home energy tax credit

roxybecker125 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 19:52:37 GMT

I installed new windows on my home in December 2025. Am I eligible for the home energy tax credit? What information do I need in order to qualify?

Re: home energy tax credit

CatinaT1 — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:07:44 GMT

Yes, you may be eligible for the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for windows installed in December 2025.

For 2025, windows must meet the ENERGY STAR "Most Efficient" certification requirements.

Here is some other important information on the credit:

Standard ENERGY STAR certification is no longer sufficient to claim the credit. The windows must be expected to last for at least five years.
You can claim 30% of the product cost.
The maximum credit for exterior windows and skylights is limited to $600 per year.
Unlike some other energy credits, you cannot include installation or labor costs in your calculation for windows; only the cost of the windows themselves qualifies.
The windows must be installed in an existing home in the United States that you own and use as your principal residence. New construction and rental properties do not qualify.

To claim the credit on your 2025 return, you must have the following:

Qualified Manufacturer Identification Number (QMID): This is a new, mandatory requirement for 2025. You must report the manufacturer's 4-digit QM code or the product's unique PIN on your tax return. This code is typically found on the product packaging, a label on the window, or the manufacturer's website.
A signed document from the manufacturer certifying that the product meets the necessary energy efficiency criteria. (Not required to be sent with your return, but kept for your records.)
You must retain itemized receipts that clearly show the cost of the windows separate from any labor or delivery fees.
Form 5695, Part II will be used to calculate and report your credit when you file your return.