Homeowners who install ENERGY STAR certified windows, doors, or skylights in their primary U.S. residence can claim a federal tax credit of 30% of the cost, up to $600 annually for windows/skylights. The home must be an existing home being improved, not a new build, and the credit is valid through Dec. 31, 2025.
Not all windows qualify for tax credits. To be eligible, exterior windows and skylights must meet Energy Star criteria or similar energy efficiency standards. Energy Star certified products are tested and verified by the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure they meet or exceed energy efficiency requirements.
Exterior doors that meet applicable Energy Star requirements. Credit is limited to $250 per door and $500 total. Exterior windows and skylights that meet Energy Star Most Efficient certification requirements. Credit is limited to $600 total.
In 2025, homeowners can claim 30% of the cost of their qualifying windows, up to a maximum of $600 per year. This applies to windows that meet ENERGY STAR qualifications for energy efficiency. So, if you spend $2,000 on new windows, you can claim $600 back as a credit on your federal taxes.
To qualify for the federal energy tax credit (25C), exterior windows and skylights must be ENERGY STAR Most Efficient certified products, featuring low-E coatings, insulated glass (double/triple-pane), and specific low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor ratings, not just any window type (like double-hung or casement), and you need the manufacturer's certification statement and QMID. You claim 30% of costs up to $600 annually for these products, installed in your primary residence between 2023-2032, by filing IRS Form 5695.
If purchasing a window, door, or skylight off the shelf, look for the ENERGY STAR label for your climate zone next to the NFRC label on the glass.
A recent tax law ("One Big Beautiful Bill") introduced a new $6,000 bonus deduction for Americans aged 65 and older, available for tax years 2025-2028, reducing taxable income, not the tax itself, with income phase-outs starting at $75,000 MAGI for singles and $150,000 for joint filers. This deduction adds to existing standard deductions, provides up to $12,000 for couples, and requires a Social Security number and filing status other than Married Filing Separately.
The credit is 30% of the cost of qualifying windows and skylights, capped at $600 per year, within a broader $1,200 annual limit for most building-envelope improvements. Below we explain what qualifies, how much you can save, the documentation you need, and how to claim it.
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Energy-efficient doors, windows and insulation
Exterior doors have a limit of $250 per door and a total limit of $500. Exterior windows and skylights have a $600 total limit. Insulation and air sealing materials or systems have no additional limit outside of the general $1,200 maximum.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save between $126 and $465 per year by replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR-certified models. Even upgrading from older double-pane windows can save around $27 to $111 per year or more.
The replacement windows, doors or skylights must be ENERGY STAR-certified products. You must have a copy of the Manufacturer's Certification Statement to qualify.
The new senior tax deduction of up to $6,000 for single filers and $12,000 for joint filers, was created to help cover taxes on Social Security benefits. Taking the new senior deduction helps to reduce your taxable income, which can mean less tax or potentially an even bigger tax refund when you file your return.
Taxpayers who are paying someone to take care of their children or another member of household while they work, may qualify for child and dependent care credit regardless of their income. For tax year 2021, the maximum eligible expense for this credit is $8,000 for one child and $16,000 for two or more.
This tax credit is effective for products purchased and installed between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2025.
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If a window has the ENERGY STAR designation, it will be labeled to show the zones in which it is qualified. Climate zones have different recommended energy-efficient performance levels for windows, doors, and skylights. You can use the NFRC label or the NFRC Certified Products Directory to compare ENERGY STAR products.
There is an annual limit of $600 for new windows, but no lifetime limit. If you install some of your windows in 2024 and some in 2025, you can take the credit for both tax years. Learn about whole-house vs. phased window replacement.