Form 5695 residential energy credit. Do I fill it out again?

[Sandyjb555]

Form 5695 residential energy credit.  I know this form was filled out last year because we had new energy efficient windows and doors installed in 2016. But here are my questions.   1. Do you only fill out a form 5695, if during that tax year you made a home improvement that qualifies?  2. Or Once you have filled it out the previous tax year, do you continue to refill it out every year, for so many years, and get some sort of revolving credit every year for having these new energy efficient windows? I know that sounds stupid, but I really don't understand how this form works, other than last year my mother in law filled it out because of the new windows and doors. So please be very clear in your answer, because I am quite confused! I assume you never fill out this form unless new upgrades that qualify were just done that year, but I need to be sure. Thank you

[DoninGA · Accepted solution]

The Form 5695 is only used when you have purchased and installed some type of eligible home energy efficient improvement during the tax year.  If nothing was purchased and installed in 2017 then there is no Form 5695 required.  Also, the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit (insulation, doors, windows, skylights, etc.) expired at the end of 2016 and was not renewed.

[kenlpeters]

As of 2/22/18 this has been reinstated and retroactively applied to 2017.  Now we have to wait for the Tax Software to catch up 🙂

[kimshellyn]

how long is it going to take turbo tax  to catch up on this form 5695 ?

[djcelf]

I had an energy credit in 2017. On 2018 taxes, it asked if I had a credit. I clicked "No" and it asked me if it should delete form 5695.  Why does it care, if I didn't have a credit for 2018? Is it going to affect my answer for 2017?

[donna-bradley]

construction of main home

[hungdo55]

I filled form 5695 Residen Energy credit for my solar power in 02/2019. When I will receive the credit in my tax refund?

[JotikaT2]

It depends.

If you have a tax liability on your 2019 tax return, the Residential Energy Credit will be used to offset the taxes due.

You can check the amount being used by doing the following:

1. In the black panel on the left, select Tax Tools 
2. Then select Tools below Tax Tools 
3. Under the Other helpful links section, select View Tax Summary
4. Review the line which says Total Tax.  If this amount is $0, then you have no tax to offset the credit with. 
5. Once you are done reviewing this information, click Back on the black panel on the left to get back to the interview screens

If you have any unused credit, you do not lose the remainder of your credit carryforward.  It can be carried forward to 2020.