I rent out a home and added solar panels.. Since I don't occupy the house, not eligible for the 30% solar tax credit. Can I reduce my expenses as a property improvement?

[johnsinibaldi]

The panels were added in 2016.  As a Landlord,is there another way to take this as an improvement or something?

[Lilly Peck]

Yes, according to IRS Pub. 946, you can depreciate "certain geothermal, solar, and wind energy property" over 5 years. While you don't qualify for the energy credit for residential property, you may qualify for the Investment Credit for improvements to your rental property.

[johnsinibaldi]

So with Turbo Tax Deluxe, how would I do that and where?

[Lilly Peck]

I am not a TT employee but a tax accountant who pops in every once in a while to see if I can be helpful. I myself use the Desktop Deluxe version and the instructions that I found are for the TTHome & Business (below) but should serve the purpose for where you need to go. The only difference I found between the two is the initial step. Hopefully you have a "Show Topic List" icon near the top of your screen. That listing will include the "Less Common Business Situations" as referenced below. Once you get there you should be good to go.

To enter the information in TTHome & Biz, please follow these steps:
1. Click on Business > Continue > I'll choose what I work on
2. Scroll down to the Less Common Business Situations section and click on the Start/Update box next to Business Credits.  (See Screenshot #1, below.)
3. On the Other Business Credits screen, click on the Start/Update box next to Investment Credit.
(Screenshot #2)
4. On the Investment Credits screen click on the Yes box.  (Screenshot #3)