The "Making Work Pay" Act

Maybe it pays to work after all. This new credit would wipe part of your social security tax if you make under $ 150,000 (MFJ).

For 2009 and 2010, the Making Work Pay provision of the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide a refundable tax credit of
up to $400 for working individuals and $800 for married taxpayers
filing joint returns.

This tax credit will be calculated at a rate of 6.2% of earned income
and will phase out for taxpayers with adjusted gross income in excess
of $75,000, or $150,000 for married couples filing jointly.

For people who receive a paycheck and are subject to withholding, the
credit will typically be handled by their employers through automated
withholding changes in early spring. These changes may result in an
increase in take-home pay. The amount of the credit must be reported
on the employee's 2009 income tax return filed in 2010. Taxpayers who
do not have taxes withheld by an employer during the year can also
claim the credit on their 2009 tax return.