Learn about New Windows or Replacement Windows and Doors for Today's Homes: February 2014

The Taxman is Coming. Don’t Forget Your Tax Credits

By Gates Dearen

With the holidays, Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day now behind us, one of the big blinking lights on everyone’s calendar is April 15th, income tax day. If you’ve not yet done so, it’s time to start

Tax Day Reminder (Photo credit: SalFalko)

gathering and organizing your W2s, 1099s, receipts, bank statements and other pertinent paperwork. There is good news if you just purchased a home, took out a construction or home improvement loan, or if you just upgraded your home by replacing your old windows and doors with new, energy efficiency models.

But before you sit down to file your taxes online, or work with your accountant, remember that by owning a home, you may qualify for some of the above mentioned tax breaks. In order to reap, you must sow, which means you’re going to have to go through the process of itemizing your taxes to take advantages of the deductions. Potentially time consuming? Yes. A hassle? Perhaps, but once you’ve done it, the benefits are usually worth the time and effort – especially if you replaced your windows, skylights or exterior doors last year. You may be able to help pay for those upgrades by taking advantage of certain tax breaks. You should always seek the advice and counsel of qualified tax accountant or attorney before claiming any deduction. Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, let’s look at ways you can save money.

Home Improvement Loan Interest

You may be able to deduct the interest on a loan you’ve taken out to make improvements on yo

ur home. Qualifying loans are those taken out to add “capital improvements” to your home, which means the

improvement must increase your home’s value, adapt it to new uses, or extend its life. Installing a new

carpet or painting the exterior isn’t considered capital improvements. However — and here’s the good news — installing new windows, skylights and doors are considered capital improvements.

Energy Efficiency (Photo credit: London Permaculture)

Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credits

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 retroactively renews the Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit of 2011. Homeowners can claim a credit of up to 10% or $200 of the purchase price of qualifying windows and 10% up to $500 for qualifying exterior doors. Installation costs are excluded. Windows, doors, and skylights that are eligible for a federal tax credit and must meet these strict criteria:

Windows must be installed between January 1, 2012 and December 13, 2013.
Products must be installed in the homeowner’s primary residence.
Products must meet Energy Star published criteria for the Energy Star Climate Zone in which they are installed.

Furthermore, if you claimed an energy efficiency credit in a previous taxable year, please consult a tax professional or visit www.irs.gov to determine if you’re still eligible.

What Makes a Window, Skylight or Door Energy Star qualified?

These products are manufactured by an Energy Star partner, they’re independently tested and certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC), and they meet stringent energy efficient guidelines as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The DOE doesn’t require any specific technologies, yet certain product features are common.

Homeowners can claim a Federal Tax Credit for upgrading their primary residence with energy efficient windows and exterior doors.

It’s important to keep in mind that, just like clothing, some windows and skylights are better at insulating you from the cold, whereas others are better at keeping you cool when outside temperatures are warm. Performance criteria for windows and skylights are based on four climate zones: Northern, North-Central, South-Central, Southern) and ratings that have been certified by the NFRC.

Education Tax Deductions (Photo credit: StockMonkeys.com)

In general, doors provide more insulation than windows or skylights, based upon the amount of glass your exterior doors have, called the “glazing level” and ratings certified by the NFRC.

In addition to claiming a tax credit, if you’ve replaced your windows, skylights or external doors, there are other steps you may take to save money on your taxes. Again, when in doubt, it’s always best to seek the advice of a qualified tax consultant or attorney.

· Construction Loan Interest - If you take out a construction loan to build a home, you may qualify to deduct the interest. The IRS only allows a deduction for mortgage interest if the loan relates to your principal residence or a second vacation home used for personal purposes.
· Home Office - If you use a portion of your home exclusively for the purpose of an office for your (small) business, you may be able to claim a deduction on your taxes for costs related to insurance, repairs and depreciation. If you upgraded your windows and an exterior door associated with your home office, these too may be considered deductions.
· Mortgage Insurance Premiums - You may be able to deduct the premiums paid for private mortgage insurance for your principal residence and for a non-rental second home.
· Mortgage Interest Paid at Settlement - If you’ve bought a new home within the past year, on a mortgage of up to $1 million, you can deduct the interest you pay at settlement if you itemize your deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040).
· Points - Did you pay points in order to obtain your home mortgage? These fees are included on the income tax deductions list and can be deducted as long as they are associated with the purchase of a home
· Property Taxes - If they’re based on the assessed value of the real property, you can deduct your state and local property taxes.
· Selling Costs - If you sold a home in the past year, you may be able to reduce your income tax by the amount of your selling costs, which can include title insurance, advertising expenses, broker’s fees, and repairs.

We all know tax codes can be confusing. You may want to consult the IRS’ website for information concerning deductions and credits. To be certain, you should meet with a qualified tax professional to ensure you’re not missing any deductions for which you’re eligible.

In this article, I covered many of the different types of tax breaks the IRS allows for homeowners and individuals and business upgrading their homes and home offices via construction, home improvement loans and energy tax credits. If you found this article useful, pass it on to your friends and neighbors. If you have a comment related to this article, please post it in the Comments section of this blog. It's been my pleasure informing you about these tax breaks. I look forward to our next visit.

Gates Dearen and Richard Walden: Local owners of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. We have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. We know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Our approach is a little different. We strive to match the homeowner with the right windows for their home and budget. We understand that home improvements can be a hassle. We’re here to make life easier with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; and expert, award-winning installers that employ the best practices and respect your home as if it were their own.

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Do Front Doors Make a Statement About Who You Are?

