Cherrytree Group LLC Blog

The "Commercial Building Tax Deduction" establishes a tax deduction for expenses incurred for energy efficient building upgrades made by a building owner . The deduction is  for $1.80 per square foot of the property, with allowances for partial deductions for improvements in interior lighting, HVAC and hot water systems, and building envelope systems.

Commercial real estate owners and business owners who have upgraded their buildings to be more energy efficient may qualify for tax deductions or investment tax credits. Consumers and business people should take advantage of the tax incentives. Generally, a tax credit is more valuable than a tax deduction because a tax credit reduces your taxes. A tax deduction only reduces the taxes that you owe by a percentage.

As a commercial real estate owner, if you have improved the energy efficiency of your commercial property or added energy efficient systems into your new building, you could be eligible for a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot.

To qualify for the full deduction, the energy efficient investments must reduce energy costs by at least 50%.  A partial deduction of $0.60 per square foot is available for investments in one of three systems—lighting; heating and cooling; or building envelope. Remember, tax deductions reduce your overall taxable income which reduces the percentage of taxes you owe.

Do you want to know if you qualify for energy efficient tax credits or tax deductions? Contact The Cherry Tree Group, a Massachusetts based business consultant, and broker and syndicator of tax credits.