At this point, you ve probably received your 2008 Form 1040 packet. Now, it's time to start thinking about getting your return underway -- whether you choose to do it yourself or hire a pro.

No matter how you get your taxes done, there are a few key changes almost everyone should know about. Here's what to look for:

Second Shot at Last Year's Stimulus Payment

In 2008, you had the chance to collect an economic stimulus rebate payment based on information reported on your 2007 Form 1040. The maximum rebate was $1,200 for a married joint-filing couple and $600 for others. Those with qualifying children could snag up to another $300 per child. However, there were a lot of eligibility rules, and many higher-income folks didn't receive anything due to phase-out rules.

For those who didn't receive any rebate (or who received less than the maximum), there's some good news: You re allowed a second bite at the rebate apple based on information reported on your 2008 Form 1040 (the one you are about to file). The same eligibility and phase-out rules still apply, but you may get a better answer this time. In fact, you can potentially collect the difference between the maximum rebate amounts listed above and what you received last year (if anything).

This second-chance rebate is called a recovery rebate credit. You can calculate the credit using the worksheet on page 62 of the Form 1040 instruction package. Then, enter the amount on line 70 of your return. You ll get your money in the form of a bigger tax refund or a smaller amount owed to Uncle Sam.

Your odds of qualifying for a recovery rebate credit are pretty good if your 2007 income was high enough to cause you to be affected by the phase-out rule, but your 2008 income was lower. Sadly enough, that will be the case for many of us.

New Property Tax Write-Off for Nonitemizers

If you don t itemize deductions, you may qualify for a brand-new write-off for state and local real property taxes. The new break comes in the form of an add-on to your normal standard deduction amount. The maximum add-on is $1,000 for married joint-filing couples or $500 for others. However, it can't exceed the amount of state and local real property taxes you actually paid during 2008. Check the box on line 39c of your Form 1040 and include the additional standard deduction amount on line 40.

New So-Called Credit for Home Buyers

If you bought or plan to buy a home between April 9, 2008, and June 30, 2009, you may qualify for a brand-new tax credit. However, you re only eligible if you haven't owned a principal residence in the U.S. during the three-year period leading up to the purchase date. (If you re married, your spouse must pass this test, too.) The maximum credit equals the lesser of: 10% of the home price, or $7,500 ($3,750 if you use married, filing separate status).

The good news is the credit offsets both your regular tax and any alternative minimum tax (AMT), and it s refundable. That means the government will fork over any leftover amount after the credit has been used to offset your entire federal income tax bill (including any AMT). If you make a qualified home purchase this year (by the June 30 deadline), you can choose to treat the deal as if it occurred in 2008. You can then claim the credit on your 2008 Form 1040 and get the benefit that much quicker.

The bad news is you must repay the credit over 15 years (which is why I describe it as a "so-called credit" above). It's also phased out for higher-income folks. If you think you might qualify, fill out Form 5405 to find out for sure. Then enter the credit amount on line 69 of your Form 1040.

New Personal Casualty Loss Write-Off for Nonitemizers

For those who don t itemize, the normal standard deduction amount can be increased by any disaster-related personal casualty loss you may have suffered in 2008. Only losses in federally-declared disaster areas are eligible for this brand-new break. Sadly enough, many folks will qualify for this bit of tax-saving assistance because there were quite a few weather-related disasters last year. To figure out the extra standard deduction amount, fill out Form 4864. Then check the box on line 39c of your Form 1040, and include the extra write-off on line 40.

Liberalized Personal Casualty Loss Write-Off for Itemizers

If you itemize and suffer a personal casualty loss, the general rule says you can only claim a deduction to the extent the loss exceeds 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). However, under a brand-new rule, the normal 10%-of-AGI threshold is suspended for 2008 disaster-related losses in federally-declared disaster areas. To figure the deductible amount under this liberalized rule, fill out Form 4864. Then enter the deduction on line 20 of your Schedule A.