EnergyStar® Shingles
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed by Congress in 2009 entitles you to receive up to a $1500 tax credit if you install specific energy-efficient products which carry an EnergyStar® rating. The guidelines for residential roofing products require that products have a minimum solar reflectivity (SR value) of .25.
EnergyStar® products can save money near-term and long-term by reducing your utility bills, reducing your tax liability, and increasing your home's energy efficiency.
What is included in the Tax Credit?
Tax Credit: 30% of materials cost up to $1500. Installation/labor costs do not qualify.
Expires: At the present time, the tax credit is available through December 31, 2010.
Details: For roofing & insulation, the residence must be an existing home and a primary residence. For windows and doors, the tax credit is available for both existing homes and new construction, and both pricipal residences and second homes qualify. Visit the EnergyStar® website for complete details.
What's the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction?
A tax deduction reduces your taxable income. For example, if your taxable income is $50,000 and you have a $1,500 tax deduction, your taxable income would be reduced to $48,500.
A tax credit reduces your tax liability. For example, if you owe $3,000 in taxes at the end of the year, and you have a $1,500 tax credit, then you only owe $1,500 in taxes instead of the original $3,000. If you are getting a refund at the end of the year, you can still most likely collect the entire tax credit, as long as the amount of income taxes that you paid throughout the year is more than the total amount of tax credit that you are claiming.
If you haven't paid any taxes during the year, you can't claim the tax credit for energy efficiency.
What types of products quality?
Roofing (asphalt and metal)
Insulation
Windows and Doors
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Biomass Stoves
Water Heaters (non-solar)
With an immediate tax credit in the year of installation and lower utility bills every month, you can get a better roof for about the same total cost as a less-expensive product.
What documentation do I need?
- Itemized receipts showing cost of materials
- Manufacturers Certification Statement
- IRS Form 5695
CertainTeed EnergyStar® Shingles
- Landmark Solaris (all colors)
- Landmark (Silver Birch, Mist White and Star White)
- XT-25, and XT-30 (Star White only)
GAF-ELK EnergyStar® Shingles
- Timberline Cool (all colors)
Owens Corning EnergyStar® Shingles
- Supreme & Supreme AR (Shasta White only)
- Duration Premium Cool (all colors)
TAMKO EnergyStar® Shingles
- AstonWood Steel Shingles (Vermont Blue, Sierra Slate Grey, Forest Green, Timber Brown, River Rock Brown, Canyon Copper Bronze, Sequoia Red)
- StoneCrest Slate Steel Shingles (Sequoia Red, Quaker Green, Sierra Slate Grey, Vermont Blue)
- StoneCrest Tile Steel Shingles (Quaker Green, Sierra Slate Grey, Vermont Blue)
