You Don’t Need Solar Panels or EV Charging Stations to Qualify for Powerful Energy Efficient Tax Incentives

  • By Cedric James
    • Aug 01, 2023
    • read
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin

Many Real Estate Developers and Commercial Building owners have a misconception their buildings must be completely “Green” to qualify for powerful energy efficient tax incentives. While solar panels and onsite renewable energy sources might be beneficial for some tax incentives, the tax code does not require them to qualify for others. There are many incentives that reward building owners for constructing their properties to today’s code, or for simply upgrading old and inefficient systems with new equipment. If you have any questions for our experts, schedule a call!

The Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L)

The Energy Efficient Home Credit, or 45L, has been available since 2005. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act raised the credit limit from $2,000 to $5,000 per unit. Builders, contractors, and developers meeting energy benchmarks can pursue the incentive for buildings constructed in the last three tax years.

  • Multi-Family   
  • Apartment Buildings
  • Assisted Living Facilities
  • Condominiums
  • Dormitories
  • Single-Family Homes

The Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction (179D)

The Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction, or 179D, has also been around since 2005. More recently, The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 made it a permanent part of the tax code, and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 significantly expanded both the deduction amount and the scope. Commercial building owners, real estate developers, and designers of non-taxed commercial property are now eligible to receive up to $5.00 per square foot for impacting the following systems:

  • Building Envelope
  • Interior Lighting
  • HVAC and Hot Water

America’s commercial & residential buildings consume more energy than any other single source. When we increase the efficiency of these buildings, we are effectively decreasing our nation’s energy consumption. By leveraging the Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L) and the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Tax Deduction (179D), real estate developers, commercial building owners, and designers of non-taxed commercial property can unlock valuable tax savings, reduce operating costs, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Author

cedric
Cedric James

Energy Efficiency Consultant

Explore our latest insights

See more arrow_forward
Washington Removes Sales Tax Exemptions for Data Center Equipm...

Washington has enacted legislation under Washington Senate Bill 6231 that eliminates ke...

Retail Delivery Fee
Retail Delivery Fee 2026: Compliance Traps for Multi‑State Sel...

When Does Colorado’s Retail Delivery Fee Apply? Colorado imposes a Retail Delivery Fee “RDF...

healthcare innovation
Innovation Trends in Healthcare: The 2026 Virtual Reality Revo...

While Virtual Reality (VR) initially captured the public imagination through gaming, its evolutio...

Maximizing Tax Savings with Engineering-Based Cost Segregation

When it comes to owning property, there has been a recent uptick in cost segregation study option...