Spring has sprung, The grass has riz,
I wonder where your solar is?
The big ol' sun up in the sky,
Will provide you power and thats no lie.

The end of the year brings the thought of the Spring yet to come. And with that Spring comes the taxes yet to pay.

I think this is why we’ve been getting a lot of questions about the 30% Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar. Some claim that one should calculate the 30% tax credit before any state or utility rebates; i.e., the gross installed cost. Others claim one should calculate the 30% after deducting state rebates; i.e., the net cost paid to your installer, who typically collects the rebate on your behalf. Which is right?

Before I answer that excellent question, please read the following 3 important points:

1) We are solar contractors, not accountants. Please, consult your personal tax professional before following our unprofessional tax guidance.

2) As of 12-15-09, the IRS and its tax lackeys have yet to write clear guidance on this issue. Instead, they have left it up to interpretation, thus far. This may be their idea of tax accounting humor. We are not amused (but please don’t audit us.) Nevertheless, as noted below, we have consulted an authority on the subject.

3) Please Re-Read #1 and #2. You have been warned. Cross your fingers and read on.

So, which is right? The short answer is that both are right, but one method applies to residential solar (homes) and the other applies to commercial solar (businesses) –but with a catch.

For Residents:

• Calculate your 30% Federal tax credit after any state or utility rebates. That’s how we do it here on MRT ENTERPRISE. In other words:
• If the cost of your solar power system was $35,000 before any rebate, and you receive $15,000 in state rebate money, then we suggest you calculate the 30% off $20,000.
• Thus, your tax credit would be $6,000, bringing your net system cost to $14,000.
• Important Note #1: This $6,000 tax credit is not refundable. So, if you owe $3,000 in taxes for 2010 to the IRS, you’ll pay no taxes on April 15th, but Uncle Sam won’t be sending you a $3,000 refund check. Instead, you must apply this to next year’s taxes….or the next.
• Important Note #2: If you get your solar system through a solar lease or a solar PPA, you DO NOT get the 30% tax credit or any REC payments, if applicable. The solar leasing or solar PPA company gets it. Too much to go into now, but this is why buying is better in the long run. That reminds me to shamelessly plug the fact that you can get a free solar quote now from one of our knowledgeable staff to see if solar makes financial sense for you…or not.

For Commercial Solar Installations:

• Feel free to calculate your 30% Federal ITC tax credit before any state or utility rebates. But there’s a catch.
• The catch is that Uncle Sam sees you as a profit making venture. Consequently, if you get a rebate of $15,000 rebate from the utility, that’s seen as income/revenue, and therefore, they’re going to tax that $15,000.
• So, in the same example, you can subtract $15,000 off your $35,000 gross cost, and also apply another $10,500 (30% x $35,000) to your quarterly tax bill, making your pre-taxed net cost $9,500.
• However, that $15,000 will be taxed as income, and thus….could take away any gain over the residential net benefit. Bummer.
• Important Note (again): If you finance your solar system through a solar lease or a solar PPA, you DO NOT get the 30% tax credit or any REC payments, if applicable. As with residential, the solar leasing or solar PPA company gets it.
• Important Note: Solar companies and developers who are creating solar products or large industrial installations for can apply for 30% “grant.” Yes, cash. This is part of the stimulus package, but it doesn’t apply to non-solar businesses. Bummer again.
• Important Note #2: If you sell your commercial property within 5 years of installtion there may be some tax consequences.

And what is our source for the above? We have divined this tax guidance from the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), Please see this SEIA FAQ and the corresponding explanation from our other friends at the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (aka DSIRE.)