A Sign of the Times | Green Energy News

November 13, 2005 – Vol.10 No.34

A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

High prices at the pump and on utility bills have helped push energy alternatives and energy efficiency to all sectors of the U.S. economy.

Five years ago you wouldn’t have seen this title on a press release: Waiting to Improve Your Home in 2006 Just Might Improve Your Tax Situation; Jackson Hewitt (R) Explains How the New Energy Policy Act Provides Tax Credits for Energy-conscious Home Improvements.

Aside from noting Federal tax credits for new energy efficient windows or for additional insulation, the nation’s second largest tax preparation service mentions the new credit available for the 2006 tax year for solar photovoltaic systems and solar hot water systems.

The press release doesn’t mention that individual states may also have tax breaks for energy efficiency or renewable energy systems, but homeowners should search for them too. Further, since the press release is geared towards homes, it doesn’t mention Federal tax incentives available after January 1, 2006 for hybrid and diesel cars.

The Federal energy tax savings won’t be realized until 2007, of course.

One-stop shopping for information on federal, state, local and utility incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency is available at the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) at http://www.dsireusa.org/ . Federal tax credits are also outlined by the Alliance to Save Energy at http://www.ase.org/content/article/detail/2654 . Visit Jackson Hewitt at http://www.jacksonhewitt.com/ .