When we hear the word audit it’s often associated with a negative connotation. However, an audit does not necessarily have to be a bad thing – especially when it can save you some money. I’m talking about having an energy audit done at your home or business. What an energy audit can do is let you know how much energy and utilities your home is using as well as let you know how much energy and utilities your home may be wasting. Of course, wasted utilities means wasted money. Let me give you an example from my perspective. About 5 years ago my wife and I decided to have an energy audit done. We called our local utility provider and inquired about the specific programs that were available. Our utility company was more than willing to point us in the right direction and they recommended a third-party contractor that was […]
energy
Credit for Energy Saving Home Improvements for 2011
This tax credit has undergone a change from previous years. In 2010, for example, you could achieve a credit for as much as 30% of the cost of your energy-saving home improvements, with a ceiling of $1,500. Beginning January 1, 2011, the credit rate is now just 10%, and the ceiling has been lowered to $500. Something important to keep in mind about this credit: any credit claimed in prior years (2009 and/or 2010) will be used to reduce your ceiling. In other words, if you claimed the full credit (or any amount up to $500) on a previous year’s tax return, you have no energy-saving home improvement credit available to you. In addition to the changes above, there are specific item caps in place as well. For example, if you are putting in a new furnace or water heater, the credit for those units is capped at $150. If […]
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And if you’ve come here to learn about queuing waterfowl, I apologize for the confusion. You may want to discuss your question with Lester, my loyal watchduck and self-proclaimed “advisor’s advisor”.