Roof and Solar work separate or together for Fed Tax Rebate?

[JBinCBad]

Hi, a bit of a tyro here on rebates and financing. I live in Carlsbad, CA and will be re-doing my roof, an installing a 4.5kw system. My re-roofing is scheduled for this Monday (Aug 3), and I haven't committed to particular solar company yet (a couple finalists in mind).

How will this affect my tax credit issues? I know I need to fix my roof before solar, and because its solar-related, I can take the 30% fed tax credit, but how does the mechanics actually work for this? Do I have to have the roofer and the PV installer on the same contract, with PV guy paying roofer? Can I do them separately, at separate times, and still take the deductions at tax time?

Thanks for helping a economically challenged guy,


Joel

[Naptown]

My answer would be no.
Replacing roofing is a maintenance item and would be needed regardless of a solar install.
There is no definite answer to your question.
Check with a tax pro and not a forum.

[JBinCBad]

I've gotten a lot of different answers to this question, so I hope others chime in. Most PV installers suggest its fine, and only matters if you're audited (gee thanks). If there is a reference for a need for roof work in the PV bid, it seems like via reference, that should justify the roof repair as well, but would love to hear input on actual incorporating language or (hopefully not) someone that was audited and had claimed the deduction.

Cheers,
Joel

[J.P.M.]

My answer would be no. Replacing roofing is a maintenance item and would be needed regardless of a solar install. There is no definite answer to your question. Check with a tax pro and not a forum.

FWIW, +1. What you get here is probably well intentioned and a lot of it comes from experienced pros, but hardly any of it carries consequences if wrong.

[Ian S]

Most PV installers suggest its fine, and only matters if you're audited

Why should it matter if you're audited? After all, if it's really legitimate, it won't be an issue even in an audit. What they're really saying is it's OK as long as you don't get caught. I'm not sure I'd take tax advice from solar salesmen. Get the OK in writing from your tax accountant.