According to the US Department of Energy, buildings consume around 37% of the energy almost 70% of the electricity produced in the United States. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct) was enacted to help save energy by encouraging commercial building owners to incorporate energy efficient features in their buildings. The program was originally scheduled to expire at the end of 2009, but in 2008 EPAct was extended through December 31, 2013. For buildings placed in service between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2013, the building owner is eligible for a federal tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot if certain energy efficiency criteria are met. EPAct has proven to be a great incentive for owners, resulting in significant energy savings and an increased awareness of energy efficient technologies. To fully implement the intent of the legislation, in the case of public buildings where no federal tax liability exists, the designer of the building is allowed to take the deduction upon obtaining a written allocation letter from the owner.  

The designer is the “person primarily responsible for the design” and may include an architect, engineer, contractor, environmental consultant or energy services provider who creates the technical specifications for a new building or an addition to an existing building. To qualify for the full $1.80 per square foot deduction, the building must achieve a 50% energy savings as compared to a similar building that would have met the minimum requirements of ASHRAE 90.1 – 2001. The energy savings must be achieved through: (1) the building envelope; (2) the interior lighting system; and (3) HVAC & Hot Water systems. Each system contributes $.60 per square foot to the total deduction and can qualify independently. Partial deductions of from $.30 to $.60 per square foot are also available for lighting under IRS interim rules.

Any building that falls under the guidance of ASHRAE 90.1 – 2001 is eligible and IRS Section 179D defines the specific procedures required to obtain the deduction. Basically, the building must be modeled – both in a “baseline” (2001) version and an then using actual components, using approved building simulation software to determine how many systems qualify for certification. An independent, qualified person must conduct a physical site visit to certify that the qualifying systems were installed in accordance with the modeled documents. The amount of the deduction, taken in the year the building is placed in service, is entered on the tax return of the person applying for the deduction. The IRS allows taxpayers to amend tax returns for up to three years, so it still possible to claim the deduction for a building placed in service in 2007 depending on when the ’07 tax return was filed. 
Nilo C. Regojo, AIA, LEED^® AP  
nregojo@engineeredtaxservices.com 
267.303.1142

For additional information please contact:

Nilo was born in Miami, Florida, and grew up visiting construction projects with his father, a civil engineer. This early influence directed him to a career in architecture. His love of older buildings led him to Philadelphia. He received his Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida and a Master of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania.

Nilo’s experience includes working for various architectural firms in Miami and Philadelphia as well as a national developer of historic residential properties. He also ran his own practice for four years. Prior to joining A² Group to develop the firm’s in house architectural practice, Nilo was a principal at spg³ in Philadelphia. His projects draw upon his unique expertise which consists of innovative design tempered with real world experience. 

Nilo is a member of the USGBC, the Delaware Valley Green Building Council (DVGBC) and Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. As spg3′s first principal to become a LEED Accredited Professional, he also led the firm’s Sustainability Initiative.

In December 2009, Nilo became a Certified Building Commissioning Professional

Punit R. Shah
President | Liberty Group of Companies

We engaged Engineered Tax Services as our consultant to prepare a Cost Segregation Analysis for our new hotel development project in Florida. Throughout the entire process, from design development to construction completion, ETS was actively involved in ensuring maximum efficiencies with our intended result in mind. We clearly defined our program from the initial stages, and ETS was proactive in their approach to deliver a final product that achieved our goals. We would recommend ETS to any developer looking for a detailed and complete CSS report.

 Michael I. Daszkal, CPA
Managing Partner | Daszkal Bolton LLP

We have utilized ETS for cost segregation studies and certain energy and R&D tax credit engagements for our firm’s real estate holdings as well as for our clients’ real estate and business interests. The way ETS incorporates energy credits and insurance into other engagements for maximum benefit is unique – no one else does this. The fact that ETS insures their reports through Lloyds of London instills confidence and security. I have personally referred over 60 contacts to ETS for cost segregation studies and will continue to send referrals. The ETS professionals are competent, service-oriented and, most of all, provide cost savings to our clients. By having a reliable source to handle these kinds of engagements, we have essentially increased our firm’s value-added service offerings. That is the truest definition of a strategic partnership.

