As the markets continue to adjust to a post-pandemic world with high interest rates and inflation, multi-family new construction projects and acquisitions remain an area of growth. As more investors move into this area, maintaining a competitive edge is more important than ever, and taking advantage of cost segregation and its benefits can give investors the boost needed to stay ahead.
The whole intent of Section 179D is to provide an incentive in the form of a tax deduction to building owners who install energy-efficient lighting, windows & doors, roofing, insulation, and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Hot Water (HVAC/HW) equipment in new buildings or retrofit projects. All buildings in the US are eligible for the 179D deduction, except housing units less than 4 stories above ground. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) affected section 179D in several ways, and the next three years will present a golden opportunity for the owners and designers of energy-efficient commercial building property (EECBP).
When it comes to commercial real estate investments, one aspect that often goes unnoticed is the potential tax benefit through cost segregation. This powerful tax planning tool allows property owners to accelerate depreciation deductions, resulting in significant savings. In this blog, we will explore the concept of cost segregation, its benefits for companies, and the available guidance provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We will also delve into why the IRS requires engineers to perform cost segregation studies and its implications for accuracy and compliance.
Since its creation in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Building deduction has provided an incentive for taxpayers to install energy-efficient commercial building property (EECBP) as part of the building envelope, lighting, and/or Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Hot Water (HVAC/HW) systems. EECBP comprises light fixtures, switches, HVAC equipment, automated controls, ducts, water heating, windows, doors, insulation, and roofing. EECBP may be installed in a new building, or it may be part of a retrofit project for an existing building. Buildings that qualify for 179D include almost all buildings in the United States except residential housing less than four stories above ground. That’s a lot of eligible buildings!
“If you build it, he will come.”
The 1989 movie Field of Dreams hit a home run at the box office and drafted this inspiring line to number 39 in the American Film Institute’s 100 Greatest Movie Quotes of All Time. For those who haven’t seen the magical, feel-good movie: a ghost of baseball past repeatedly whispers these words to Ray, a young corn farmer and baseball aficionado.
Have you had the pleasure of playing the real estate investment boardgame Monopoly? For anyone who’s shuffled the game's distinctive pieces across the board, “bought” and “sold” teeny houses and hotels, lost a pseudo fortune to a well-invested opponent, or scored some of that characteristically colorful money with a fortuitous Community Chest card, you know it’s a game of strategy. Your friends who scrutinized their investments and calculated every move usually won the game.
As a CPA, you want to provide your clients with the best service possible. Part of superior service includes saving them the most money, wherever and whenever you can. And a cost segregation study can answer that call to help discover more hidden cash. Read on to find out how.
You are a savvy business owner. Part of your business acumen includes knowledge of potential tax credits that can benefit your bottom line. However, the words “potential for audit” linger in the back of your mind.
The 21st-century conservationists have firmly planted the phrase ‘going green’ into the American lexicon. It ubiquitously serves as a catch-all term for the act of swapping old processes, services, laws, materials, and products for those that carry some environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient element. Green building construction is just one of the many environment-saving efforts happening today.
I’m a little bit of a do-it-yourselfer (DIYer). As with many other “I got this” zealots, I’m always game for saving a few bucks and invigorating the ego with bragging rights for completing a task or home-improvement venture that most others would call upon a professional to tackle.
