Maximize your Section 45X tax credit ahead of tax season. By: Rob Bellile

The Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit, introduced as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, represents a transformative step in bolstering domestic clean energy manufacturing. With a focus on incentivizing the production of advanced energy components such as solar panels, wind energy components, batteries and critical minerals, the 45X credit aims to strengthen the U.S. supply chain, reduce reliance on imports and support the transition to a clean energy economy.

This article delves into the key aspects and implications of the 45X credit, guiding manufacturers through its complexities. Be sure to watch our in-depth video and download our comprehensive checklist at the end of the article for actionable insights and preparation tips.

What is Section 45X?

The Section 45X tax credit is a federal tax incentive designed to reward domestic manufacturers for producing qualifying advanced energy components. These include solar and wind energy components, battery modules, inverters and the refining or recycling of critical minerals.

In October, the Treasury released Section 45X final regulations, including the new rules for critical minerals, making it even more crucial for manufacturers to understand the additional nuances or opportunities. The addition of mining and extraction costs as eligible activities under the 45X credit opens new opportunities but also adds layers of complexity.

Eligible manufacturers can claim the credit directly on their tax return without needing a formal application process, simplifying access to this powerful incentive. The value of the credit is calculated based on specific metrics – such as production volume, electrical capacity or cost – and is fully transferable, allowing manufacturers to sell unused credits for immediate cash benefits.

The program offers full credit benefits presently through 2029, with a phased reduction beginning in 2030. Notably, critical minerals remain exempt from this phase-out. By ensuring long-term visibility into the credit’s value, the 45X incentive has already fueled a significant increase in clean energy manufacturing investment, reflecting its impact on the sector’s growth trajectory.

What manufacturers need to know before filing

Manufacturers navigating the complexities of federal tax credit programs require thorough due diligence and careful compliance to avoid potential pitfalls. A key requirement for claiming the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit is meeting the IRS’s definition of ‘substantial transformation.’ This means that the raw materials or components used in the manufacturing process must undergo significant processing to become a new and distinct product with a different name, character, or use. This goes beyond simple assembly or minor modifications. The transformation must fundamentally change the raw inputs into a final product that can be independently sold.

For example, turning raw silicon into solar cells or refining lithium into battery-grade material qualifies as substantial transformation. However, merely assembling imported solar panels or basic processing of materials without significant alteration would not meet this criterion.

This requirement underscores the importance of maintaining detailed records of the manufacturing process, ensuring that each step can be documented and verified as meeting the substantial transformation standard. Failure to properly substantiate this transformation could lead to disqualification from the credit, along with potential audits and penalties.

Eligibility and domestic manufacturing requirements

To claim the credit, components or products must be manufactured within the U.S. or its territories, ensuring domestic production and reducing reliance on international supply chains. The value of the 45X credit for a manufactured product can then be calculated using one of three primary methods: a fixed value based on component size or weight, a rate per unit of electrical capacity (e.g., cents per watt), or as a percentage of the cost of production. Eligible components and their credit amounts include:

Solar energy components

Solar-grade polysilicon — $3 per kilogram (kg)

PV wafer — $12 per square meter (m2)

PV cell (crystalline or thin-film) — 4¢ per watt-direct current (Wdc)

Polymeric back sheet — 40¢ per m2

PV module — 7¢ per Wdc

Torque tube — 87¢ per kg

Structural fasteners — $2.28 per kg

Wind energy components

Blade — 2¢ multiplied by the total rated capacity of the completed wind turbine

Nacelle — 5¢ multiplied by the total rated capacity of the completed wind turbine

Tower — 3¢ multiplied by the total rated capacity of the completed wind turbine

Offshore wind foundation (fixed) — Equal to the product of 2¢ multiplied by the total rated capacity of the completed wind turbine

Offshore wind foundation (floating) — Equal to the product of 4¢ multiplied by total rated capacity of the completed wind turbine

Inverters

Central inverter — 0.25¢ per watt-alternating current (Wac)

Utility inverter — 1.5¢ per Wac

Commercial inverter — 2¢ per Wac

Residential inverter — 6.5¢ per Wac

Microinverter — 11¢ per Wac

Distributed wind inverter — 11¢ multiplied by the total rated capacity of the distributed wind inverter

Batteries and critical minerals

Electrode active materials — 10% of the costs incurred by the taxpayer due to production of such materials

Battery cells — $35 per kilowatt-hour (kWh)

Battery module — $10 (or, in the case of a battery module that does not use battery cells, $45) per kWh

Critical minerals — 10% of the costs incurred by the taxpayer due to production of such minerals, from a list of 50 minerals

It’s worth noting that while the finished goods must be manufactured domestically, their subcomponents (such as steel, framing or electrical parts) do not need to originate in the U.S. This flexibility allows manufacturers to leverage global supply chains for constituent materials without jeopardizing eligibility for the credit.

Given the complexities and potential for IRS scrutiny, due diligence is essential. The IRS has emphasized rigorous oversight of tax credits like Section 45X to prevent misuse. Manufacturers should carefully evaluate their processes and maintain meticulous documentation to validate their eligibility. The three key requirements to note however are:

Independent Sale: The manufactured product must be sold to a third party to qualify for the 45X credit. Internal transfers or inventory stockpiling are not eligible

Documentation: Manufacturers must maintain thorough records, including details of the manufacturing process, descriptions of finished goods and proof of sale to third parties

No Prevailing Wage Requirements: Unlike many other clean energy tax credits, 45X does not require compliance with prevailing wage and apprenticeship standards

Sale to independent third party

The independent sale to a third party is a critical step in verifying that a substantial transformation has occurred. This requirement ensures that the product resulting from the transformation is genuinely intended for market use rather than for further internal processing or use within the same supply chain. By mandating the sale to an independent third party, the regulation seeks to establish a clear, market-driven valuation and application of the newly transformed product.

Here’s how this works in practice:

Market validation: The sale demonstrates that the product has a distinct and independent value in the market, separate from the raw materials used to create it

Independence: The third party should have no significant business ties to the producer, ensuring an unbiased transaction that reflects the true value and nature of the transformed product

Documentation: Proper documentation of the sale, including contracts, invoices and shipping records, supports compliance and provides evidence that the transaction is legitimate and meets the regulatory criteria

At Baker Tilly, we specialize in helping manufacturers navigate federal tax credit programs, including the complexities of the IRA Section 45X tax credit. Our team provides independent assessments to determine eligibility, assists in substantiating claims with proper documentation and helps implement future-state strategies to ensure compliance. We support companies in establishing robust production and sale tracking systems, such as ERP and manufacturing floor tracking systems, to substantiate activities at the individual product level, including serial or lot numbers. With Baker Tilly, manufacturers can confidently claim Section 45X credits while minimizing risks.

Watch the video to hear from a Baker Tilly IRA specialist about what manufacturers need to know as we head into tax season regarding Section 45X, and don’t forget to download our comprehensive checklist to ensure your business is fully prepared to claim this valuable credit.

https://www.bakertilly.com/insights/maximize-your-section-45x-tax-credit

Rob Bellile is Senior Manager at Baker Tilly, a leading advisory, tax and assurance firm. It provides clients with a genuine coast-to-coast and global advantage in major regions of the U.S. and in many of the world’s leading financial centers.  

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