Committee on the Environment

 View Only
Back to discussion forums
Expand all | Collapse all

Continuing ed opportunity: "179D Tax Deduction for Architects and Engineers"

  • 1.  Continuing ed opportunity: "179D Tax Deduction for Architects and Engineers"

    Posted 12-13-2010 10:06 AM
    http://info.aia.org/blast_images/kc/kc_pmkc_179D_tax_deduction_for_architects_and_engineers.html

    179D Tax Deduction for Architects and Engineers

    DATE: Wednesday, December 15, 2010 
    10:00-11:00 AM Pacific / 11:00-12:00 AM Mountain / 12:00-1:00 PM Central / 1:00-2:00 PM Eastern 
    1.0 AIA/CES credit is available for this webinar. 

    Registration is free, but required. Go to https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/303387281

    Description:

    As an architect or designer, you may be entitled to a tremendous federal tax incentive, which was recently extended by Congress. Under the tax code, if you have implemented energy efficient designs for government owned buildings, such as public schools, airports, courthouses, libraries and student housing, you are eligible to receive a tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot. For example, if you designed an eligible building that is 100,000 SF, you may receive up to $180,000 of federal tax deductions, even though you have no basis in the property. You can also retroactively claim any missed deductions on buildings designed since 2006. This class will explain how the deduction works, the types of properties that qualify, how to figure out if you are eligible, and how to secure your deductions.

    Learning Objectives:

    • Participants will learn how the deduction benefits architects and designers, and how to determine eligibility.

    • Participants will review three case studies to learn about the types of properties that qualify: public school, lighting retrofit (parking garage) and student housing.

    • Participants will learn how to secure their tax deductions.

    Presenter: CJ Aberin, Manager of KBKG, Inc., a firm specializing in Green Building Tax Incentives 
    Moderator: Scott A. Kuehn AIA, PMKC Advisory Group 


    -------------------------------------------
    Mark Wills
    Manager, Codes Advocacy
    The American Institute of Architects
    Washington DC
    http://www.aia.org/codesadvocacy
    -------------------------------------------
    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13


  • 2.  RE:Continuing ed opportunity: "179D Tax Deduction for Architects and Engineers"

    Posted 12-14-2010 05:22 PM
    A word of caution -
    Just because an accounting firm suggests that you may be eligible for 'found' money does not mean its free or easy. My firm was approached in 2008 with a pitch very similar to this, and it sounded quite reasonable and intriguing. We signed an agreement with the CPA (they collect up to 50% of all 'found' money, hence their interest) and filed amended tax returns to claim these credits. We were shortly hit with a full IRS audit and subsequent denial of our petition.

    At the end of the day, we were out the prep fees (for amended returns) to the CPA, additional audit fees to our own CPA and 100+ hours of staff time. Your experience may vary from this, but I suggest you be wary of CPA's bearing gifts.

    -------------------------------------------
    Peter Saucerman AIA
    Dreyfuss & Blackford Architects
    Sacramento CA
    -------------------------------------------






    AIA26 San Diego June 10-13