Section 48 Investment tax credits (ITC) are Federal tax credits for taxpayers who build facilities that generate electric power from renewable energy sources. Qualified property includes:
Unlike tax deductions, however, credits minimize the total tax bill on a dollar-for-dollar basis. For example, if you are eligible and receive a credit for $5,000, you’ll enjoy a reduction of $5,000 on your taxes. Deductions, on the other hand, would reduce your taxes by a percentage of the $5,000, depending on your tax brackets. If your tax rate was 21%, then the $5,000 deduction would reduce your tax liability by $1,050 ($5,000 * 21%).
Generally, the credit amount is 6% of the cost of the qualified property. However, the law does provide for an increased credit amount range of 30% to 50% by meeting the prevailing wage and apprentice requirements and earning available bonuses.
The 30% base credit amount is earned if any of the following occurs:
There’s no better time to claim your ITC than now. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provides opportunities for organizations to capture substantial incentives around their energy-related projects. However, a certain degree of preplanning must occur to be able to meet all the requirements for the increased benefits. A qualified project with $500,000 of qualified costs could generate an increased benefit of $250,000 versus the standard credit amount of $30,000. $220,000 of additional credit is at stake. Key language must be present in your agreements, coordination must occur with your contractors and subcontractors, and procedures must be in place to capture supporting documentation to meet IRS guidelines.
Whether you need assistance understanding the meaning of an investment tax credit or want to begin taking advantage of its tax possibilities, the team at CTI is ready to support you. We are a trusted tax consultancy firm specializing in helping businesses save money and identify areas for growth. We maintain a deep knowledge base of ITC regulations and leverage proven processes and innovative software to develop personalized strategies you can trust.
Our leaders have decades of experience and take their role as partners seriously. They come from numerous legal, accounting, and engineering backgrounds, and utilize a consultative approach to deliver the service you deserve. At CTI, we pride ourselves on developing meaningful relationships with all our clients and ensuring they have a dedicated collaborator they can trust.
Interested in working with our tax incentive experts for your business investment tax credits? Contact us online to learn more about how we can drive your business toward success.

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Reach out to a tax consultant to learn how CTI powers your business for success.