  Lou J. Fuoco, CPA
Managing Director | Fuoco Group, LLP

I have worked with Engineered Tax Services for approximately two years and feel that they are the best in the business in terms of providing cost segregation and energy tax services. They are a true partner that opened our eyes to how to bring significant tax benefits to our real estate clients while generating significant income for our firm through leveraging our client base. I believe Engineered Tax Services exhibits many of the qualities that are essential to CPA firms looking to assist their clients in these specialty tax services. I have no problem ever putting them in front of my clients. I highly recommend them.

 Fredrick Miller |IKEA

You and your team did a tremendous job for us in terms of providing cost segregation and energy tax services. The tax benefits for us nationally were impressive, as were your services.

 Marvin Feinstein
Principal | Bonavista Holdings, Inc.

Bonavista Holdings, Inc, is a real estate holding company with approximately 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space located primarily in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Our firm engaged Engineered Tax Services to perform a cost segregation study on our behalf. I received a favorable result that exceeded all of my expectations. I found Mr. Gonzalez to be extremely competent, thorough and knowledgeable of the subject matter, I had used other firms to do similar work previously, and none compared to the expertise and professionalism exhibited by Mr. Gonzalez’s firm. Needless to say, I would highly recommend his firm, and I would not hesitate to use his services in the future.

Green Tax Incentives & Stimulus Benefits

Please join us for this informative and educational webinar. You won’t want to miss this presentation

Thursday - August 26, 2010 – 4:00PM – 5:00PM NO FEE!

Presented by:
Carol Hayward
Engineered Tax Services

Highlights will include:

• Ideal candidates for Energy Tax Certification
• Components of a building that can be analyzed and receive certification
• Lighting rules and standards necessary for qualification
• The CPA “Cookbook” for developing an Energy Tax Niche
• The three “must dos” for Architects

Program Level: Basic level; no prerequisites required. Provides one hour CPE certificate or one USGBC CE hour.
To receive your certificate, please contact ascotti@engineeredtaxservices.com after the presentation.

Program: “Energy Tax Benefits for Architects”
Provider:  Julio Gonzalez of Engineered Tax Services
Time:  11:30am – 1:30pm
Location:  Historic Fifth Street School Auditorium
Address: 401 S. 4th Street, Las Vegas

Reap Maximum Tax Benefits
For Energy-Efficient Building Design, Construction, Upgrades and Renovations

Did you know that there are tax credits that can benefit architects, engineers and designers?  Learn how to take advantage of them and incorporate them into your projects.
 
Congress passed legislation in August of 2005 to encourage property owners to build energy efficient real estate properties to promote reduction in energy consumption. Service dates were from 1/1/06 through 12/31/08.
 
· The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (HR-1424), approved and signed on October 3, 2008, extends the benefits of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 through December 31, 2013.
 
· The ruling allows up to a $1.80 per sq. ft. tax deduction for commercial property owners. Incentives were also allowed for contractors, site home builders and residential home owners.
 
In Sum, you can go back three years and carry forward the energy tax benefit for 15 years. Important: Refunds may be due to you!

You must go to the AIA LV website calendar to RSVP for this event.

Click here to RSVP

Earlier this month, DFK/USA announced the agreement to their member firms in the following communication:

TO:     DFK/USA Firm Liaisons
FR:     Jay Hauck, Executive Director
RE:     Announcing new preferred resource sponsor:  Engineered Tax Services (ETS)

DFK/USA is pleased to announce an agreement with Engineered Tax Services (ETS) to help member firms provide specialty tax services in the area of the Energy Policy Act. As DFK/USA’s preferred resource sponsor, ETS can help DFK member firms bring value to your clients and generate a new income stream in this niche market sector.

• Generating significant revenue by providing value-added services to your existing client relationships and through revenue sharing.

• Staying involved with the implementation of your clients’ financial services needs, rather than risking loss of the relationship by referring it elsewhere.

• Accessing sophisticated capabilities of engineering services, providing the ability to offer value-added services to clients.

