Quick answer: Yes — the main federal home energy tax credits have ended. The Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) and the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) expired on December 31, 2025, and the EV charger credit (30C) expired on June 30, 2026. You can still claim these credits on your tax return for equipment that was installed before those deadlines. State and utility incentives remain available.
Most homeowners are finding outdated advice online. Many guides still walk you through claiming a 30% federal credit that no longer exists. This page gives you the exact termination dates from the IRS and ENERGY STAR, explains who can still claim — and for which tax year — and lists what incentives survive in 2026.
The three credits, and exactly when each one ended
| Credit | Covered | Equipment must be placed in service by | Claim form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25D — Residential Clean Energy Credit (30%) | Solar panels, home battery storage, wind, geothermal, fuel cells | Dec 31, 2025 | Form 5695 |
| 25C — Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit | Heat pumps, insulation, windows, doors, panel upgrades (up to $3,200/yr) | Dec 31, 2025 | Form 5695 |
| 30C — Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit | Home EV charging equipment (30% up to $1,000 per port) | June 30, 2026 | Form 8911 |
Sources: ENERGY STAR federal tax credits page and IRS guidance, both accessed August 24, 2026. Termination dates were set by Public Law 119-21 (the July 4, 2025 budget law), per IRS FAQs.
Can you still claim a credit for work already done?
Yes — the end dates apply to when equipment was placed in service, not when you file. That means:
- A solar or battery system installed any time in 2025 still earns the 25D credit on the 2025 return you file in 2026 (Form 5695).
- An EV charger installed January 1 – June 30, 2026 can still earn 30C on your 2026 return filed in 2027 (Form 8911).
- Equipment installed after those cutoffs does not qualify — no exceptions for signed contracts or paid deposits.
Keep the paperwork that proves the installation date: final invoice with itemized labor and equipment, commissioning or inspection sign-off, and photos. If you installed a charger between January and June 2026, note that 30C also required your home to sit in an eligible census tract (a low-income or non-urban area, using the 2020 census lists for property placed in service after January 1, 2025).
What still exists in 2026
- State programs: California's SGIP battery rebates, Massachusetts' ConnectedSolutions demand-response payments, and similar utility-backed programs continue independently of federal law.
- Utility incentives: many utilities still rebate Level 2 chargers, heat pump water heaters, and panel upgrades — check your provider's efficiency portal.
- Net metering and sell-back: unaffected by these terminations; compensation depends on your state and utility.
- Commercial pathways: businesses installing solar/storage may still use the Section 48E investment credit — different rules, talk to a tax professional.
The most reliable way to find current local programs is the DSIRE database (dsireusa.org), which tracks every state and utility incentive with effective dates.
If you're deciding what to do next
Losing 25D changes the payback math for solar and batteries, but equipment prices have also fallen since the credit was designed. Before committing:
- Re-run your payback without assuming any federal credit.
- Prioritize the cheapest storage capacity you actually need — see our guide to choosing a home battery system.
- If your panel or wiring needs upgrading for an EV charger, get quotes line-itemized — our breakdown of 240V outlet installation costs shows where the money goes.
- Never run a charger through a household extension cord — read why in our extension cord safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 30% solar tax credit still available in 2026?
No. The 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2025. Systems installed during 2025 can still be claimed on the 2025 return filed in 2026.
Can I still get the EV charger tax credit?
Only for chargers placed in service by June 30, 2026, installed at a home in an eligible census tract, claimed via Form 8911. Chargers installed after June 30, 2026 do not qualify.
What federal incentives remain for home energy in 2026?
No remaining federal residential purchase credits. What survives: state rebates (e.g., SGIP), utility programs, net metering policies, and commercial credits such as 48E for business-owned systems.
Which form do I use to claim a past-year credit?
Form 5695 for 25C/25D property, Form 8911 for 30C chargers — attached to the return covering the year the equipment was placed in service.
Freshness note: reviewed August 24, 2026 against ENERGY STAR and IRS pages. State and utility programs change frequently — confirm terms before purchase. This page is general information, not tax advice.