Now is the best time to explore financial incentives and other tax benefits that are designed to encourage individuals to go green. In the U.S., the Federal Government alone offers a range of financial incentives such as home loans and tax credits for installing insulation in your house, replacing windows or even for hooking up a solar hot water heater. Aside from federal incentives, almost every state in the U.S. offer additional local incentives to residents.
As a home builder with LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, I cannot stress enough to customers how valuable some of these incentives are. Whether you are building a new home or updating your existing home, it is worth your while to investigate some of these programs and take advantage of their benefits.
How to Find Information Online About Green Tax Incentives
It can be a time-consuming task researching the constantly changing programs and incentives available nationally and locally. The best place to start is by browsing through the free online Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), which is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and green living. DSIRE is a federally funded project of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, whose membership includes renewable energy companies, national laboratories, advocacy groups and state and local government agencies. Take a look at the DSIRE website for more information: www.dsireusa.org/.
Another way to find out about green living tax incentives and initiatives is by talking with experienced contractors and professionals that work in the industry. Contractors that specialize in green building and energy efficient home upgrades often keep up on all of the latest incentives and initiatives, so they can better inform their clients and potential clients. A great place to find contractors and professionals with a deep understanding of green building practices online is by browsing the Member Directory on the U.S. Green Building Council's website at http://www.usgbc.org.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization with over 16,000 member companies. The USGBC has established a program called LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which provides building owners and operators with a framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. The USGBC offers a LEED Certification to professionals and companies and has designed a rating system that measures: sustainable sites, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality and more.
Talk to Your Tax Professional
In addition to using DSIRE and USGBC's professionals as a resource for finding green tax incentives, talk to your accountant or tax professional. Accountants and tax professionals attend continuing education courses which keep them up to date on all of the available tax incentives and initiatives.
Anthony Chase is a Project Manager and Estimator for PA Home Builders Chase Building Group.
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