179D Tax Deduction Hawaii

The 179D Energy Efficient Building Deduction (EPAct) is a tax deduction of up to $5.00/sf that is available to those in Hawaii investing in energy-efficient improvements placed in service after December 31, 2005. Ideal candidates for 179D deductions are architects, engineers, and design-build contractors of tax-exempt buildings as well as commercial building owners.

Our team of engineers and tax experts will obtain the maximum EPAct 179D Tax Deduction available in the state of Hawaii, following IRS guidance. The tax deduction applies to energy-efficient lighting, HVAC systems, and the building envelope. The process for obtaining the 179D deduction in Hawaii requires a detailed analysis that must be certified by a qualified third party. KBKG has the in-house expertise and the necessary professional qualifications to certify your Hawaii property as required by the IRS.

Case Study: Hawaii

A hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii with 135,265 square feet qualified for the 179D full tax deduction.

KBKG successfully obtained $243,477 in total 179D tax deductions.

What is the EPAct 179D Tax Deduction?

The 179D Deduction, also known as the Energy-Efficient Commercial Buildings 179D Tax Deduction, is a tax incentive first introduced in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act. The program’s intent is to drive commercial building owners and Designers of tax-exempt buildings to reduce their energy use by rewarding the implementation of energy efficient building components, specifically, the HVAC system, interior building lighting, and the building envelope for newly constructed buildings or renovations. In 2020, 179D became a permanent part of the tax code.

Who can Qualify?

• Architects, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, and other designers of tax-exempt buildings
• Commercial Building Owners

Commercial building owners who are taxpayers can benefit from the program in the form of accelerated depreciation. However, many of the largest commercial buildings in the United States are owned by non-tax-paying entities, such as local municipalities, State and Federal governments, military facilities, K-12 schools, universities, etc., and therefore, they can’t reap the financial benefits of a tax deduction. However, Congress still wanted to incentivize the inclusion of energy-efficient components in these buildings, so they expanded 179D to allow the building owner (government entity) the ability to allocate their deduction to the taxpaying designer of the energy-efficient properties of the buildings.

What did the Inflation Reduction Act Change?

In 2022 and prior years, architects, engineers, and design-build contractors are eligible to receive allocations on projects they designed for federal, state, and local government-owned buildings. Starting in 2023, they can ALSO receive allocations for their design work on the tax-exempt entities listed below. This means many building types that were previously ineligible to participate in 179D can now do so!

Further, the Inflation Reduction Act significantly expanded the benefit of the program from up to $5.00/square foot.

Eligibility Expansion in 2023 and forward includes Tax-Exempt Entities

In 2022 and prior years Architects, Engineers, and Design-Build contractors are eligible to receive allocations on projects they designed for federal, state, and local government-owned buildings. Starting in 2023 they can now ALSO receive allocations for their design work on the tax-exempt entities listed below. This means many building types that were previously ineligible to participate in 179D now can!