Feng shui Luopan compass (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Gates Dearen

Think of your home’s front door as an integral part of your house’s “facial expression.” Generally, we humans like to make positive first impressions in our interpersonal interactions. One way of doing that, of course, is to exhibit an open, warm, kind facial expression. We do this through our eyes, mouth, and overall facial muscle tone. Similarly, your front door is often perceived as being the “mouth” of your home, the entryway that can not only make a good first impression on others, but that also projects positive energy, prosperity and opportunity. So your front door can give your home’s “facial expression” a distinctive demeanor. (Of course, functionality, safety, energy efficiency, and affordability, are all important as well.)

What kind of statement is your home making if your doors and/or windows are in a state of disrepair? Not only does this make a less-than-favorable impression on visitors, but it also costs you money by allowing energy to escape your home.

Your front door is often perceived as being the “mouth” of your home.

The next time you are invited to a friend’s home, take note of the condition and style of both the door and adjacent windows. If they are not well maintained, if the paint is peeling or the framing looks worn, it’s a sure bet that the owners don’t realized they're losing money.

That is why, even in a tough economy, homeowners are replacing their outdated windows and doors and door surrounds when they notice them starting to age. A good rule of thumb is this: If the windows and doors are more than 20 years old, it’s probably time to look at replacing them.

Say No to “Dour” Doors

The doorway to your home speaks volumes. Do you want to create an impression of being unfriendly, non-sociable, or even impenetrable — as in a formidable fortress or commanding castle? On the other hand, would you rather create one of being welcoming, warm and friendly? Incidentally, the latter

doesn’t necessarily mean your front door is easy to broach by would-be intruders; not with today’s materials and the advent of alarm systems. While specific institutions may want their front doors to say, “Keep Out!” generally, most homeowners would rather their doors reflect friendlier, more welcoming sentiments.

English: Feng shui symbol Français : Symbole feng shui (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Two aesthetic and personality issues regarding doors are the color and shape. Unless you’re building a house from the ground up, it’s often very costly to alter a door’s shape — such as changing a rectangular door to one that has domed, arched top. That usually requires reconstructing the archway, which entails a larger investment. Changing your door’s color, by repainting it, or opting for a new and perhaps a more energy-efficient door is not only more cost-effective, it adds appeal and personality to your home’s “visual statement”.

The Tao of Doors

Ever heard of Feng Shui (pronounced “Fung shway”)? It’s an ancient Chinese art and science developed over 3,000 years ago. Simply stated, Feng Shui is an in-depth system and school of thought that deals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it. Feng Shui concerns itself with the energy or “chi” of a given space. Colors, according to this venerable system, possess and transmit specific energies and sentiments. Since your front door is one of the main focal points of your home, the color you choose makes a clear statement about the personality of your home and hence, about you.

According to Feng Shui experts and/or color psychologists (interesting Ph.D., that), here is what different color doors can denote:

Black

Just like a business suit, a black door projects strength, sophistication, power, and authority. Because it’s been a venerated front door color for a long while, having a black door reflects that you’re consistent, conservative and can even express that you have a reserved personality.

Blue

A feng shui spiral at LA Chinatown's Metro station.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Ahhhhh… Blue front doors signal that your home can be regarded as a place of refuge, that it’s calm, relaxing, and stress-free. Blue, like water, also gives off positive energy and can denote a sense of abundance and prosperity (which is one reason why many Feng Shui-oriented structures — homes and businesses – feature strategically placed aquariums). However, the darker color blues, deep navy versus light azure, can, like a black door, indicate you desire more privacy.

Brown

Whether painted or stained wood door (if yours is of the newer non- or faux-wood materials), a brown front door looks natural and organic, and conveys warmth, stability, and reliability. However, if you choose a fairly dark shade of brown, it can signal a desire for privacy or even isolation.

Green

In Feng Shui, green is associated with tranquility, harmony, safety, and health. (Maybe that’s why hospital operating room personnel usually wear green scrubs?). It also communicates balance, peace, compassion, growth, and renewal. Green also says you’re concerned about your home and your community, and that you harbor traditional values.

Purple

English: Chinese hieroglyph Feng Shui with transparent background (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Historically, the color purple has been associated with royalty. Queen Elizabeth I forbade any of her subjects to wear or display it; only those persons and institutions related to the crown were deemed regal enough to wear purple. This hue symbolizes energy and is thought to invite many opportunities into your home and improve aspects of your life. However, in Feng Shui, if your doorway faces northwest, it’s thought that a white, silver or grey door is better.

Red

It’s nearly universally accepted, perhaps due to its quasi-biological associations, that red denotes passion. Painting your front door red doesn’t mean yours is a house of ill repute, however. It shows your home is vibrant, full of life, zest and excitement.

White

Similar to red’s long historical associations, white represents purity (hence white wedding dresses), virtue, purity and serenity. If your preference is to project being organized, clean and neat, go for white, even though you may need to clean it more often.

Yellow

Perhaps because our brain tissue is predominately yellow, the color denotes wisdom, mental clarity, perception, understanding, confidence and curiosity. It can also suggest humor and merriment. Maybe that’s why the creator of the original, now-ubiquitous smiley face chose yellow for its complexion.

In this blog I’ve discussed how your home’s front door can help portray the personality of your home and yourself. Ascribing sentiments to specific colors from the age old Chinese practice of Feng Shui, I have described what different doors color can portray to viewers by reflecting the owners’ personalities.

Gates Dearen is the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida. Owners Gates Dearen and Richard Walden have been serving the building products industry in Florida for over 25 years. We know the products, the industry, the market and what adds great value to a home. Our approach is a little different. We strive to match the homeowner with the right windows for their home and budget. Home improvements can be a hassle. We’re here to make life easier with first-rate, energy efficient products; affordable prices; strong warranties and expert, award-winning installers that provide excellent service while respecting you and your home as if it were their own.

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