Green Tax Expert
Income Tax Help for Green Businesses

I’m not just talking about solar panels, geothermal heating pumps, wind turbines, and rainwater collection. Though I am an avid fan of earthships and other sustainable houses, I adore green rooftops. I just read an issue in this month’s issue of National Geographic about rooftops with gardens, lawns, flowers, grass, and plants. What do you think of that? I saw a picture of a building in England adorned with ivy. Would you support a municipal law requiring all flat rooftops to be green? Would you advocate a tax incentive to make other rooftops having vegetation as well?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvHVBuEIfGi71ErImacoq1vsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090519004607AA08bZE Actually we didn’t come up with freedom. There is more of it in other countries, too. And part of living in a free society is also respecting other people’s freedom and rights. That includes not polluting their soil, not depriving them of livable environments, and not compromising their quality of life.
I will, totally, support green codes. I do not however believe that mandatory green-roofs will ever get on a ballot or in the building codes. What we need (like you brought up) is a serious tax incentive/rebate plan for green-roofs for both Residential and Commercial. Wouldn’t it cool to water a green-roof from a rainwater collection system on the same building? I think we will see the day when all new buildings will be required to have a certain percentage of green integrations, technologic (panels water heaters, ventilation) and/or passive systems (like green-roofs, skylights, rain collectors). Let’s hope it’s soon. As for us, we will build a straw-bale home, off the grid,… with more dogs.

The Pella Corp. reports that sales are beginning to rise as a result of the energy efficient windows tax credit currently available to consumers who upgrade to super efficient windows.

A spokeswoman for the company, Kathy Harkema, said that despite layoff of 37 workers earlier in the fall, the company is nearly at full production.  The company employs 8,600 throughout the country and is Iowa-based. It is one of the major green businesses that manufacture energy efficient windows in the United States.

One element of the recession has actually helped Pella Corp.: fewer people are moving and more are getting to home improvement jobs in their current homes.  Naturally, homeowners want to install the most energy efficient windows and doors because of the long-term savings in energy and dollars expected from this improvement, and the government is currently offering incentives to help make that possible.

The energy efficient windows tax credit that was expanded in the 2009 Stimulus Package offers a reason for home owners to get to the “to do” job jar now. Windows and doors installed and “placed in service” between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010 are eligible if they are certified energy efficient. The credit is only for renovation of primary residences and does not apply for second homes or for new homes.  The credit covers 30% of the costs up to $1500. 

Green Research Council