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PAGE 6A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. OCTOBER 19. 2023
Georgians may capitalize on a new IRA saving money,
energy and making homes more comfortable
By Ellen Harrison
By October, 2024, low in
come Georgians may be able
to replace aging, inefficient
and failing heating and cool
ing systems, and appliances
using an earmarked, $219
million bucket of money, re
ducing utility costs over the
long run. Depending on in
come, the entire cost of buy
ing and installation will be
covered through the 2022 In
flation Reduction Act (IRA).
“The more people who
know about this, the faster
we can share this news, to
help not just our neighbors,
but the environment,” said
Dr. Bette Holland, director of
the North Georgia Conserva
tion Coalition (NGCC). Hol
land presented information to
a small group of engaged and
curious people at the Pickens
Library, last Tuesday, Octo
ber 10.
Holland discussed the dif
ference between rebates and
tax credits, and how Georgia
has set up an authority to
guide the rebate program.
The Georgia Environmental
Finance Authority (GEFA)
will help locate reputable
contractors and administer
the federal rebate money.
The rebate program is just
one part of on-going efforts
to cut utility costs and de
crease carbon in Earth’s at
mosphere released by
generating electricity using
fossil-fuels.
After learning that GEFA
is still in the process of gear
ing up to administer the re
bate money, some left feeling
discouraged about how they
can afford to get a new
HVAC up and running in
time for this winter.
“I’m glad to have learned
more about this, the differ
ence between rebates and tax
credits, but it isn’t good
news,” said one attendee,
Kelly, who needs help now.
“Looks like it’s going to be a
cold winter.”
Middle to upper level in
come people doing the same
type work will be eligible for
tax credits equaling up to
30% of the price to buy and
install. A specific dollar cap
is in place, but tax credits
may be used for several
years, for appliance improve
ments, and in home improve
ment projects that meet the
qualifications.
For some of the people at
tending the gathering, tax
credits are immediate good
news. People filing their
2023 returns just need one
additional form, IRS-5695,
and the receipts for purchase
and installation. The tax
credit will shave dollars off
total federal taxes due at the
time of filing returns.
Additional programs help
with the cost of electric vehi
cles and moving to LED
light bulbs, which run cooler,
brighter, and save money
over a much longer life-span
than other light bulbs.
For more details, check the
chart for tax credits attached.
https://gefa.georgia.gov/en-
ergy-resources/home-energy-
rebate-programs
https://www.energy.gov/save
Tax credits: https://www.en-
ergy.gov/sites/default/files/202
3
02/Tax%20Credit%20Table.p
df
ENERGY
Making Our Homes More Efficient:
Clean Energy Tax Credits for Consumers
Equipment type
Tax Credit Available for
2022 Tax Year
Updated Tax Credit
Available for 2023-2032
Tax Years
Home Clean Electricity Products
Solar (electricity)
30% of cost
Fuel Cells
Wind Turbine
Battery Storage
N/A
30% of cost
Heating, Cooling, and Water Heating
Heat pumps
$300
30% of cost, up to $2,000
per year
Heat pump water heaters
Biomass Stoves
Geothermal heat pumps
30% of cost
Solar (water heating)
Efficient air conditioners*
$300
30% of cost, up to $600
Efficient heating equipment*
Efficient water heating equipment*
$150
30% of cost, up to $600
Other Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Electric panel or circuit upgrades for new
electric equipment*
N/A
30% of cost, up to $600
Insulation materials*
10% of cost
30% of cost
Windows, including skylights’
10% of cost
30% of cost, up to $600
Exterior doors*
10% of cost
30% of cost, up to $500 for
doors (up to $250 each)
Home Energy Audits*
N/A
30% of cost, up to $150
Home Electric Vehicle Charger
30% of cost, up to $1.000
30% of cost, up to $1.000"
*Subject to cap of $1.200/year
** The IRS will soon publish further information on eligibility requirements related to home electric vehicle chargers,
but we know that credits are intended for residents in non-urban or low-income communities.
Imposter scams hitting Georgia faithful
By Dave Williams
Bureau Chief
Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA - Attorney
emergency donations to help
someone in need.
In another version, scam
mers pose as real religious
leaders and send texts or
While it may be difficult
to get money back once it’s
in the hands of a scammer,
victims can take steps to
boost their chances of recov-
or consumer.ga.gov, and the
Federal Trade Commission
at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Those who find scam
transactions are hurting their
Bryan Lawrence
Email: Bryan@Iaithturf.com
General Chris Carr is warn
ing Georgians of an imposter
scam targeting faith-based
communities in which fraud
sters pose as religious leaders
to try to trick congregants
into sending them money.
