Income Tax 2009 Guide

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Stimulus Bill provided $300 million to states for consumer rebates on the following ENERGY STAR qualified appliances:

• central air conditioners
• heat pumps (air source and geothermal)
• boilers
• furnaces (oil and gas)
• room air conditioners
• clothes washers
• dishwashers
• refrigerators/freezers
• water heaters

Each state will develop its own rebate program, and has the flexibility to select which appliances to include and what rebate amounts to offer.

State plans are due to DOE by October 15, 2009.  Once approved, and the funds are disbursed, states can begin to roll out their programs.  Rebates could be available for consumers by late 2009 or early 2010, though this will vary by state.

Amounts commonly offered range from $50 to $250, depending upon the product being purchased, purchase price, and other market factors. Federal tax credits and other financial incentives may be claimed for the same products, as long as they qualify under the rules of the programs and are not specifically excluded.