In the depths of the recession the government passed the 2009 economic stimulus bill and tweaked the federal tax code to help boost consumer spending and assist people who were losing their jobs, homes and benefits.

Several of those tax breaks, rebates and other incentives are due to expire at year’s end.

Congress and the Obama Administration may ultimately decide to retain some or all of these benefits. But just to be safe, here are a few you may want to tap now, if they make sense for your individual situation.

Homebuyer tax credit

If you haven’t owned a home in the past three yea...