Late last night, Congress finalized and passed a bill to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for two years, jobless benefits for 13 months, and extend other tax incentives to support business expansion. This bill has been sent to President Obama for his signature.

Contained within the package is a two-year extension of Energy Star tax credit (Section 45L) for manufactured homes which expired in December of 2009. The extension allows manufacturers to claim a $1,000 federal tax credit for each Energy Star qualifying manufactured home built in 2010 and 2011. A $2,000 credit is available to all homes (site built, modular and manufactured) that exceed by 50% the requirements of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

In 2010, MHI estimates this tax credit is worth $3.5 million to manufacturers and our customers. In 2011, MHI conservatively estimates this credit will be worth between $5.0 – $7.0 million.

Passage of this extension for the industry took relentless determination by MHI staff and industry members. MHI is already working towards improving the credit amount and securing the extension for 2012 and beyond.

Special thanks go to Stuart Doggett, Executive Director of the Montana MH & RV Association, Karen Brown-Mohr, Executive Director of the MHA of Maine, and MHI members who contacted their Members of Congress over the past several months and urged them to extend the tax credit for manufactured and modular homes.

In addition, the Systems Building Research Alliance (SBRA) played a critical role in providing technical assistance and education to MHI and Congress regarding this important matter of business.

For more information, MHI members can contact Jason Boehlert at (703) 558-0660 or jboehlert@mfghome.org or Rae Ann Bevington at (703) 558-0675 or rbevington@mfghome.org.