Midwest Window Tinting, 3M Window Film, St Louis, Missouri (MO)

Tax Credit Information

This will help answer the question of whether or not you are eligible for a tax credit under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. Qualifications can be confusing. However, this should help clear some of that confusion.

First, the government has divided the United States into eight climate zones. The St. Louis Metropolitan area is currently located in “Zone 4” which has more strict qualifications in order to be eligible for your tax credit. You need to have LOW-E windows in order to be tax credit eligible. The “E” stands for emissivity. This is the main factor in determining your tax credit eligibility. All 3M™ films will qualify for the tax credit, so long as you have LOW-E windows. Other window film distributors, such as Llumar or Vista, require a specific type of Solar-Control LOW-E windows in order to be eligible; and not all their film selections may be tax credit eligible. 3M™ Window Films are higher performing, longer-lasting, and offer you more options. All 3M films are TAX CREDIT ELIGIBLE if you have a standard LOW-E window.

Once you are eligible for the tax credit, how much credit you receive is still questionable. Other dealers will tell just you that you will get a 30% tax credit. What they won’t tell you is that the tax credit is based on the material cost ONLY. You may also get false information about the price of materials. If false information is given and you claim this on your tax return, YOU are the one responsible for any fraudulent activity—not the dealer! It is important to keep an invoice for the product installed—separating the cost of the material and the installation. You must also have a specific IRS tax form for filing your tax credit. Midwest Window Tinting will provide you with that form.

Even though you many not be eligible for the tax credit, it is still important to understand that you will be saving money by lowering your energy bills. You can get up to 79% heat gain reduction with 3M™ Window Films; which will also lower your energy consumption. Either way, you will be saving money and helping the environment.

Here are some helpful links regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204335,00.html

http://finance.senate.gov/sitepages/leg/LEG%202009/012309%20chairman's%20mark%20of%20the%20American%20Recovery%20and%20Reinvestment%20Act%20of%202009.pdf

Tax Credits for window tinting/improvements are now in effect until December 31, 2016!

Tax Credit:

30% of cost with no upper limit

Expires:

December 31, 2016

Details:

Existing homes & new construction qualify. Both principal residences and second homes qualify. Rentals do not qualify.

Other Important Information:

Step 1 Find solar control window film. This is what you'll use to tint your home windows and it's available at most home improvement stores.
Step 2

Check the product package to see if the solar control window film is approved for the tax break. You might also visit the company's website to verify the tax credit. When you file your taxes, you'll need verification from the manufacturer that this product is tax deductible. That information should be available on the website or inside the packaging.
Step 3

Pick your product. Tax approved window tints come in different price ranges and they're not all suitable for each window. Determine how much you want to spend and make sure you get a window film that will work for your needs.
Step 4

Keep your original invoice. You'll need this when you file your taxes. You don't have to mail this in to the IRS, but you will need it in case you ever need to show proof.
Step 5

File your taxes. Submit IRS Form 5695 to claim your window tinting tax credit.
Step 6

Enjoy your tax credit. A homeowner gets a 10% tax savings on the cost of the solar control window film, up to $500. And that $500 includes all energy efficient upgrades you made to your home. Installation is not included in the tax break; only the cost of the window film is.
Step 7

Lower your energy bill. When you tint your home windows you save 30% to 50% on your home energy costs. That's quite a savings and you don't have to wait until tax time to enjoy it.

IECC 2009: Standards published by the International Code Council, the IECC sets forth compliance methods for energy-efficient construction of both residential and nonresidential construction.

SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Coefficient)
Measures how well a window blocks heat from sunlight. The lower the SHGC, the lower the heat gain through
a window. SHGC ranges from 0 to 1.


U-Factor: Measures how well a window, door, or skylight prevents heat from escaping. It is similar to the R value for insulation. The lower the number, the more efficient the window. Ratings usually range from 0.20 to 1.20.