It’s been over a year since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law, but the incentives it created are still going strong! The Inflation Reduction Act created many new ways for homeowners to save on clean energy upgrades like solar panel installation, which you can claim in 2024.
If you’re interested in the Inflation Reduction Act solar tax credit but have some questions about how it works, you’re in the right place! Keep reading for answers to the most common questions we get asked about the Inflation Reduction Act solar panel tax credit and how it applies to Massachusetts homeowners.
A tax credit is an incentive that reduces the amount of money you owe in federal taxes, dollar-for-dollar. So, if you owe $1,000 when you file your taxes, and you have an $800 tax credit, you would only have to pay $200.
There are many different types of tax credits available, including child and dependent care tax credits, tax credits for educational expenses, electric vehicle tax credits, and more. The Inflation Reduction Act offers tax credits to help taxpayers save on energy-efficient home improvements and renewable energy upgrades, including home solar panels.
The solar panel tax credit is a tax credit that goes by many names, including the federal solar tax credit, the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC), and the Inflation Reduction Act solar tax credit. It is a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit that’s worth 30% of your total solar installation costs in 2024.
Almost all expenses associated with a solar installation qualify for the solar tax credit, including:
There are a few requirements you must meet in order to qualify for the solar tax credit:
Install your solar panel system at a residence you own in the United States
The solar tax credit will be available at its 30% rate from 2022 until 2032. To qualify for the solar tax credit in a given year, you must complete your solar installation and turn your system on before the end of that year. So, if you want to claim the ITC on your 2024 tax return, you must complete the installation by December 31, 2024.
Yes—if you receive a tax credit that’s worth more than your annual tax liability, you can roll the remainder over into the next year.
The new Inflation Reduction Act solar tax credit includes energy storage devices that have a capacity rating of 3 kWh or greater. You can claim the tax credit on a solar plus battery storage system, a solar battery retrofit, or a standalone solar battery storage.
You can claim the federal solar tax credit on your primary and secondary residences as long as they are located within the United States. If your secondary residence or vacation home doubles as a rental property, it is not eligible for the residential solar tax credit but may qualify for the commercial solar panel tax credit.
In most cases, claiming the federal solar tax credit will not impact your eligibility for other Massachusetts solar panel incentives. You will still be eligible for net metering and ConnectedSolutions solar battery incentives.
Boston Solar is the leading solar provider near you in Massachusetts, and we can help you save on solar with incentives like the federal solar tax credit. We are a local solar installer that’s been empowering Massachusetts for over a decade and has installed more than 5,000 solar energy systems. If you want a local solar expert to help you get the most out of your investment in solar panels, we are here to help.
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