October 11, 2018
by Mark Everson, Former IRS Commisioner & alliantgroup Vice Chairman
Published in The Hill

After almost a year without a confirmed IRS commissioner, on October 1 Charles Rettig took office as the nation’s 49th commissioner of Internal Revenue. The post dates to the Civil War and the agency has had its ups and downs over the decades. Recent years have been tough. Mr. Rettig finds himself with both challenges and opportunities; a good start will be critical. Having held the job as the 46th commissioner, here are a few observations.

The sine qua non of the new commissioner’s tenure will be restoration of a constructive relationship with the Congress. Even in the best of times the service is never popular. Nobody heads back home to campaign for reelection with the pitch, “Vote for me. I got more money for the IRS.” Still, the […]

May 11, 2018
By Andy Gerstenhaber, alliantgroup Director of Energy Credits and Incentives
The American Institute of Architects

The 179D tax deduction is helping some architecture firms save hundreds of thousands of dollars a year; AIA partner alliantgroup breaks down the benefits

Earlier this year, architects, engineers, and contractors received some excellent news when the section 179D tax deduction for energy efficient buildings was retroactively extended for the 2017 tax year.

Since its inception in 2005, section 179D has proven to not only be sound energy policy but a vital incentive for our nation’s designers and builders. “Encouraging energy-efficient building significantly supports the policy goals of Congress of energy independence and energy efficiency for our nation, while at the same time reducing costs for both businesses and taxpayers,” said Rick Lazio, alliantgroup’s senior vice […]

5 Points on How to Improve 179D for Designers and Builders

On March 14th, alliantgroup Senior Vice President and former U.S. Congressman Rick Lazio testified before the House Ways and Means’ Tax Policy Subcommittee on an incentive that is near and dear to many of our clients – the Section 179D tax deduction for energy efficient buildings.

To read the testimony click here. To see the testimony in its entirety, view the video below.

During the hearing, Lazio highlighted why the deduction was not only sound energy policy, but a vital incentive to the designers, engineers and contractors that help drive the American economy. In his written and oral testimony, he offered a number of suggestions on ways to improve the program […]