What is the 2009 Roofing Tax Credit?

The 2009 roofing tax credit is a two fold plan rolled out by the Federal government. The first and most relevant of goals is to help stimulate the economy by enticing people to re-roof their homes, which of course will in turn create jobs in the roofing manufacturing and construction industry.

The secondary goal of the 2009 roofing tax credit is to reduce harm to the environment by requiring consumers to install energy star products on the homes to receive the tax credit. The installation of energy star roofing on your home will help to fulfill this goal by reducing the heat within the home, which will reduce the consumption of electricity needed to cool the residence.

Covered by the Roofing Tax Credit
The tax credit states that the roofing materials must be metal with an appropriate pigmented coating or asphalt with cooling granules that meet energy star requirements. Like most things with the government the exact materials that are covered by the roofing tax credit are somewhat vague. Energystar.gov provides a list of some products that are approved to receive the tax credit, but consumers should also check with the manufacturer prior to purchase to ensure the materials qualify.

The government has also placed a restriction on the tax credit that the roof must be installed on the principal residence of the tax payer between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010. Principal residence is defined as a home you own and use as your principal place of residence. (where you live most of the time) The principal residence covered includes a house, houseboat, mobile home, cooperative apartment, condominium, or manufactured home.

Amount of the Credit
The roofing credit is based on the cost of the materials used. A consumer can receive a tax credit of 30% of the material cost up to $ 1,500. As stated this credit is based on the energy star approved materials and is not based on installation/labor cost.

The Energy Star Difference
It is also a great idea to use materials that will reduce the heat of your residence, simply to reduce your energy consumption and your impact on the environment. However not all consumers will benefit the same from the use of a reflective heat reducing roof.
Reflective heat reduction roofing is most beneficial in hot sunny climates. If your roof is completely shaded or even partially shaded you may not benefit as much as someone with a roof that is in direct sunlight. However even if your roof is shaded you will still receive the tax credit, receive benefit of heat reduction roofing and get a new high quality environmentally friendly roof.