There are different varia
tions to these imposter
scams. In one version, scam
mers set up Gmail accounts
that display the actual name
of a rabbi, priest, pastor, or
imam. The fraudster then
emails the members of the
congregation asking for
emails to congregants re
questing they send money
via gift cards.
“With advancements in
technology, it’s easier than
ever for criminals to hide
their true identity, which is
why we continue to hear
about imposter scams,” Carr
said Monday. “Consumers
should be very suspicious of
any emails or texts asking
them to send money even if
they appear to come from a
trusted source.”
ering lost hinds. Carr’s office
urges victims to report the
fraud as soon as they become
aware of a scam. Immedi
ately contact the appropriate
financial provider, money
transfer company, or gift card
provider.
Also, hie a report with the
appropriate law enforcement
agency, the attorney gen
eral’s Consumer Protection
Division at (404) 651-8600
Most people pay
more in local taxes
than either state or
federal.
Local
Matters
Subscribe to your
community
newspaper
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TATE DAY
November 4, 2023
CAKE BAKE-OFF
ENTRY FORM
1. NAME
2. ADDRESS
CITY STATE ZIP
3. TELEPHONE NUMBER
4. EMAIL
5. TYPE OF CAKE
6. NAME OF CAKE
Come join the TateDay Festival ac
tivities and taste the delicious home
made cakes and even purchase a
portion of one.
The rules for the Bake-off are:
1. It has to be a cake - no cookies,
desserts or pies.
2. It has to be baked - no refrigerator
concoctions.
3. It has to be home-made, made
from scratch - no box mixes or repack
aged goods.
4. Entries judged on following
points:
a. Taste - 35
b. Texture - 35
c. Neatness of cake coverings and
decorations -10
d. Presentation -10
e. Overall appearance -10
For a total of 100.
5. Cake must be labeled with name
of cake and delivered to the Historic
Tate Gym no later than 9:00 a.m. on
November 4.
6. Tasting will be between 11:00 a.m.
and 1:00 p.m.
7. To taste and vote on these delec
table cakes, a fee of $3 will be charged.
8. Cake categories are: pound or any
type cake cooked in a bundt or tube
pan, iced layer cake or fruit cakes.
All entry forms must be postmarked
by Oct. 28 to:
Anita Poole
197 Riverstone Drive
Jasper, GA 30143
Participants can call 770-737-3019 or
send notification by email to
anitapoole678@gmail.com.
credit should visit Annual-
CreditReport.com to request
free credit reports from the
three major credit reporting
agencies - Experian,
Equifax, and TransUnion.
Freezing credit is also a
good way to stop unautho
rized accounts from being
opened.
Elect a new mayor and city council that will spend
our tax dollars on the basics before all the fluff our
present city council is so concerned with. I believe
before you spend millions of dollars on a downtown
amphitheatre this city council should prove they
could at least maintain it. For one example, the
Jasper City Park water fall has not functioned in four
years. Our once beautiful city park is in a state of
disrepair. The Jasper City Park in just a little less than
four years has become a total disaster since this
council has been in power.
There are several more examples such as the once
active ball fields not being mowed and maintained
to kudzu covering street signs and city streets. We
no longer have the annual sportsman fishing rodeo
because the city does not have enough
maintenance workers to mow and maintain the
Cove creek. I could go on and on but I will stop and
let you the tax paying citizen, the City of Jasper
voter see for yourself.
It appears the present Jasper City council could
care less. They just want to waste our tax dollars on
high price Lawyers, Engineers, Architects and City
Managers. I believe the city would be better served
if this money was spent on more maintenence
employees, a work force that could get such work
done as I mentioned earlier.
REMEMBER VOTE EARLY AND IT IS
SIMPLE VOTE AGAINST
ALL THE INCUMBENT,
THEY GOT TO GO!
THANK YOU
★ VOTE ^
SHIRLEY ^
MITCHELL
JASPER CITY COUNCIL
PAID FOR BY CANDIDATE
LANDSCAPING DESIGN & INSTALLATION
FERTILIZATION • WEED CONTROL
LAWN MAINTENANCE • DEBRIS CLEANUPS & MORE!
770-490-2795