• Having access to business development approaches and training through comprehensive prospect-developed programs by ETS.

In addition to ETS’s revenue-sharing program, ETS has generously agreed to be a year-long sponsor at DFK/USA’s major conferences.  We are looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with ETS.

For more information, please contact ETS directly: 

Julio P. Gonzalez
CEO
Engineered Tax Services, Inc.
Office Telephone: 1.800.236.6519
Office Facsimile: 1.888.607.2425

This agreement has been reviewed and approved by the DFK/USA Executive Committee.

By John J. Cummings, JD

 
Alright, so you just bought or built a commercial property. Maybe it’s a 70-room hotel or a 5-star resort or even an enormous office complex. Whether you spent $5 million or $500 million, chances are really good that you need to do a proper cost segregation study to ensure maximum and optimal acceleration of depreciation (maximum up front tax deductions and saving). You already know this in theory. But, depending on the type of property you’re depreciating, you may not realize that you are also throwing money away if you don’t properly segregate the assets within that building for future renovations and abandonment deductions that result from those renovations. Additionally, accelerating tax deductions without proper support could put you in the penalty box with the IRS, when it’s easy to avoid that trap.

(Click here to read the Full Article)

Curious about where you can find an ETS event? Check out our company Facebook Events Calendar!  There are dozens of events coming up in the next few weeks, and more are scheduled every day. If you don’t see your city listed, check back again soon. We will likely be in your neck of the woods in the very near future.

Would you like to schedule us for an outstanding 179D Energy Tax seminar, webinar or conference? Please contact us. We are adding new events all the time and welcome requests.

For more information about our Green By Design: Understanding 179D Energy Tax Benefits for Architects and Designers series of seminars, or to schedule a speaking engagement, please contact Loryn Nash at 888.607.2425.

Michael D’Onofrio will be participating with an esteemed panel to discuss Private and Federal incentives for Green Projects, including senior representatives from the Department of Energy and the State of Alabama that will convene 11:00 am Wednesday August 25, 2010 in the Alagasco Breakout Pavilion (Jefferson Convention Complex – Birmingham, AL).

Time is running out to register for the Green Building Focus Conference & EXPO 2010! Don’t miss this opportunity to meet the top minds in sustainable development from around the world. Network with your peers and earn AIA and USGBC continuing education units at the largest and most prestigious Green Building Event in the Southeast. Click here for registration information.

Green Tax Incentives & Stimulus Benefits

Please join us for this informative and educational webinar. You won’t want to miss this presentation

Thursday - August 5, 2010 – 4:00PM – NO FEE!

Presented by:
Carol Hayward
Engineered Tax Services

Highlights will include:

• Ideal candidates for Energy Tax Certification
• Components of a building that can be analyzed and receive certification
• Lighting rules and standards necessary for qualification
• The CPA “Cookbook” for developing an Energy Tax Niche
• The three “must dos” for Architects

Program Level: Basic level; no prerequisites required. Provides one hour CPE certificate or one USGBC CE hour.
To receive your certificate, please contact ascotti@engineeredtaxservices.com after the presentation.

 
Green By Design:  Understanding Energy Tax Benefits for Architects

When
Thursday, August 12, 2010 – 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Where
Center of Architecture – Main Hall
1218 Arch St Philadelphia, PA 19107

Presented By
Julio P. Gonzalez
Chief Executive Officer

Who Should Attend?
This program is intended for architects interested in the learning about the refunds due to them for energy efficient design of Public Buildings since 2006  available through the Energy Policy Act.

Key Learning Objectives

• Gain an understanding of the recently extended federal tax benefit available for the design of energy-efficient public or government-owned buildings
• Learn how to take advantage of valuable tax savings and increase cash flow for your business

How to Register
Register by email to ffox@engineeredtaxservices.com

If you have any questions, please call (240) 398.8488 

Lecture Fee
$20.00 AIA Members
$10.00 Students
$30.00 Non-members

This instructor-led program will offer 1.0 credit hour of continuing professional education from the AIA, USGBC and NASBA. Please confirm the CPE sponsor requirements of your licensing board upon registration.

This informative lecture is proudly sponsored by