Residential Energy credit

[RLFtubo50]

Our house had a section that the flat roof was covered with asphalt roofing sheets. We covered the asphalt sheets with a Gacoflex silicone coating in 2020. We though the coating would reduce the heat generated from the asphalt sheet floor. Can we take a residential energy credit for the silicone coating?

[Cynthiad66]

Yes;  But, in order to qualify, your new roof must include certified metal or asphalt with pigmented coatings or cooling granules that are specifically designed to reduce heat gain within the home.

Furthermore, the tax credit does not cover labor costs. You’re completely on the hook for those costs, which is normal.

A. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, an individual may claim a credit for (1) 10 percent of the cost of qualified energy efficiency improvements and (2) the amount of the residential energy property expenditures paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year (subject to the overall credit limit of $500).

Qualified energy efficiency improvements include the following qualifying products:

• Energy-efficient exterior windows, doors and skylights
• Roofs (metal and asphalt) and roof products
• Insulation

[K-T]

We had a brand-new asphalt roof installed in July 2020 (ceramic asphalt which reflects the sun in our Phoenix, AZ area)  -with insurance paying half.  I put our cost ONLY for the parts, not labor, on TTax.  At the end of the Residential Energy credit section..... TTax informed me that "we can't get the home energy credit for 2020."  Why NOT....??   They said there is a $500 limit..... and ours cost much more.  Should I just put in $499 or such? 

[DawnC]

No, you can enter the full-amount and the unused portion should carry over to future years.   If you made energy efficient improvements to your home like energy-saving roofs, windows, skylights, and doors, you'll be able to claim the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit for 10% of amounts paid for qualified energy efficiency improvements, up to a lifetime cap of $500 or fixed dollar amounts ranging from $50 to $300 for energy efficient property, including furnaces, boilers, biomass stoves, heat pumps, water heaters, central air conditioners, and circulating fans.   @K-T

**There are times when you can't take the credit in the current year:

• Your income is at a level that's not taxed at all.
• You're getting other tax credits that have reduced your tax owed to zero.

If your credit can be carried forward to next year, we'll do that for you.

[gubenuj]

I put a new roof on my house in 2021.  The asphalt shingles are Corning 50year warranty.  Can I claim energy credit?

[JillS56]

No, in general, traditional roofing materials and structural components do not qualify for the credit. However, some solar roofing tiles and solar roofing shingles serve as solar electric collectors while also performing the function of traditional roofing, serving both the functions of solar electric generation and structural support and such items may qualify for the credit. Components such as a roof's decking or rafters that serve only a roofing or structural function do not qualify for the credit.

[lkgranillo]

When I replaced my roof the under paper was to reduce energy costs

[DaveF1006]

In general, two types of roofs can qualify for a tax credit.

• Metal roofs with a coating of with Energy Star certified pigment or paint. The coating is a requirement to qualify for the tax credit. ...
• Asphalt roofing material that consists of cooling granules.

The roofing paper does not qualify for an energy credit.

@Ikgranillo