If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit. Please note, not all ENERGY STAR qualified products qualify for a tax credit. ENERGY STAR distinguishes energy efficient products which, although they may cost more to purchase than standard models, will pay you back in lower energy bills within a reasonable amount of time, without a tax credit.
Can the tax credit be carried over to future years?
The tax credit for products at 30% up to $1,500 CAN NOT be carried over to future years. You can’t even carry forward tax credit dollars from 2009 to 2010. But you can take part of the $1,500 in 2009, and the rest in 2010 – if they are for separate purchases (ex: you spend $3,000 on windows in 2009 and get a $900 tax credit on your 2009 taxes, then spend $2000 on an air conditioner in 2010 and get a $600 tax credit on your 2010 taxes).
The tax credit for the following products at 30% with no upper limit CAN be carried forward to future years:
· Geothermal Heat Pumps
· Solar Panels
· Solar Water Heater
· Small Wind Energy Systems
· Fuel Cells
You can carry forward the credit as long as the credit is still in effect. In this case, the credit is in effect through 2016. The energy efficiency tax credit is technically “non-refundable” which means at the end of the year, you can’t get back more in credits than you paid to the government in taxes throughout the year. If you are unable to claim the entire 30% of your purchase for the above products, you can carry forward the unclaimed portion to future years through 2016.
The tax credit for insulation, windows, doors, roofs, HVAC, biomass stoves, and non-solar water heaters CAN NOT be carried over. These credits are for 30% of the cost, up to $1,500 in 2009 and 2010.
source: www.energystar.gov
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -