Energy Tax Credits . . . Q & A - Part III

In this posting we’re going to wrap up the series of Energy Tax Credits questions and answers. So, on to the next question.

Q. If I’m not in the window, insulation, roofing, etc. business, is it difficult to get those products?

A. Get an alliance with a window, insulation, roofing supplier or retailer. They will help you work this out.

Again, we encourage you to do energy loss inspections.

Q. Which roofing qualifies?

A. Most metal roofing. Check www.energystar.com

Q. Don’t all Energy Star windows meet the qualification?

A. Go to www.efficientwindows.org to examine the minimal requirements.

Q. Will the Energy Star stickers on the windows (or other products) have to be submitted by the customer for their tax credit?

A. It is a good idea to have the customer keep the sticker off a window or the package of their product to substantiate their claim.

Q. How do I give credible information to the customer which eliminates my installation costs without jeopardizing my contract?

A. Construct a formula that is realistic and yet protects you. Give this to the customer as a receipt when they pay. Be sure your formula is fair, practical, and consistent.

There is a lot more information and the answers to more questions in the recorded proceedings of the first Home Improvement Economic Summit recorded in April 2009. The entire summit is available on 11 CDs plus an additional CD Rom with the Summit manual and 220 PowerPoint slides. For more information send an e-mail to admin@daveyoho.com or call our office at (703) 591-2490.

That’s all for this time. I’ll have more useful information in the next posting.

Best regards,
Dave Yoho

Energy Tax Credits . . . Q & A - Part II

Let’s pick up where we left off in the last posting with some more questions and answers about the Energy Tax Credits.

Q. How do we present the tax credit to prospects?

A. It is best to have it as a page in your presentation book together with a copy of the certification they will receive. Prospects can be advised to search the websites listed in the last posting for the same purpose.

Q. Is there a special form that customers will have to submit with their tax return?

A. Currently, IRS Form 5696

Q. Suppose our product, i.e. bath refitting, coating, cabinet refacing, etc. doesn’t qualify as an energy saving product?

A. Start offering energy audits. You can use the H.E.L.P. package we’ve developed for this purpose. H.E.L.P. (Home Energy Loss Prevention) is a copyrighted package enabling those who sell windows with CDs, graphs, charts, support forms, energy audit folders and formulas to present this. Request information on H.E.L.P. with an e-mail to admin@daveyoho.com.

Q. Then what do we do?

A. Most bathrooms have a window. On the other side of the ceiling may be an attic (insulation). You can offer these products as a bonus or discount to help the energy crisis.

Q. Does the job then qualify for $1,500 tax credit?

A. Only the portion that relates to the energy credit that you installed.

Remember, you used energy conservation to get the lead and you have made them energy conscious.

Absorb these ideas and consider how you can implement them into your lead acquisition and sales appointment program.

We’ll answer some more questions in the next posting.

Best regards,
Dave Yoho

Energy Tax Credits . . . Q & A

We discussed the excellent marketing potential the new Energy Tax Credits in the massive government stimulus package provide for us in the last posting. There is $6 billion available for home improvement manufacturers and retailers. In order for you to benefit from this opportunity, you need to be well informed and capable of showing the homeowner how they can gain the maximum benefit from this tax credit. So, in the next few postings, we’re going to ask the questions and answer them for you. So, let’s get started . . .

Q: What are the qualifications?

A: Qualified home improvement products installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 on homeowner occupied residences.

Q: How much is the tax credit?

A: Homeowners can claim a tax credit of up to $1,500 representing 30% of the purchase price (not including installation costs).

Q: How do we know the product we’re selling qualifies?

A: Get certification from your supplier. You will need this if you’re challenged.

Q: Do we have to leave a copy of the certification with a customer?

A: It is advisable, although not required to send this in with their claim when they report their taxes. They should be reminded to keep a copy for that purpose.

Q: Which products qualify?

A: All products must meet a standard specified within the Act. Windows, doors, skylights, insulation, roofing, certain types of HVAC equipment and solar products.

Q: Where can we get more information on qualified products?

A: www.ase.org, www.energystar.com, www.DOE.gov and your manufacturer.

These next two Q’s and A’s are very important to understand and remember so the prospective buyer fully understands how they get their benefit.

Q: What is a tax credit?

A: Homeowners don’t receive the tax credit when they buy the Home Improvement project. They claim the credit on their federal income tax form at the end of the year – 2009 or 2010. The credit then increases the tax refund they receive or decreases the amount they owe.

Q: What is the difference between Tax Credits vs. Tax Deductions?

A: In general, a tax credit is more valuable then a tax deduction. A tax credit reduces the tax you pay, dollar-for-dollar. Tax deductions – (home mortgages or charitable giving) – lower the taxable income. If you are in the 35-percent tax bracket, the income tax you pay is reduced by 35 percent of the amount of the tax credit.

Let’s wrap it up here for this blog post. I’ll have more Q’s & A’s in the next posting

Best regards,
Dave Yoho