Tax

Solar Technology Tax Credits Still Available for 2019

Certain energy-efficient home improvements can cut your energy bills and save you money at tax time. While many of these tax credits expired at the end of 2016, tax credits for residential and non-business energy-efficient solar technologies do not expire until December 31, 2021. Here are some key facts that you should know about these tax credits:

Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit

• This tax credit is 30 percent of the cost of alternative energy equipment installed on or in your home.
• Qualified equipment includes solar hot water heaters and solar electric equipment placed into service on or after January 1, 2006, and on or before December 31, 2021.
• There is no maximum credit for systems placed in service after 2008.
• The tax credit does not apply to solar water-heating property for swimming pools or hot tubs.
• If your credit is more than the tax you owe, you can carry forward the unused portion of this credit to next year’s tax return.
• At least half the energy used to heat the dwelling’s water must be from solar in order for the solar water-heating property expenditures to be eligible.
• Solar water-heating equipment must be certified for performance by the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (SRCC) or a comparable entity endorsed by the government of the state in which the property is installed.
• The home must be in the U.S. It does not have to be your main home.
• Use Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits, to claim the credit.

Equipment costs such as assembling or installing original systems, on-site labor costs, and costs related to wiring or piping solar technology systems are considered final when the installation is complete. For a new home, the placed-in-service date is the occupancy date.

The maximum allowable credit varies by the type of technology:

Solar-electric property

• 30% for systems placed in service by 12/31/2019
• 26% for systems placed in service after 12/31/2019 and before 01/01/2021
• 22% for systems placed in service after 12/31/2020 and before 01/01/2022

Solar water-heating property

• 30% for systems placed in service by 12/31/2019
• 26% for systems placed in service after 12/31/2019 and before 01/01/2021
• 22% for systems placed in service after 12/31/2020 and before 01/01/2022

If you would like more information about this topic please contact the office today.

• By Leon Clinton
• November 26, 2019

New Twist on the Social Security Number (SSN) Scam

New variations of tax-related scams show up at regular intervals, the most recent one related to Social Security numbers. Don’t be fooled, however; it’s nothing more than a new twist on an old scam and yet another attempt to frighten people into returning “robocall” voicemails.

How the Scam Works

Con artists claim to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN and may mention overdue taxes in addition to threatening to cancel the person’s SSN. The following are actions that the IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never undertake, but are the telltale signs of this and many other scams:

• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, iTunes gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
• Ask a taxpayer to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
• Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

What to Do

If taxpayers receive a call threatening to suspend their SSN for an unpaid tax bill, they should just hang up. Taxpayers should not give out sensitive information over the phone unless they are positive they know the caller is legitimate.

Taxpayers who don’t owe taxes and have no reason to think they do should:

• Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
• Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. The taxpayer should write “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.
• Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission. When reporting it, they should add “IRS Phone Scam” in the notes.

Taxpayers who owe tax or think they do should:

• View tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount owed and review their payment options.
• Call the number on the billing notice
• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040.

• By Leon Clinton
• November 23, 2019

Business Expense Deductions for Meals, Entertainment

As the end of year approaches, taxpayers are reminded that business expense deduction for meals and entertainment have changed due to tax law changes in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Until proposed regulations clarifying when business meal expenses are deductible and what constitutes entertainment are in effect, taxpayers should rely on transitional guidance that was recently issued by the IRS.

Prior to 2018, a business could deduct up to 50 percent of entertainment expenses directly related to the active conduct of a trade or business or, if incurred immediately before or after a bona fide business discussion, associated with the active conduct of a trade or business. However, the 2017 TCJA eliminated the deduction for any expenses related to activities generally considered entertainment, amusement or recreation.

Taxpayers may continue to deduct 50 percent of the cost of business meals if the taxpayer (or an employee of the taxpayer) is present and the food or beverages are not considered lavish or extravagant. The meals may be provided to a current or potential business customer, client, consultant or similar business contact.

Please note that food and beverages that are provided during entertainment events will not be considered entertainment if purchased separately from the event.

• By Leon Clinton
• November 19, 2019