Tax break for greenies

Tax Alert
22 November 2013
Energy Efficiency Savings Incentive comes into operation
Section 12L of the Income Tax Act (ITA) provides for a tax allowance for energy efficiency savings. It was originally inserted in 2009 and substituted in 2012, but remained ineffective until a notice bringing it into effect was published and the accompanying regulations issued, both which have now been done.
As part of Government’s efforts to promote energy efficiency savings, section 12L of the ITA was inserted to provide an income tax deduction to qualifying taxpayers. This tax incentive provides for an income tax deduction equal to 45c for each kilowatt hour (or equivalent) saved by the taxpayer during the relevant year of assessment against a baseline from the beginning of the year. In order to obtain the deduction, a taxpayer must register with the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI), appoint a measurement and verification professional to report the energy efficiency savings, submit the report to SANEDI and submit the certificate issued by SANEDI to SARS with the claim of the deduction.
On 8 November 2013 the Minister of Finance issued a notice that section 12L came into operation on 1 November 2013. It is not entirely clear, but presumably the deduction will be available for years of assessment ending on or after that date.   ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………