Oh, Bother...

[Leta]

DH and I spent $4000 on replacement windows for our house last year. I read on the window manufacturers website that, in order to get the Energy Tax Credit ($1200!), you have to save every sticker off of every window. We did not do this. Frankly, I don't see how we could- they ball up like crazy when you pull them off.

Are we screwed?

[grahamsmom98]

We installed all new windows in my late Dad's house prior to selling it last Spring. Had the same thing happen to us re those damned stickers!

I called the window place and they told me I just needed to bring the receipt (showing exactly what we bought) to our accountant (tax preparer) and that would do just fine.

The receipt should have a listing of the window dimensions and energy rating. If it isn't on your receipt, call the company you purchased from (I assume they did the install), and ask for an itemized receipt. Explain you need it for the tax credit, they should be able to give you just what you need!

If you are doing your own taxes and have any questions about the tax credit and what is needed to prove you purchased them, call the IRS. They really are a nice bunch of people (don't kill the messangers for the message! ), and can be very helpful!

[Leta]

Oh, man, this goes from bad to worse! My dad's friend bought the windows for us at cost, and we paid him in cash. So we don't have a receipt. And, don't hate us, by my dad and his friend did the installation for free.

So I'm going to have to contact the factory that built the windows (they are custom replacements) and have a receipt generated from John's account.

Egad!

[KristyDi]

Could your dad's friend make you a receipt?

[Leta]

Sure, but the documentation has to be REEEALY specific as to exactly what kind of windows they are for the energy rating.

Bottom line, I'm going to have to do some research.

[CathMac]

Originally Posted by Leta

Sure, but the documentation has to be REEEALY specific as to exactly what kind of windows they are for the energy rating.

Bottom line, I'm going to have to do some research.

Leta,
Did you try using a razor blade, a heat gun, or both? I think you have to work the sticker very slowly with the sharp edge and the heat.

It might be too cold out to do that now. But perhaps you could try again in the Spring (if you haven't removed all of them yet).

Also, you might try using a clear heavy duty packing tape to "laminate" the top before peeling it off, which might make it easier to keep it intact and minimize the tendency to wad up.

Worst case scenario, I would suggest taking a couple of pictures, a close up of one and distance shots of the rest (but close enough that you can see the stickers), only then would I remove them. As long as at least one comes off semi-intact then hopefully anyone looking at them after removal could tell that the others match it, notwithstanding their condition.

Then I'd store them with your records in a Zip Loc bag.

Good luck.

BTW,
Again, if you haven't removed the rest of the stickers, you may want to ask your tax preparer how long you would need to keep them on the windows for the IRS in the event that they come looking for them. And maybe take pictures for your paper file.

~Cath

[grahamsmom98]

Oh, man, this goes from bad to worse! My dad's friend bought the windows for us at cost, and we paid him in cash. So we don't have a receipt. And, don't hate us, by my dad and his friend did the installation for free.

No, it isn't bad or worse. It really is very easy, as long as the original purchase was documented and legal.

How you paid him doesn't matter (cash or credit), but he most certainly can make a receipt for products and services provided.

First off, ALWAYS get a receipt!!! Especially from a friend (when you are talking about that amount of cash!!! It keeps friendships in tact when there are no questions about money exchanging hands between friends (solid proof that the exchange actually took place!). This protects you from his ever saying he provided you with something, but never got paid! Plus, this was a business deal, from your friend's end of things (he ordered & purchased the windows). It protects him, too, should there ever be an investigation into his business or taxes.

It may be too late to get a receipt, however. Legally, the date will not show up correctly on his books as being purchased/installed in 2009 (a purchase-order/install in 2009 wouldn't have receipts dated in 2010, unless doctored - not a good idea for anyone). Too, it will show you paid for the products in 2010. So, the whole thing may be moot and you can't get the credit.

You really need to contact the IRS or an accountant knowledgable in the energy tax credit info about all of this!!

Your friend had to have gotten a receipt of some kind when he purchased the windows from the supplier/manufacturer. What are his credentials so that he can order custom-made windows (is he a contractor or in building supplies)?

It's no different than when you are having a house built and the contractor buys everything (whether it's windows, appliances, water heater, etc). The contractor doesn't get any energy tax rebates, the owner, the final customer, does.

If he (no offense) honestly, ordered custom-made windows for you from the manufacturer, there HAS to be a paper trail showing the payment made to the manufacturer (they should have clear records of the transaction to your friend). He (and, the manufacturer) should easily be able to provide you with the necessary documentation.

Your friend should have a receipt from the manufacturer! If they were custom-made and you can't get a receipt from him (or, the manufacturer), it sounds pretty fishy.

[Leta]

Yes, I've checked with John and he can get us a copy of his reciept from MBS (window supplier) but all those stickers are long gone- when we pulled them off, we trashed them.

[grahamsmom98]

Yes, I've checked with John and he can get us a copy of his reciept from MBS (window supplier) but all those stickers are long gone- when we pulled them off, we trashed them.

All John has to do is request copies of those stickers from MBS and they will provide them, as long as he has proof he ordered them. That is one more reason you should get a receipt from John, showing you purchsed them through him!

The manufacturer installed the windows we ordered. The installers removed all the stickers and cleaned the windows before leaving which, at the time, I thought was wonderful. Then I realized the sticker/tax credit dilemma! That's when I called the manufacturer with my concerns.

Both the manufacturer and our accountant told us you don't need the actual stickers, as long as your receipt has the correct and necessary detailed information as to the type of windows purchased/installed. Tell John he needs an itemized receipt from MBS, stating the energy rating, dimensions and purchase price of the windows. His receipt (between you and he) needs to show that you purchased the windows, through him, in 2009.

That is what you need for tax purposes. The IRS does not expect you to keep scraped-off stickers!

What Are The Requirements For The Tax Credit?

Only windows and doors with a U-Factor of .30 or less qualify. U-Factor is a measure of the window’s overall energy-efficiency. Many windows have U-Factors of .31 or .32. Those don’t qualify.

Windows and doors also need a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of .30 or less. A low SHGC blocks the blistering heat that comes through windows in the summer, reducing the load on your air conditioning. Once again, .31 or .32 aren’t good enough. It has to be exactly .30 or less.

U-Factor and SHGC are independently tested and verified for windows by the National Fenestration Rating Council. Any reputable window will have a NFRC sticker.