2009 Top Green Tax Credits and Deductions

This was a very helpful post! I am about to do my taxes and I am definitely bookmarking this post for the future when I may own a home and be able to to make some of these green improvements.

The resources you included were also very helpful – thank you for the great post!

Hi:
I am a 70 year old home owner. I am retired and do not earn no where near enough to get a 30% tax credit for going Green. Is there any rebates or something for people like me?

Love the post so much I linked to it in a related blog. Let me know your thoughts. While this blog is centered more to overall green living, I am focused more on energy and water side. I think we have very similar thoughts!

http://blog.mapawatt.com/2009/04/02/demystifying-incentives/

Go Green.

There are many other tax incentives for building a green development. It would be interesting to see those listed in a post as well.

I am planing on getting the windows of my entire house tinted with a tint that blocks out 99% uv rays and 65% of heat. Will that qualify for a tax credit?

I think it is fantastic how the stimulus funds are making a difference. They are being taken advantage of all the time with the installation of geothermal heat pumps to replace high energy heating and cooling systems.

Does anyone know what incentives are available for builders and developers for “going green”. Our new spec home has solar, geothermal, and is energy star certified. Many of the incentives seem to go to the homeowner, what about the builder. Any help would be appreciated

Rich,
My initial thought would be that because your customers are able to take tax incentives for buying your home (solar/geothermal) you benefit from this. Basically, you are able to tell customers they are going to get 30% off the solar portion of their home. I’m guessing you would have to break out the price of solar/geothermal in pricing the home, then the customer uses that for the tax incentive.

Basically, you benefit because people buy your homes because they are green. One reason they buy is the tax incentive; therefore, you are indirectly already benefiting from this.

Can you install a tankless water heater and spray foam insulation in your house and combine the tax credits? Have a maximum total for the two upgrades equal $3,000?

I have been looking at a water well pump that is powered by solar panels. This system would supply water to most of, if not all of my home. Would this type of system qualify for a tax credit? Theare are also some wind generator systems on the market, would one of those qualify?

Energy star rated hhmmm..I wonder if the same companies that got our laws changed for using their energy efficient led and other light bulbs are included in this?..It seems a GREAT way to corner the market and put out the competition in particular the smaller companies.We need to find out who the GE lobbyists visited and make sure that congressman is immediately impeached….

Great list of deductions and credits for green living. This is one of the few things the federal government gets right…rewarding people who go green!

TAKE A MINUTE FOR ME AND READ: I’m sitting here filing my taxes and noticing all of these “tax credits” that the government gives to people who drive energy efficient vehicles. Now this is great, but what about people like me who don’t drive EVER? People who bicycle everywhere? or take public transit? Those people should get a break too! If we are going to give tax credits for being green, then I think we deserve the same perk. If anyone is with me on these ideas and want to take this to a higher level together please feel free to email me….

thanks for the list of deductions and credits 🙂

I am thinking of installing a water purification system in my home at Point of Entry (POE) and also for our swimming pool. Do the Federal government or New York State allow a tax credit for either of these?

What about a tax credit for chosing a service that is Eco-Friendly,,,,,,like ECO-Green Cremation System Inc for your loved ones funeral service,,,,,,and save money too

Question- do you take 30% credit on the total price of the solar panels or only the amount that you paid? Some utility companies are giving 50% incentives? http://www.americanpv.com/index.php

Can I deduct my green kitchen cabinets? Sears whom I bought them from mentioned I could?

Great Tips. Wish I would have read these tips before april 15th.

Thanks for these. I would imagine there’s a whole new slew of these kinds of breaks for ’10/’11. Hoping you’ll be updating the list for the next year end.

I was told my family income is too high to partake in any of these energy related tax credits. Is this correct.

Thanks for the guidance and will be looking for the updated list later in the year. “Green” aside, it’d be nice to see a ‘dumbed down’ list like this for other, overlooked tax fields.

do you know if any tax credits are available if you buy a ‘green’ travel trailer or other type of RV?