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<DIV>Thanks to Matt and all who contacted me directly and for their input on the
listserv. After researching this issue, I received the same rhetoric from
the IRS. I am meeting with my tax advisor tomorrow before I enter into contracts
later in the week. Thanks again.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Mike</DIV>
<DIV>Michael Gullo</DIV>
<DIV>Solar Solutions LLC</DIV>
<DIV>Marlton, NJ</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=gilligan06@gmail.com href="mailto:gilligan06@gmail.com">Matt
Lafferty</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=SOLARPRO@aol.com
href="mailto:SOLARPRO@aol.com">SOLARPRO@aol.com</A> ; <A
title=re-markets@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-markets@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-markets@lists.re-wrenches.org</A>
; <A title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">'RE-wrenches'</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 15, 2009 10:28
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] Hotel
Exclusion?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>Pat, Kurt, et
al,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406534001-16122009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>With the exception of
changing my email address to "youaregonnahavetoguess" in the body of my
previous post, the text is exactly as I received it. </SPAN><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009>I had EXACTLY the same gut response as Pat did to
their phrase, <EM>"would seem to fit".</EM> Ergo my use of the phrase, <EM>"It
appears".</EM> Caveat emptor, and all that.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=406534001-16122009></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>As
we all (hopefully) know, this is an IRS administered "program". Everything,
and I really do mean EVERYTHING, related to the IRS is subject to
interpretation... Not unlike our dearly beloved "Codes" which are administered
by our not-so-dearly-beloved AHJs. SUBJECT TO INTERPRETATION. CONSULT YOUR TAX
ADVISOR. RETAIN AN ATTORNEY. Y</SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>ada
yada yada. </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>I
think it is prudent to point out that the subject is related to the
grant, as opposed to the ITC. I don't believe there is any question whether or
not hotels and motels are eligible for the ITC. </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009>Personally, I was very surprised to see the original
inquiry from Michael G. </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>I
wasn't able to find any proof of this, but here's one theory: Since the grant
is not available to "residential" property, my instinct tells me there might
be some IRS classification for hotels/motels that might classify
them as "residential" property. Instinct again tells me that, if this is
the case, it is quite likely that it is an "either/or" classification
(residential or commercial) which must be chosen when the property is
originally placed in service. Not unlike the choice to claim "mileage or
actual cost" for business vehicles. If this is the case, then eligibility
would be determined on a case by case basis and would be (I hope) easily
answered by the owner of the hotel/motel. <FONT color=#ff0000>Please note
that everything in this paragraph is merely SPECULATION on my part and
should NOT be relied upon for anything other than fodder for
conversation...</FONT> </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>I
didn't find any language in the guidance document (<A
href="http://www.treas.gov/recovery/docs/guidance.pdf">http://www.treas.gov/recovery/docs/guidance.pdf</A>) that
indicated for-profit hotels and motels would not be eligible for the
grant. Quite the contrary. By my own reading, a privately held, for-profit
hotel or motel run as a business should be eligible on all counts, with the
<EM>possible</EM> exception of whether or not it is [somehow] classified as a
residential property??? It is not a 501(C), it is not a governmental entity,
it is not an electric coop or the like, it is not a tribal entity, etc. I did
verify that hotels and motels where <EM>"more than half of the units are used
on a transient basis"</EM> are NOT classified as residential rental property
as far as the IRS is concerned for depreciation (Page 9, <A
href="http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p527.pdf">http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p527.pdf</A> ).
As far as I can tell, for IRS depreciation purposes, the
real-property should be classified as "non-residential real
property" (<A
href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p946/ch04.html">http://www.irs.gov/publications/p946/ch04.html</A> &
<A
href="http://www.irs.gov/publications/p946/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000107773">http://www.irs.gov/publications/p946/ar02.html#en_US_publink1000107773</A>).
(Side note: I want to know why in the hell there are 4 different Asset Classes
for horses! WTF!) </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>The
"business" would be treated according to its registration class... vis a vis
Corporation, LLC, Partnership, Sole-Proprietor, etc. I'm coming up with
ELIGIBLE in the case of the family-owned corporation model. <FONT
color=#ff0000>Please note that everything in this paragraph is merely
SPECULATION on my part and should NOT be relied upon for anything other
than fodder for conversation...</FONT> </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>I
did find that many local governments classify hotels/motels as residential
rental properties for the purposes of business taxation and/or property taxes.
