{"id":1006,"date":"2018-12-07T10:03:06","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T10:03:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/genrenew.com\/?p=1006"},"modified":"2019-07-25T17:35:19","modified_gmt":"2019-07-25T17:35:19","slug":"what-you-need-to-know-about-the-federal-solar-tax-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/genrenew.com\/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-federal-solar-tax-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE FEDERAL SOLAR TAX CREDIT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Americans have seen the need to install solar panels<\/a> at home and in the workplace. However, most are afraid of the initial cost that comes with putting up one. The good news is that solar is now more affordable in the US. This is all thanks to the federal solar tax credit bill which took effect on December 18, 2015. This bill covers a 5-year extension for solar tax credit. Get to know this better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Overview<\/strong>
Referred to as investment tax credit (ITC), the federal tax credit legislation covers a deduction amounting to 30 percent of the total solar energy system installation cost during the computation of your federal taxes. This applies to both commercial and residential systems. Regardless of how much you will spend on the installation, that value will be covered in the computation of your federal tax deduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who is Qualified for the Credit?<\/strong>
All owners of a solar energy system are qualified to claim the solar tax credit, regardless of whether or not you have enough tax liability to cover the claim in one taxable year. All remaining credits can be rolled over to the next year, provided that the tax credit extension is still in effect. Take note though that you will not be allowed to claim the tax credit if you are simply leasing the solar energy system from a solar installer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Does the Extension Impact the Solar Industry?<\/strong>
The ITC was initiated in 2005 via the Energy Policy Act and was supposed to expire in 2007. However, with initiatives from lawmakers, the expiration date was postponed up until 2016. It is as if the extension is not enough, an additional expiration date via the 2015 bill was granted. Here is how the extension impacts the industry.
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Other Changes that the Solar Tax Credit Brought<\/strong>
Note that in the past, when the ITC was originally established, new solar energy system owners were not allowed to claim tax credit until the solar energy system was put into use. The new legislation, however, has changed this scenario. Now, solar energy system owners are allowed to claim the credit once the installation is complete. All systems that are already being operated by December 21, 2023 are covered in this legislation.<\/p>\n