11
OPINION
Green building cash incentives
Discover how sustainable building design can drive significant cost savings in 2024 and beyond.
A s the world confronts the urgent challenges posed by climate change and rising energy costs, businesses are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions to enhance operational efficiency. Among the available strategies, the section 179D deduction emerges as a critical financial incentive for investing in energy-efficient improvements to commercial buildings. This provision of the Internal Revenue Code not only promotes sustainable practices but also delivers substantial tax savings, enabling organizations to offset costs associated with upgrading to greener technologies.
Rachel Lindblade
The United States is actively addressing climate change through significant measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable practices. One of the most impactful initiatives is the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides substantial tax incentives for clean energy investments. This legislation supports renewable energy tax credits, as well as investment deductions for efficiency improvements, encouraging both businesses and consumers to adopt greener technologies. WHY IS 179D A GREAT INCENTIVE TO PROMOTE GREEN BUILDINGS? The IRA significantly enhances clean energy investment and mitigates climate change through improved tax incentives. A standout
feature of this legislation is the expansion of IRC section 179D, which provides tax deductions for energy-efficient improvements in commercial buildings. The core principle of Section 179D is to incentivize investment in energy-efficient technologies and design, mainly in the Building Envelope and Systems (HVAC and lighting) design, thereby promoting resource efficiency and sustainability. With the IRA, the deduction allows commercial property owners and design professionals to deduct up to $5.36 per square foot in 2023, and up to $5.65 for 2024 for qualifying energy-efficient upgrades,
See RACHEL LINDBLADE, page 12
THE ZWEIG LETTER OCTOBER 28, 2024, ISSUE 1559
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker