Darn IRS

[mom-from-missouri]

OK....I'm bad, just now doing the taxes....with Turbo Tax. (Normally I am done by Feb). I have never had a problem before (I have also in the past taken several tax classes) and for the last 7 years have done our taxes with Turbo just fine. The first year we were married, I did them TT and hubby took it to an accountant. The account charged $350, and made numerous errors and we would have had to pay when in reality we had a refund coming. DD#1 was doing taxes at the time, and she looked both over, said my TT was right, accounts were wrong, so we have TT ever since.

So, back to my gripe....We replaced several windows that were energy eff windows--ok, the window (not installation-which we did ourselves) count towards the energy credit. So does the new furnace we installed (which the installation labor does count)...the roof, only the new roof system counts (not the installation)...BUT, my question is....does ONLY the asphalt system count?? What about the fact we also had to replace the roof edge, gutter aprons, vents and felt?? Are those considered part of the asphalt system?? We went with a 30 year insulated roof system. Shingles were marked that they were approved for the energy credit, but since the other items had to be replaced also, do they get counted??? So I called the IRS. Twice. Once told yes, once told no. If they don't know, how am I supposed to know??? TT just says "the roof", but not the installation of or labor costs involved. I am a woman, so I am assuming since they are necessary for the roof, they are considered part of the roof...So I am including them.

Now, to confuse it further, the insurance paid for a standard roof, minus our deductible. We went with a better energy roof, and had to pay the difference which was a couple thousand dollars.

At least with Turbo Tax, if this throws up red flag, it will give me an error message to recheck it...

Just gets me though, I call the IRS and get 2 different answers from 2 different people for the same question......

[jpg7n16]

You might be able to get them to mail you what's called a 'private letter ruling' (essentially, a decision made by the IRS for your specific case, documented in writing)

Private letter ruling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Then you could use that ruling as support when filing your tax return for the year.

Code, Revenue Procedures, Regulations, Letter Rulings