http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2654

Energy-Efficiency Home

and Vehicle Tax Credits

Energy-Efficiency Home

and Vehicle Tax Credits

President Bush has signed into law new consumer tax credits for energy efficiency home improvements, as well as purchases of plug-in hybrid vehicles. These provisions were included in H.R. 1424, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, which the president signed on October 3, 2008. The homeowner tax credits are largely the same – but not identical – to those that expired at the end of 2007, and begin again on January 1, 2009. Taxpayers who claimed some but not all of the $500 federal income tax credit for energy efficiency home improvements that was in effect in tax years 2006 and 2007 may utilize the unused portion in 2009, the IRS has informed the Alliance to Save Energy. Please consult your tax advisor for details.

What’s New:

• The consumer tax credits for energy-efficiency home improvements have been revived with a few tweaks for the calendar year 2009. To be eligible, most qualifying products must be purchased and installed between January 1 and December 31, 2009. There also are some new eligible products. Please see below for additional details. Efforts to have Congress further extend the consumer tax credits continue! This web page will be updated to reflect any new legislation.

Energy Efficiency Can Lower Your Federal Tax Bill as Well as Your Energy Bills

1. Introduction to Tax Credits
2. Consumer Tax Credit Information
3. Hybrid and Diesel Vehicle Tax Credit
4. Home Energy-Efficiency Improvement Tax Credit
5. Geothermal Heat Pumps, Solar Energy, and Fuel Cells
6. Additional Information

http://www.dsireusa.org/library/includes/incentive2.cfm?Incentive_Code=US41F&State=Federal¤tpageid=1&ee=1&re=1

Federal Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Energy-Efficient New Homes Tax Credit for Home Builders

Last DSIRE Review: 10/09/2008

Incentive Type: Corporate Tax Credit Eligible Efficiency Technologies: Comprehensive Measures/Whole Building Applicable Sectors: Construction Amount: $1,000-$2,000, depending on energy savings and home type Maximum Incentive: $2,000 Website: http://www.irs.gov/ businesses/small/industries/article/0,,id=155445,00.html Authority 1: 26 USC § 45L Date Enacted: 8/8/2005 (Amended 2008) Effective Date: 1/1/2006 Expiration Date: 12/31/2009 Authority 2: H.R. 1424: Div. B, Sec. 304 (The Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008) Date Enacted: 10/3/2008 Expiration Date: 12/31/2009

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/eemhog96.cfm

Energy Efficient Mortgage

Home Owner Guide

THE ENERGY EFFICIENT MORTGAGE means comfort and savings. When you are buying, selling, refinancing, or remodeling your home, you can increase your comfort and actually save money by using the Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). It is easy to use, federally recognized, and can be applied to most home mortgages. EEMs provide the borrower with special benefits when purchasing a home that is energy efficient, or can be made efficient through the installation of energy-saving improvements.

Home owners with lower utility bills have more money in their pocket each month. They can afford to allocate a larger portion of their income to housing expenses. If you have more cash, why not buy a better, more comfortable home? There are two options with the Energy Efficient Mortgage.

The TWO SIDES of the EEM COIN

Finance Energy Improvements!

 

>	Cost-effective energy-saving measures may be financed as part of the mortgage!

 

Increase Your Buying Power!

 

>	Stretch debt-to-income qualifying ratios on loans for energy-efficient homes!

 

WHO BENEFITS from the ENERGY EFFICIENT MORTGAGE?

Buyers:

 

>	Qualify for a larger loan on a better home!

 

Sellers:

 

>	Sell your home more quickly.

 

Remodelers/Refinancers:

 

>	Get all the EEM benefits without moving.

 

Pay for energy improvements easily, through your mortgage. Your lender can increase your loan to cover energy improvement costs. Monthly mortgage payments increase slightly, but you actually save money because your energy bills will be lower!

HERS, or Home Energy Rating Systems

A HERS report is similar to a miles-per-gallon rating on a car. HERS are programs which provide evaluations of an individual home’s energy-efficiency. A HERS report is prepared by a trained Energy Rater. Factors such as insulation, appliance efficiencies, window types, local climate, and utility rates are used to rate the home and calculate energy costs.

A HERS Report Includes:

 

>	Overall Rating Score of the house as it is.

 

Rating scores are between 1 and 100. Higher scores indicate greater efficiency. Cost-effective upgrades are those which will save more money through energy savings than they cost to install.

U.S. Department of Energy recommended Home Energy Ratings contain a numerical score from 1 to 100, a one to five star-plus rating, and the estimated energy costs. Higher scores indicate greater efficiency. Cost-effective upgrades are those which will save more money through energy savings than they cost to install.

A HERS rating usually costs between $300 and $800. This could be paid for by the buyer, seller, lender, or real estate agent. Sometimes the cost of the rating may be financed as part of the mortgage. No matter how the rating is paid for, it is a very good investment because an EEM could save you or your buyer hundreds of dollars each year.

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Seems like a lot doesn’t? The boat has a hole in it and he hands us 3 buckets. That is a recipe for one sunk boat.

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