Bauexperte
2012-08-30 13:54:44
- #1
Investing in a photovoltaic system can be worthwhile
With a solar system on the roof, homeowners earn money that also interests the tax office. Certain costs can also be deducted.
A solar system is not only good for the climate. For homeowners, it also pays off financially. Because the electricity produced flows into the grid. Homeowners receive money for this. "You become a taxpayer as an entrepreneur when you install a photovoltaic system on your house and feed the electricity generated there into the public grid," explains Nora Schmidt-Keßeler from the Federal Chamber of Tax Consultants in Berlin. The consequence: solar power producers must pay tax on their income. On the other hand, costs can also be deducted.
Basically:
With a solar power system on the roof, homeowners can calculate well. Because feed-in tariffs are fixed for 20 years. However, the subsidy rates have dropped significantly in recent years. "In 2004, the kilowatt-hour of solar power from a small rooftop system was still remunerated at 57.40 cents; currently, it is only 18.54 cents," explains Carsten Körnig from the Federal Association of the Solar Industry.
In contrast, the prices for solar power systems have also dropped rapidly, so that the investment generally continues to pay off. "The production costs of solar power are already significantly below consumer electricity prices. This creates an incentive to also consume the solar power produced on one's own roof," Körnig explains. Purely mathematically, a photovoltaic system on a single-family house can generate the family's annual electricity demand.
Trade tax:
The sale of the electricity produced is basically a commercial activity. Nevertheless, "normal households generally do not have to pay trade tax," explains Anita Käding from the Taxpayers Association in Berlin. Because it only becomes due above a certain limit. If the annual surplus is under 24,500 euros, no trade tax is levied according to Käding.
Income tax:
Income tax becomes due if a profit is made with the photovoltaic system, i.e., if the income from selling the electricity is higher than the expenses for operating the system. "Operating expenses include repair and maintenance costs, insurance fees, and meter rental. But also interest on a loan to finance the purchase are operating expenses," explains Anita Käding.
Value-added tax:
Most private operators of photovoltaic systems are small businesses. "For small businesses, no VAT is charged if the previous year's turnover does not exceed 17,500 euros and the turnover in the current calendar year is expected not to exceed 50,000 euros," explains Nora Schmidt-Keßeler from the Federal Chamber of Tax Consultants. One advantage of small businesses is that they do not have to deal with the sometimes complex formalities, explains Nora Schmidt-Keßeler. The disadvantage: small businesses could no longer deduct VAT – for example, for the purchase of the photovoltaic system. "Thus, applying the small business regulation could be a bad deal."
Deductible costs:
Acquisition costs can reduce taxes. "You can depreciate a photovoltaic system purchased today for 20 years at five percent each year," explains Anita Käding. An example: "If the system costs 10,000 euros, the depreciation amounts to 500 euros per year," explains Käding. "These 500 euros and other operating expenses for the system are claimed as costs that reduce the profit from the photovoltaic system."
Conclusion:
Investing in a photovoltaic system can be worthwhile for homeowners overall, explains Stephanie Zipp from Stiftung Warentest. Especially if their own electricity demand is high. "If you get a good offer, don’t hesitate for too long," the expert advises.
Source: dpa
Kind regards
With a solar system on the roof, homeowners earn money that also interests the tax office. Certain costs can also be deducted.
A solar system is not only good for the climate. For homeowners, it also pays off financially. Because the electricity produced flows into the grid. Homeowners receive money for this. "You become a taxpayer as an entrepreneur when you install a photovoltaic system on your house and feed the electricity generated there into the public grid," explains Nora Schmidt-Keßeler from the Federal Chamber of Tax Consultants in Berlin. The consequence: solar power producers must pay tax on their income. On the other hand, costs can also be deducted.
Basically:
With a solar power system on the roof, homeowners can calculate well. Because feed-in tariffs are fixed for 20 years. However, the subsidy rates have dropped significantly in recent years. "In 2004, the kilowatt-hour of solar power from a small rooftop system was still remunerated at 57.40 cents; currently, it is only 18.54 cents," explains Carsten Körnig from the Federal Association of the Solar Industry.
In contrast, the prices for solar power systems have also dropped rapidly, so that the investment generally continues to pay off. "The production costs of solar power are already significantly below consumer electricity prices. This creates an incentive to also consume the solar power produced on one's own roof," Körnig explains. Purely mathematically, a photovoltaic system on a single-family house can generate the family's annual electricity demand.
Trade tax:
The sale of the electricity produced is basically a commercial activity. Nevertheless, "normal households generally do not have to pay trade tax," explains Anita Käding from the Taxpayers Association in Berlin. Because it only becomes due above a certain limit. If the annual surplus is under 24,500 euros, no trade tax is levied according to Käding.
Income tax:
Income tax becomes due if a profit is made with the photovoltaic system, i.e., if the income from selling the electricity is higher than the expenses for operating the system. "Operating expenses include repair and maintenance costs, insurance fees, and meter rental. But also interest on a loan to finance the purchase are operating expenses," explains Anita Käding.
Value-added tax:
Most private operators of photovoltaic systems are small businesses. "For small businesses, no VAT is charged if the previous year's turnover does not exceed 17,500 euros and the turnover in the current calendar year is expected not to exceed 50,000 euros," explains Nora Schmidt-Keßeler from the Federal Chamber of Tax Consultants. One advantage of small businesses is that they do not have to deal with the sometimes complex formalities, explains Nora Schmidt-Keßeler. The disadvantage: small businesses could no longer deduct VAT – for example, for the purchase of the photovoltaic system. "Thus, applying the small business regulation could be a bad deal."
Deductible costs:
Acquisition costs can reduce taxes. "You can depreciate a photovoltaic system purchased today for 20 years at five percent each year," explains Anita Käding. An example: "If the system costs 10,000 euros, the depreciation amounts to 500 euros per year," explains Käding. "These 500 euros and other operating expenses for the system are claimed as costs that reduce the profit from the photovoltaic system."
Conclusion:
Investing in a photovoltaic system can be worthwhile for homeowners overall, explains Stephanie Zipp from Stiftung Warentest. Especially if their own electricity demand is high. "If you get a good offer, don’t hesitate for too long," the expert advises.
Source: dpa
Kind regards