Minhthe, according to the IRS web site, the new credit authorized by the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 is refundable:

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204671,00.html

A tax refund is merely the return of tax dollars that you paid (through paycheck withholding or estimated tax payments, for instance) that totaled more than the taxes you ended up owing for that tax year (your 'tax liability').

A tax credit is something you are entitled to that is used in preparation of your tax return and reduces your tax liability dollar for dollar. Some are refundable (meaning that you get paid those dollars if they offset more than your tax liability) and some are non-refundable (only reduce tax liability to -zero-, no more).

There are many tax credits out there: for example - Earned Income, Housing, Energy, Adoption... You or your tax preparer would have to determine if you are eligible at all.

Thank you Lesley. Follow-up Question: So is the $8000 Housing Credit considered refundable or non-refundable?