grat/taxes/ green

1. God and all who help me get through a day
2. Tax credit for cars, insulation, etc.

http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/103/getting-credit-for-going-green.html

Cars

I just read that when you buy a fuel-efficient hybrid, the federal government gives you a credit off your income tax. But, the Prius will not count!

The specific amount depends on the hybrid. The article says that if you got a Ford Escape SUV, you could get up to $3,000. A Honda Civic garners $2,100. And a Mercury Mariner SUV earns you up to $3,000.

Toyota and Lexus have sold so many hybrids that their cars are no longer eligible for tax breaks. If you bought a Toyota or Lexus hybrid after October 1, 2007, you won't get a credit. Wait a minute. We bought ours in September.

Some states also give you a tax break for buying a hybrid car. The Department of Energy has a database of state incentives and laws related to alternative-fuel vehicles. Will be interesting to see if Ohio does anything for us here.

For example, Oregon gives a tax credit of up to $1,500 when a resident buys a hybrid car such as a Prius or Ford Escape. Colorado offers a credit of up to $3,013 for buying a hybrid, depending on the model. In Illinois, hybrid vehicle buyers can get a $1,000 rebate from the state.

One to plan ahead for -- starting January 1, 2009, in Washington, you can buy a hybrid car with no state sales and use tax.