Unlock Tax Savings: Your Guide to the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for 2024

Unlock Tax Savings: Your Guide to the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for 2024

Staying informed about evolving tax credits can significantly impact your annual tax strategy. One of the most valuable opportunities for homeowners is the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (EEHIC), a benefit modernized by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. If you’re looking to enhance your home’s energy efficiency while reducing your tax liability, understanding and leveraging this credit is crucial.

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What Is the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit?

The EEHIC is a non-refundable tax credit designed to encourage homeowners to invest in qualified energy-saving improvements. Updates such as insulation, upgraded doors and windows, efficient HVAC systems, heat pumps, and home energy audits can qualify. Taxpayers may claim up to 30% of the eligible costs, up to annual and lifetime limits, by installing these improvements in a principal residence.

New IRS Guidance: Home Energy Audits

On August 4, 2023, the IRS published Notice 2023-59, setting forth detailed requirements for home energy audits. Under this guidance, the costs incurred for a qualified home energy audit can now be included when calculating your EEHIC, provided the audit is performed by a certified professional and meets the IRS’s strict standards. The audit must specifically identify the most significant and cost-effective energy-saving measures suitable for your property.

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Qualifying for the Credit: What Homeowners Need to Know

To maximize your tax benefits, it's vital to ensure:

  • Your principal residence is located in the United States and used as your main home during the year improvements are made.
  • Qualified energy-efficient equipment and materials meet or exceed the latest ENERGY STAR® or similar government-backed standards.
  • All work, including audits, installation, and purchases, is documented with detailed receipts and product certification statements.
  • Improvement expenses are within annual and lifetime limits set by the IRS (generally $1,200 per year, with special provisions for heat pumps and biomass stoves/boilers – up to $2,000).

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Clean Energy Tax Credits: Integrating With Your Financial Plan

The Inflation Reduction Act introduced not only the EEHIC but also other incentives, such as the Residential Clean Energy Credit for solar, wind, and geothermal systems. Each credit carries separate requirements, so strategic tax planning is essential to fully capitalize on these programs. As an owner and lead tax preparer at Haley Claypool & Associates, I guide Newport Beach homeowners through every detail, ensuring compliance and maximized refunds.

Documentation & Professional Support

Proper tax documentation is non-negotiable. Maintain copies of invoices, certification statements, and your energy audit report. The IRS may request this information to substantiate your claim. For Newport Beach residents and clients statewide, securing a knowledgeable tax professional to navigate these credits is a best practice — especially when dealing with complex clean energy provisions.

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How to Claim the Credit

Reporting the EEHIC is done via IRS Form 5695 on your annual tax return. Carefully detail each improvement and related costs according to IRS instructions. Missing documentation or inaccuracies can lead to credit denials or audits. My professional accounting team stays current on regulatory guidance, ensuring clients’ filings are thorough and compliant.

Your Next Steps

With changing legislation and new IRS notices shaping clean energy tax benefits, it pays to consult an expert. At Haley Claypool & Associates, I offer a personalized approach for every client — identifying all eligible credits, confirming your improvements meet technical requirements, and supporting you with audit-ready documentation.

Ready to maximize your Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit? Contact our Newport Beach office at 818-338-8700 or email wendy.claypool@ipersyst.com to schedule your consultation today.

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Let's talk. We are here to help!
Contact Us
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