Tax Credits towards energy-related improvements and beyond

Under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT), homeowners who make energy-related improvements in 2006 and 2007 may qualify for tax credits. Products include:

• Exterior windows and skylights
• Exterior doors
• Certain roofing materials
• Storm windows
• Storm doors
• Certain water heating equipment
• Insulation
• Main air circulating fans
• Central air conditioners
• Gas, oil or propane furnaces and hot water boilers
• Air-source and geothermal heat pumps

In order to qualify, products must meet standards set by the IRS for each products type. Most credits are based on a percentage of products cost excluding installation, whereas for heating systems components flat credits apply. Only improvements to primary residence qualify, and they must be made between Jan 1st, 2006 and December 31st, 2007. Homeowner tax credits for the tax years 2006 and 2007 combined are capped at $500.

Homeowners can harness the sun's energy for even larger tax credits. Credits up to 30%, capped at $2000, are available for qualified photovoltaic systems, fuel cells and solar water heating systems. For the latter, only solar components and not the entire water heating system can be claimed. The solar-heated water must be used within the residence, so tell your clients not to plan on the IRS' help in heating their hot tubes and swimming pools. Qualified systems must be placed in service between January 1st, 2006 and December 31st, 2008.

Consult a tax professional regarding IRS regulations.
For a general summary, visit:
www.energystart.gov
www.energy.gov/taxbreaks.htm

It's important that we continue to promote solar electric, but I'm not in favor of subsidizing on a Federal level and don't like the idea of it on the state level either. Let's not forget that Oil and other competing energy is subsidized as well. Solar failed to launch in the 70s because oil companies drastically reduced their prices to keep us addicted to cheap fuel. Oil interests are well aware that they can't buy the sun. So preventing solar electric from becoming popular and used enough so that prices will drop is their goal. Why do you think Gov. Schwarzenegger has been touring around opening Hydrogen pumps with Shell? Using tax payer money to promote a terrible fuel solution. They want to keep you hooked on their fuel no matter what the cost. Hydrogen power currently uses more power to produce the fuel then you get out of it. With solar electric or electric in general, you won't depend on coal plants for your housing power or on Shell to fuel your vehicle and it will even help local utility companies to manage brown and blackouts. Just plug into your home system and away you go. - evan

This is the future for a freer REPUBLIC (not a democracy) of the United States of America.



Written by, Evan T. Little

Realtor®, EcoBroker®
Volkl Investments Inc.
949.939.9687 phone
evan@volklinvestmentsinc.com

My other blogs:
Orange County, CA Community
Real Estate in Orange County, CA