Had a good laugh while doing our taxes....

Colleen

Colleen

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
When we moved in to this house last February, it needed a LOT of renovations. So far, we've spent at least $60,000 and $21,000 of that was for all new windows and a new front door.

I took the tax credit for the energy-efficient windows and door and the laugh came when it figured a credit of $500. What?? I was expecting maybe a little more, but only $500 out of $21,000??

Thought you might need a laugh, too :)
 

Yup, this country's energy tax credits are a joke. When we put a new furnace in 10 years ago, we could claim the credit, but only once.
Some countries make it worthwhile to upgrade to efficient or renewable energy.
Look at the bright side, you'll be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
 
Colleen said:
When we moved in to this house last February, it needed a LOT of renovations. So far, we've spent at least $60,000 and $21,000 of that was for all new windows and a new front door.

I took the tax credit for the energy-efficient windows and door and the laugh came when it figured a credit of $500. What?? I was expecting maybe a little more, but only $500 out of $21,000??

Thought you might need a laugh, too :)
Click to expand...
Big question is has it made your heat bills lower enough to justify the added expense?
 

We put in Low-E windows (low emissivity windows, they block heat in the summer and cold in the winter) in the house and garage a few years ago. They've made an enormous difference in our energy bills. (We didn't get a tax credit, though; they weren't offering it that year; that's us: always doing stuff at the wrong time, lol.)
 
Colleen said:
When we moved in to this house last February, it needed a LOT of renovations. So far, we've spent at least $60,000 and $21,000 of that was for all new windows and a new front door.

I took the tax credit for the energy-efficient windows and door and the laugh came when it figured a credit of $500. What?? I was expecting maybe a little more, but only $500 out of $21,000??

Thought you might need a laugh, too :)
Click to expand...
I am glad someone thinks it is funny. Good for you.

When I do my taxes, I dislike every bit of it. I don't mind paying taxes, but why can't we use a form that is less than one page? They can take our money without making so many stupid exceptions, rules, and requirements. The money they (Feds) spend on the IRS and people to read and monitor these complex tax laws, could probably payoff much of what people owe. The Federal Government continues to grow....and cost the American people more and more to feed that monster...
 
The savings in energy bills is yet to be seen but I'm sure it's been a big help because we don't feel the drafts coming in around the windows like with the old windows.

Another thing about doing our taxes: it cost $120 to do our taxes this year (I always do them and they're usually free, except state) because we took the energy credit and we had to file in 2 different states (AZ & PA). It's all a rip off, isn't it? So, we are actually getting back a whopping $450. I guess it's better then paying in.....sigh :(
 
officerripley said:
Wow, it costs us about $300 to have our taxes done!
Click to expand...
We use to get it done when we had stocks, mutual funds, etc. to claim profit and loss but that was lost in 2009, so we normally only have a basic 1040 to do so I've done our taxes for years. I always have to pay for state taxes form but it's now $45. It use to be $15. What can you do??
 
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