Hi,

I'm renovating my house, and I want to find out what TAX INCENTIVES / CREDITS are available (like if I try to build more energy efficient and greener, I know there must be Tax Incentives).... but how can I research this? Does anyone have any ideas or know of websites or books? I'm completely new at this, so the more detailed the help, the better. THANKS!

Check this out

http://www.dsireusa.org/

Check with your local utilities, especially your electric power generator. Often they offer incentives/rebates to induce their clients to by the most energy efficient products, since rebates are much cheaper than the construction of new power-generation facilities.

You might also inquire of your local building department. Although it's not their job to tell you which products to select, the effort to be energy efficient often elicits the personal help of the people there, in steering you toward selections (which you have to elect) that might make your project more energy efficient. The people in the building department will also tell you if you are going about things incorrectly, since it is their job to enforce the model energy code, as adopted into the national building code(s).

Finally, the greatest incentive toward building in the most energy-efficient manner will likely be the projected long-term savings accrued by you for every day you live in the structure, not withstanding any incentives, tax or otherwise. As the cost of heating and air conditioning your home continues to spiral out of control, a few extra dollars up front in buying extra levels of insulation, extra-efficient windows and doors, etc., and extra efficient heating and air conditioning systems will continue to reap savings year after year in the cost of operating the home, beginning with the smaller heat plant(s) and air conditioning unit(s) to condition the same cubic footage of house, along with the smaller sized ducts to deliver the conditioned air to where it needs to be.

I do not think this is the answer this person is looking for about tax incentives. I really do not think you can count off anything on your income tax on a house that you live in. A rental unit, yes you can.

Since a rental unit is counted as Income you can count off this expense of keeping it up.

Yes there are tax incentives for energy conservation, got this link on my website: [URL=http://www.houstoncpa.biz/Default.aspx?Article&ID=316]
And for the record, a count off is better referred to as a deduction.

We have done home improvements for over 30 years. I tell you. if you can count this off of yur income tax I would like to know how.We have tried several times. We have done new heating and air conditions etc and none was excepted as a tax deduction.

We have had clients turned down for many years when they tried to write off the updating cost of Heat and Air and insulation. EXCEPT ON RENTAL UNITS. Then the upkeep, repair etc is deductable.

There is legislation currently being proposed known as Snowe/Feinstein "Extend the Energy Efficiency Incentives Act of 2006" Go on line and search Snowe/Feinstein or
www.energyefficienthomearticles.com

There is a tax credit available for your 2006 return on energy improvements made to your home (primary residence). Briefly, it is 10% of the cost of qualifying improvements up to $500. So, a maximum of ten percent of $5000 worth of upgrades. The following is an article about the rules on the IRS website.
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154657,00.html

not only am I interested in where to find tax breaks, I also would like to how to properly get an apraisal for our home. My boyfriend built this home 12 years ago himself,it is poly steel block with poured concreat wall and rebar.The house is aprox 4400 square two story and walkout basement,it is the most comfortable home I have ever been in. soundproof, no drafts,we heat with a 60,000btu furnace the up and down stairs and a heated 1000sq. attatched garauge.he electronic ignighter went out a couple of years ago and it took two days it was Jan.1 the coldest it got was 62 and i turned on the oven for an hour and was like toast up and down.But I need proper appraisal for refinance.can you help. thanks corrina