Energy credit for blinds and other questions

[JG EA]

1. Why would it be that I can't find anything on energy star about special track blinds when there is a Manufacturer's Certificate for them that says "Eligible Building Envelope Components"?

2. Where is the nice table chart energy star had last year?

3. Do you put on line 21 income for being on a town's water committee?

[ChEAr$]

1. Why would it be that I can't find anything on energy star about special track blinds when there is a Manufacturer's Certificate for them that says "Eligible Building Envelope Components"?

2. Where is the nice table chart energy star had last year?

3. Do you put on line 21 income for being on a town's water committee?

1. not familiar with term "eligible building envelope components", whatever that means, but blinds do not qualify for individual 1040 energy credits as far as I know.

2. it must still be there somewhere, cached in some nook or cranny of the web.

3. active participation on a committee sounds like se income to me, hence schedule cez.

[S T]

Energy Credit and Window Coverings

Maybe this article will assist - it is a 2009 article and more if you "google" something like which window blinds qualify for energy tax credit [http://www.forbes.com/2009/10/27/win...ce-window.html

Sandy

[JG EA]

3. active participation on a committee sounds like se income to me, hence schedule cez.

ChEAr$

My client is really set on not. He was directly told by the CPA firm that issued the 1099 that it would not be subject to SE. They said it is like an Honorarium. I've looked and looked for something I can tell him. TTB has in it about corporate directors (do pay), notaries (do not pay), election workers,etc. but I can't find anything about these homeowner type associations that pay board members. I also can't find anything under honorarium.

ST
Thanks for the help. The article concluded "can rely on certificate". The certificate says it goes under insulation. These are not ordinary blinds - they cover a large section and are on a track - as I understand.

[FEDUKE404]

More on the blinds

It looks as if you can call the blinds "insulation" and they would qualify for the energy credit. You should note that only the actual cost of the blinds (and not the installation) can be used.

My concern would be someone trying to take "blinds" only, versus a more comprehensive window/frame/blind unit.

Here are a couple of links of interest.

Merchant explanation of credit for "shades":

http://www.blindschalet.com/taxcredit.aspx

Manufacturer's certificate of compliance:

http://www.blindschalet.com/pdfs/CTrackCertificate.pdf

The things you can learn on these boards......

FE

[AJsTax]

web site

when I went to this web site the information is front and center this year and divivded 2001/2010.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

serving on a committee is the same as a board of directors, not SE income.

[Davc]

serving on a committee is the same as a board of directors, not SE income.

Serving on a board of directors is SE income See Rev Ruling 72-86.

"Fees received by a director of a corporation for performing services on its board of directors are income from a “trade or business” and are includible in net earnings from self-employment;"

[Burke]

I also can't find anything under honorarium.

While it is difficult to find this term in IRS pubs, the services you describe would not qualify as an honoraium (technically, a unexpected gift for teaching primarily). Your client has an ongoing relationship with the board and is being paid -- probably -- a fixed sum for his services at each meeting. It should be reported on 1099MISC and subj to SE.

[JG EA]

Thanks everyone!

The chart I was speaking of on energy star last year was better that the one now. Easier to read and find what I wanted..

And as for the board member. I guess I will just give him him the quote from the 1099-Misc that says it is usually SE.

Also, if the firm that produced it thought it wasn't SE why did they put it in box 7? I will tell him that.

Thanks again for all the help