Get Paid to Save Water

My neighbors in Northern California have done an excellent job of being drought-aware and reducing water consumption -- we have buckets in our showers, our plants are on a drip system, and the lawns are brown.   But, when I walk through my neighborhood, I have mixed emotions about all the brown lawns.  While I am pleased to see them saving water, I am disappointed that they have lost some curb appeal.  But that can change!  Many cities now have incentive programs and rebates and they will pay YOU to replace your lawn with attractive but drought resistant landscaping.

This morning I attended an excellent presentation by Elise Howard and Deb Lane of the City of Santa Rosa and learned of the plethora of ways they will pay me to save water!

As a Residential Customer in Santa Rosa, you can receive a rebate for:

• Removing turf or improving the efficiency of your irrigation system
• Implementing a graywater system
• Implementing a rainwater harvesting system
• Implementing a recirculating hot water pump
• Installing a High-efficiency clothes washer
• Proving you have a sustained reduction of water

As a Business Customer in Santa Rosa, you can receive a rebate for many of the same items above as well as:

• Rebate for high-efficiency toilet or urinal
• Rebate for a dedicated irrigation account or a separate meter for irrigation
• Reduced sewer fees when implement available technologies

Don't get surprised at tax time

• Unfortunately your rebates are taxable to the Feds and water agencies may issue you a 1099 if your rebate was more than $600. Ugh!
• The GOOD NEWS is that California does NOT tax the turf-removal rebate.  Hooray!  Thanks to AB 2434, your turf-removal rebate is tax-free to CA from 2014 through 2018.

Let the IRS pay your Moving Costs


One of my dear friends just moved from San Francisco to New York.  While I was sad to see her go, I am excited that she has a fabulous deduction for 2015 -- the Moving Expense deduction!

The moving expense deduction is one of my favorites because it is easy to qualify and it is deducted in a better place than most deductions so everyone can take it (i.e. you don't have to itemize).

To qualify:

• You have to start your new job within a year of moving (easy!)
• You have to work in the new location for at least 39 weeks (easy!)
• Your new job location must be 50 miles farther from your old home than your old job location was (well, okay.. that rule isn't so clear but that is why you have an EA do your taxes)

What expenses are deductible:

• Boxes, crates and packing tape
• Cost of your movers
• Transportation to your new location (flights, vehicle expense, lodging)
• Cost of moving your pets to your new location
• Storage costs for 30 days before your stuff is moved to your new home
• Cost of connecting/disconnecting utilities

What you cannot deduct:

• More than one trip per person
• Food along the way
• Pre-move house-hunting trips
• Cost of selling your old home/breaking your lease
• Cost of moving furniture you buy on the way to your new home (this one amused me)

So, go get that job you always wanted and let your EA get you a big deduction at tax time!