Wind Energy Credits Extended and Phased-Out

An income tax credit is allowed for the production of electricity from wind facilities.  This credit is equal to 1.5 cents per kilowatt-hours of electricity produced.  The producer can also elect to take 30% of the cost of the facility as a credit against their income taxes instead of the production credit (Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is the largest user of these credits).  These credits were scheduled to expire for any projects beginning construction after December 31, 2014.

However, this period has been extended to construction starting before January 1, 2020 with certain phase-outs.  If construction starts after December 31, 2016 and before January 1, 2018, there is a 20% reduction.  For 2018 starts, it phases-out by 40% and for 2019 starts, the phase-out is 60%.

Most farmers do not build wind energy projects, however, many farmers are approached by wind energy companies to build wind energy towers on their property.  This indicates you may be approached by these companies again in the next couple of years.

Paul Neiffer, CPA