Redeeming and keeping up with current tax credits can be confusing.
Here's a handy guide to the retroactive reinstatement of the 25C Residential Energy Tax Credit that was part of the fiscal cliff legislation.
The expiration date has now moved to Dec. 31, 2013.
The following are the regulations and requirements necessary to redeem this Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit:
- An eligible taxpayer (homeowner) may claim a tax credit for up to 10% (up to $500)
- A homeowner may qualify for tax credits equal to 10% of the costs (up to a $300 limit) for installing a high efficiency central air conditioner, heat pump, or hot water heater.
- A homeowner may also qualify for tax credit equal to 10% of the costs (up to $150 limit) for installing a qualified furnace or hot water boiler.
- A smaller tax credit of 10% of the installed costs (up to $50 limit) is available for installing a system with an advanced main air circulating fan.
- A split system central air conditioner must meet or exceed 16 SEER and 13 EERA package system central air conditioner must meet or exceed 14 SEER and 12 EER.
- An air source heat pump must meet or exceed 15 SEER and 12.5 EER and 8.5 HSPF, in order to qualify for the tax credit.
- Package heat pump systems must meet or exceed 14 SEET and 12 SEER and 8 HSPF.
- Natural gas furnaces, propane furnaces, natural gas hot water boilers, propane hot water boilers, oil furnaces, and oil hot water boilers all must meet or exceed 95% AFUE.
- There is a lifetime residential energy tax credit limit set at $500, going back to January 1, 2005.
Window films that improve energy efficiency are also eligible for tax credits.
For more information from the U.S. Department of Energy and the 25C Energy Efficiency Tax Credit, please visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.
Also check with DSIRE on state and local rebates and incentives.
Read more about government energy rebates and tax credits.
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