Construction companies operate in a capital-intensive, labor-driven industry where margins are often tight, and tax credits can be complex to navigate. In practice, these challenges show up on real jobsites—whether it’s managing rising labor costs, investing in energy-efficient building systems, or testing new construction methods to meet client demands. Porte Brown’s CPA experts and Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (CCIFPs) work closely with contractors and developers to turn these everyday realities into strategic tax opportunities.
Rather than treating tax planning as a once-a-year exercise, Porte Brown’s construction accountants provide ongoing guidance throughout the project lifecycle, helping clients identify, document, and maximize federal tax credits tied to energy efficiency, innovation, workforce incentives, and equipment investment. This integrated planning approach helps improve cash flow, reduce tax liability, and strengthen long-term financial stability.
For many contractors, tax credits begin on the jobsite. Residential builders constructing energy-efficient homes may qualify for the Energy Efficient Home Credit (IRC §45L), which can generate $500 to $5,000 per dwelling unit. Commercial contractors and design-build firms working on lighting, HVAC, or building envelope improvements may benefit from the Energy-Efficient Commercial Building Deduction (IRC §179D), with deductions of up to $5.00 per square foot.
Innovation is another common but often overlooked area. Contractors testing new materials, improving construction processes, or refining designs frequently qualify for the Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credit. By working directly with project managers and operations teams, Porte Brown’s construction-focused CPAs help connect these real-world activities to qualifying tax benefits, ensuring credits are properly documented and aligned with the company’s broader tax and financial strategy.
Workforce and fuel-related credits can help construction companies reduce tax liability while offsetting labor and equipment costs.
Labor shortages remain a pressing challenge across the industry. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) allows construction companies to claim credits of $2,400 to $9,600 per eligible employee when hiring from targeted groups, such as veterans or long-term unemployed workers. Porte Brown helps contractors identify eligible hires early and integrate WOTC planning into workforce strategies.
On the equipment side, fuel tax credits for off-highway use can provide meaningful savings for contractors operating heavy machinery. Porte Brown’s team helps clients document fuel usage by jobsite, while also coordinating bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing to maximize immediate write-offs for equipment, vehicles, and tools—creating measurable cash-flow benefits.
Many of the most valuable credits are timing-sensitive and require early documentation.
Credits like §45L, §179D, and the R&D tax credit require detailed documentation and, in some cases, third-party certification. Porte Brown’s construction accountants provide ongoing guidance throughout the year, coordinating documentation and aligning credits with job costing and financial reporting. By addressing compliance requirements early, contractors can reduce risk and avoid missed opportunities.
Construction companies that integrate tax credit planning into their ongoing financial strategy—rather than treating it as a year-end compliance task—are better positioned to manage tax liability, improve cash flow, and plan for long-term success. Porte Brown’s CPAs and CCIFPs bring a strategic, hands-on approach, helping contractors identify opportunities early, streamline complexity, and invest confidently in what’s next. Contact Porte Brown to see how proactive, job-by-job tax planning can reduce risk and support smarter financial decisions across your business.
| Tax Credit / Incentive | Primary Benefit | Typical Use Case |
| §45L Energy Efficient Home Credit | $500–$5,000/qualifying dwelling | Energy‑efficient residential projects |
| §179D Energy Efficient Building Deduction | Up to ~$5/sq ft deduction | Energy‑efficient commercial/multifamily buildings |
| R&D Tax Credit | Dollar‑for‑dollar credit | Innovation in construction methods/design |
| Work Opportunity Tax Credit | $2,400–$9,600/hire | Hiring targeted workforce groups |
| Fuel Tax Credit | Fuel cost recovery | Heavy equipment operations |
| Historic Rehabilitation Credit (IRC §47) | 20% credit | Adaptive reuse of historic buildings |
| Bonus Depreciation / Section 179 Expensing | Immediate tax relief | Equipment/asset investment accelerated expensing |