Am I required to pay a tax on my rebate?

The state of California has made it clear that water conservation rebates are not taxable. However, current federal IRS tax rules are not clear. The IRS has made it clear that CCWD is required to issue 1099 forms to individuals and companies that receive $600 or more in rebates in a calendar year. Therefore, CCWD now requires program participants that are approved to receive $600 or more in rebates in a calendar year to complete an IRS W-9 form and submit it to CCWD before receiving their rebate. Then in January of each year CCWD will issue 1099 forms to those customers that received $600 or more in rebates. Note, water agencies, state officials and members of Congress continue to work with federal tax officials to request that they treat water conservation rebates the same as they do the tax-free energy efficiency rebates. For more information, see Potential Federal Tax on Water Conservation Rebates.

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1. How much is the rebate?
2. Am I required to pay a tax on my rebate?
3. Who is eligible to participate?
4. What lawn areas are eligible for the program?
5. What plants can I use in my water-efficient landscape?
6. I already replaced my lawn with water-efficient plants. Can I get a rebate?
7. I have already started my project. Can I get a rebate?
8. Can I receive a rebate for replacing my lawn completely with artificial turf?
9. Can I receive a rebate for installing a concrete patio, a walkway or an extension to my driveway?
10. Can I have a flagstone pathway as part of my project?
11. Can I receive a rebate if I already let my lawn die due to drought?
12. Can I receive a rebate for replacing my high water use lawn with low water use lawn?
13. Can I receive a rebate for replacing high water use plants other than lawn?
14. What is mulch and why is it required?
15. What is the 50% plant cover requirement?
16. Why is there a 50% plant cover requirement?
17. Can I keep my existing lawn sprinklers to water my new garden?
18. What type of irrigation system do I need to use?
19. What if I only convert part of my lawn?
20. Can I apply for the rebate more than once?
21. Do I need to change my irrigation controller to be eligible?