The Hometown Treasure February 2012 | Page 40

Dollar$ & $ense Tax Corner Indiana Private School Deduction by Devon Weaver, Keeping Tabs Accounting Home Energy Credits The Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit is aimed at homeowners installing energy efficient improvements such as insulation, new windows and furnaces. The credit is more limited than in the past years, but can still provide substantial tax savings. • The 2011 credit rate is 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements. Energy efficiency improvements include adding insulation, energy-efficient exterior windows and doors and certain roofs. The cost of installing these items does not count. • The credit can also be claimed for the cost of residential energy property, including labor costs for installation. Residential energy property includes certain high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and stoves that burn biomass fuel. • The credit has a lifetime limit of $500, of which only $200 may be used for windows. If the total of nonbusiness energy property credits taken in prior years since 2005 is more than $500, the credit may not be claimed in 2011. • Qualifying improvements must be placed into service to the taxpayer’s principal residence located in the United States before January 1, 2012. Homeowners going green should also check out the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, designed to spur investment in alternative energy equipment. • The credit equals 30 percent of what a homeowner spends on qualifying property such as solar electric systems, solar hot water heaters, geothermal heat pumps, wind turbines, and fuel cell property. • No cap exists on the amount of credit available except for fuel cell property. • Generally, labor costs are included when figuring this credit. Not all energy-efficient improvements qualify for these tax credits, so homeowners should check the manufacturer’s tax credit certification statement before they purchase. Taxpayers can normally rely on this certification statement which can usually be found on the manufacturer’s website or with the product packaging. Crossroads Food Animal Veterinary Service Serving Northern Indiana & Southwest Michigan 2007 Graduate Purdue School of Veterinary Medicine Herd Health Maintenance Basic Medicine & Surgery Emilie J. Blough DVM 57643 CR 31 • Goshen, IN 46528 • 574-606-7280 Reproductive Ultrasound Cattle • Sheep • Goats • Pigs One bill provides a deduction for individuals if they send a child to a private school or provide home schooling and have unreimbursed education expenses. For parents that meet the qualifications, a deduction against income of up to $1,000 per dependent child for tax years beginning after December 31, 2010 is available. Education expenses include expenses in connection with enrollment, attendance, or participation of the taxpayer’s dependent child in a private school or homeschooling. Homeschooling does not include the delivery of instructional service in a home setting to a dependent child who is enrolled in a school corporation or a charter school. There is a 180 day qualification on this credit. Phone 260.768.7043 • Fax 260.768.7085 24 Hour Service 260.463.1404 Ryan Miller • Glen Miller Monday - Friday 8-5 • Saturday 8-1 7965W 050N • Suite 1 • Shipshewana, IN 46565 ½ mile south of US 20 on the left hand side in the old Double Eagle Building New & Used Tires Major Brand Tires Off Brand Tires • Flat Repairs Custom Wheels • Trailer Wheels Brakes • Oil Changes Suspension • Ball Joints Tranny Flushes • Much More We do tires for: Semis • Trucks SUVs • Farm Equipment • Etc. The Hometown Treasure · Feb. ‘12 · pg 39