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Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 1442
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015 - 12:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I've been asked to modify an existing spec job to include Federal Tax ID Credit? Even better the PM for the Architect has asked me to clarify for him what revisions may be required for this Tax Credit. Seriously, I have no idea what an ID Credit is, familiar with Energy Conservation Credits, can any of my peers offer an explanation?
John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Member
Username: bunzick

Post Number: 1639
Registered: 03-2002
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015 - 02:25 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

This sounds like it should be part of the contract itself, not the specifications. And, as you point out, what kind of credit do they mean? For example, in Massachusetts public construction, the law used to be set up such that the contractor could purchase materials using a tax exemption ID number. (That has since been changed.) Or, there may be a credit available for a solar rebate. In any case, there is no credit I can think of that would be part of the specifications as opposed to the contract. However, if the task is to select certain products that would be eligible for a tax credit of some kind, I would say that the architect is the one that needs to determine this.
Liz O'Sullivan
Senior Member
Username: liz_osullivan

Post Number: 195
Registered: 10-2011


Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015 - 02:46 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Sounds to me as if something got lost in translation from owner to architect to specifier.
Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 1443
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015 - 02:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Here is the exact language from the email I received from the Architect's PM this morning:
"the hotel is seeking a Federal Tax ID Credit and I understand there is a format to follow with specifications for this. Are you familiar with the requirements? If so, can you direct me to what those may be?"
However Liz, you are on the money again its like that cartoon that illustrates a swing hanging from a tree as what the Owner wanted, followed by each interpretation, the last being how it was built.
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 942
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015 - 02:58 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Sounds like once again you've been hit with the weird question of the day.

There must be hundreds of thousands of companies with Federal Tax ID numbers. I doubt anyone gets a credit just for having one. If you find out differently, I'll gladly sign up for one.
Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP
Senior Member
Username: lazarcitec

Post Number: 1444
Registered: 05-2003
Posted on Monday, August 24, 2015 - 03:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

Its a Monday, what do you expect?

Actually its now a sad Monday as I found out today the Florida REP for Sherwin Williams, Randy Moore, passed away last month. Really nice guy, 58, passed from a heart attack, Randy will be missed.
James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: jsandoz

Post Number: 176
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - 08:13 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

When I was a "project architect," PSWD (pre-spec writer days) and working on public school projects in Texas there was some document included in the procurement requirements and contracting group (Division 00) that enabled the contractor to get a refund, or avoid paying sales tax in the first place, on materials and equipment installed on the project. This did not include the contractor's overhead expenses, only stuff that actually went into the structure and became the Owner's property. The idea being the Owner was exempt from sales tax so this savings was passed on in the form of lower construction cost.

I didn't do work for any non-profits or churches then so I don't know if this 'exemption' was available to those entities as well.
James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA
Senior Member
Username: jsandoz

Post Number: 177
Registered: 06-2005


Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - 08:14 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

To clarify my previous post, the tax exemption was for Texas state sales tax not for any federal tax.
ken hercenberg
Senior Member
Username: khercenberg

Post Number: 943
Registered: 12-2006


Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 - 09:31 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post

I don't think many private developers get to be sales tax exempt. Is there sales tax on construction materials in Florida?

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