(Hello Santa Monica, et al). Perhaps there is some overlap or
confusion in interpretation related to this??? </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009>Apartments might be a different story since the real
property is classified as residential rental property, but that's still
business activity, so... ??? </SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009>Calling Jeff Oldham: I did not understand your post
on this topic. </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>Can
you elaborate, please?</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009>Pray for Sun!</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009>Matt Lafferty</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=406534001-16122009></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN class=406534001-16122009>PS
- ynnart po-tsop a si renoissimmoC SRI ehT</SPAN></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> SOLARPRO@aol.com [mailto:SOLARPRO@aol.com]
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 15, 2009 3:49 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
gilligan06@gmail.com; re-markets@lists.re-wrenches.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re:
[RE-wrenches] Hotel Exclusion?<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><FONT id=role_document face=Arial color=#000000>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Matt:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"WOULD SEEM TO FIT..." is that a qualifier contained in the email
sent to you... or a modifier inserted at the end of the message? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Wouldn't that be the same as </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"PROBABLY" ???</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>If you write back, ask ..... "And then???" </DIV>
<DIV>You "most likely" know the answer.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Pat Redgate</DIV>
<DIV>Ameco Solar</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 12/15/2009 2:01:14 P.M. Pacific Standard
Time, <SPAN class=406534001-16122009> </SPAN>@gmail.com
writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; MARGIN-LEFT: 10px"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009>For anyone who might be
interested...</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009>It appears that hotels and motels run as
busninesses are eligible for the 1603 grant. Below is the response from
Treasury to my inquiry on the matter.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009>Cheers,</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009>Matt Lafferty</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN lang=EN>From: 1603Questions@do.treas.gov
[</SPAN><A title=mailto:1603Questions@do.treas.gov
href="mailto:1603Questions@do.treas.gov"><U><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
color=#0000ff><SPAN
lang=EN>mailto:1603Questions@do.treas.gov</U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=EN>] </DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P>Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 10:38 AM</P>
<P>To: <SPAN class=562125321-15122009><A
title=mailto:youaregonnahavetoguess@gmail.com
href="mailto:youaregonnahavetoguess@gmail.com">youaregonnahavetoguess</SPAN>@gmail.com</A></P>
<P>Subject: RE: Eligibility Question</P>
<P>Matt Lafferty-- Thank you for your email question. Page 2 of the Program
Guidance at </SPAN><A title=outbind://8/www.treas.gov/recovery/1603.shtml
href="outbind://8/www.treas.gov/recovery/1603.shtml"><U><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN
lang=EN>www.treas.gov/recovery/1603.shtml</U></FONT></FONT></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=EN> indicates that qualified renewable energy property is eligible to
be placed in service at locations used in a trade or business or held for
the production of income. Hotels and motels would seem to fit as a
business.</P>
<P>**** The response contained in this email is for informational purposes
only. It does not necessarily represent the final views of the US Department
of Treasury or the Section 1603 program and is therefore not binding.
****</P>
<P>-----Original Message-----</P>
<P>From: Matt Lafferty [</SPAN><A
title=mailto:youaregonnahavetoguess@gmail.com
href="mailto:youaregonnahavetoguess@gmail.com"><U><SPAN lang=EN>mailto:<SPAN
class=562125321-15122009>youaregonnahavetoguess</SPAN>@gmail.com</U></SPAN></A><SPAN
lang=EN>]</P>
<P>Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 10:50 AM</P>
<P>To: 1603 Questions</P>
<P>Subject: Eligibility Question</P>
<P>Hi,</P>
<P></P>
<P>Are hotels and motels eligible for the 1603 Grant? The business is a
privately held corporation.</P>
<P></P>
<P>Thanks!</P>
<P>Matt Lafferty</P></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> Matt Lafferty [mailto:<SPAN
class=562125321-15122009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff> <A
title=mailto:youaregonnahavetoguess@gmail.com
href="mailto:youaregonnahavetoguess@gmail.com">youaregonnahavetoguess</FONT></SPAN>@gmail.com</A>]
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December 15, 2009 6:38 AM<BR><B>To:</B> RE Markets
List<BR><B>Subject:</B> Hotel Exclusion?<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT
face=Arial>Marketeers,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT face=Arial>A question was raised
yesterday on the RE-Wrenches list about whether or not hotels are eligible
for the Federal Grant for the installation of solar. As it turns out, my
wife is currently working with a family-owned, non-tribal, motel to
design PV and Solar Thermal systems. Neither she nor I were aware of any
exclusions which would apply to this type of business. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT face=Arial>Can anyone here shed
any light on this? If they are not eligible, a pointer to the applicable
section would be greatly appreciated.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT face=Arial>Thanks in
advance!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT face=Arial>Matt Lafferty<SPAN
class=562125321-15122009><FONT
color=#0000ff> </FONT></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009></SPAN></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=953373214-15122009><FONT face=Arial><SPAN
class=562125321-15122009><FONT face=Tahoma><STRONG>From:</STRONG>
re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <B>On Behalf Of
</B>Michael Gullo<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, December 13, 2009 10:53
PM<BR><B>To:</B> RE-wrenches<BR><B>Subject:</B> [RE-wrenches] Hotel
exclusion<BR><BR></FONT>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Hi All,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>I was bidding a job for a hotel down the shore here in
South Jersey and when the owner called a competitor for a second bid, he was
told that hotels were excluded from the Federal tax grant. Has anyone heard
of this or better yet has anyone completed a hotel this year?
Thanks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Mike</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Michael Gullo</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Solar Solutions LLC</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Marlton, NJ</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>NABCEP Certified PV
Installer</FONT></DIV> </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></DIV><BR><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>List
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