big country out there. And in an RV you can see and do it all. You can visit a national park – or all of the national parks. See the Northern Lights. Go skiing in the winter and scuba diving in the summer. Fish your way across America. Visit 49 state Capitals or 100 Civil War battle sites.
An RV has room for all your treasures and memorabilia picked up along the way. It can also handle your favorite gear for any sport – biking, golfing, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and more.

A recreation vehicle can also give you the means for getting involved with environmental issues you care about. Participate in wild bird counts all over North America. Take part in river cleanups from coast to coast. Or volunteer at archaeological digs.

Help foster a love for the outdoors in your children, as well. RV owners surveyed by Robert Hitlin & Associates cited teaching children a respect for nature as an important benefit of family RV camping. Of those who camped as children, 95 percent said it had a positive impact on their adult lives, helping them develop an appreciation for the outdoors and insight into different people and places.

RVing allows you to experience America like never before. In an RV, the great outdoors has never been closer. Whether your passion is hiking, canoeing, attending festivals, or camping with the kids, RVing is a wonderfully fun, surprisingly affordable way to get there more often.
“The so-called ‘middle of nowhere’ can be a joyous place to drive an RV because in a house on wheels you don’t feel as if you’re supposed to be somewhere else.”-Brad Herzog, author of “Small World: A Microcosmic Journey”

RVing puts the world at your doorstep. Wherever your doorstep happens to be. To find the right RV visit Poulsbo RV and you will not be disappointed.

Why Go RV'ing?

Easy on the Pocket

You shouldn’t have to spend a lot of money on something called free time.
Owning an RV makes economic sense. You are able to travel while spending significantly less. You have unlimited flexibility, even on a limited budget.
Many RV models allow a family of four to save up to 74 percent on vacation costs over other forms of travel. That’s a calculation that takes into account RV ownership costs, including payments, insurance, maintenance, tires, tax breaks, registration and depreciation.
Want to take your family of four to Orlando for a week? Traveling in a typical family motorhome will cost you 53 percent less than flying, renting a car, staying in a hotel and eating out. A trip to the Grand Canyon in a folding camping trailer will cost 70 percent less than driving and using hotels and restaurants.
PKF Consulting, an international travel and tourism research firm, recently conducted a complete vacation cost analysis. The study found that family RV vacations cost less than travel by personal car, train. Airline, or cruise ship.
Not only do other forms of travel cost more, the outlay typically covers only one vacation. Not so with an RV. It’s ready to go again whenever you are.
It all adds up. RVing gives you the most for your vacation dollars.
“RVing costs less than staying in hotels/motels. We can also cook our own food and save on restaurants.”-RV owner Brenda Baker, Alexandria, IN
“For the vast majority of RV buyers, the interest on their motorhome or towable unit is deductible at tax time because it qualifies as a second home.”-Richard Coon, president, Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA)

Where To Buy An RV?

If you are looking for a Class A motorhome, Class A diesel motorhome, Class C motorhome, travel trailer, fifth wheel trailer or toy hauler, Poulsbo RV is the premier rv dealer to visit. As the top Seattle RV dealer, Everett RV dealer, Tacoma RV Dealer, Mount Vernon RV dealer, Poulsbo RV dealer, Auburn RV dealer, Chehalis RV dealer and Vancouver RV Dealer; Poulsbo RV has a location close to you. With over 1000 new and pre owned units in stock, there is no place else that will be able to fulfill your RV'ing needs. Please visit our website http://www.poulsborv.com/ or call us toll free at 888-538-9400 to find the RV of your dreams.