N
The Global Insight

How much is the federal solar tax credit for 2021?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on March 10, 2026

In 2021, the ITC will provide a 26% tax credit on your installation costs, provided that your taxable income is greater than the credit itself. For most homeowners, this effectively translates to a 26% discount on your home solar system.

How much will my solar tax credit be?

2016 – 2019: The tax credit remains at 30 percent of the cost of the system. 2020-2022: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 26 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes. 2023: Owners of new residential and commercial solar can deduct 22 percent of the cost of the system from their taxes.

How does the solar tax credit Work 2021?

When you install a solar system in 2021 or 2022, 26% of your total project costs (including equipment, permitting and installation) can be claimed as a credit on your federal tax return. If you spend $10,000 on your system, you owe $2,600 less in taxes the following year.

How many years can you carry over the solar tax credit?

five years
Yes, as long as you purchase, instead of lease your solar panel system. The tax credit applies to the cost of equipment plus installation. The tax credit can be applied to your federal income tax liability and can be rolled over for up to five years.

What is the federal tax credit for solar in 2020?

In December 2020, Congress passed an extension of the ITC, which provides a 26% tax credit for systems installed in 2020-2022, and 22% for systems installed in 2023. (Systems installed before December 31, 2019 were eligible for a 30% tax credit.) The tax credit expires starting in 2024 unless Congress renews it.

Is the federal solar tax credit refundable?

Unfortunately, the 26% ITC is not a refundable credit. However, per Section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code, the ITC can be carried back 1 year and forward 20 years. This means that if you had a tax liability last year but don’t have one this year, you can still claim the credit.

Is the solar tax credit a refund?

WILL I GET A REFUND? This is a nonrefundable tax credit, meaning you will not get a tax refund for the amount of the solar tax credit that exceeds your tax liability. However, you can carryover any unused amount of the solar tax credit to the next tax year.

How do I claim federal solar tax credit?

Filing requirements for the solar tax credit To claim the credit, you must file IRS Form 5695 as part of your tax return. You’ll calculate the credit on Part I of the form, and then enter the result on your 1040.

Can I claim the solar tax credit more than once?

Can You Claim the Solar Tax Credit Twice? Owners can only claim the solar tax credit once on the same solar array. However, additions or new systems by the same owner can qualify for separate solar tax credits.

How do I claim federal tax credit for solar?

What kind of tax credit do I get for solar?

The federal residential solar energy credit is a tax credit that can be claimed on federal income taxes for a percentage of the cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. (Other types of renewable energy are also eligible for similar credits but are beyond the scope of this guidance.)

How are solar rebates excluded from federal taxes?

Under most circumstances, subsidies provided by your utility to you to install a solar PV system are excluded from income taxes through an exemption in federal law . When this is the case, the utility rebate for installing solar is subtracted from your system costs before you calculate your tax credit.

When does the 10% solar credit expire?

By 2020, it’ll be worth 26%, then 22% in 2021. By 2022, residential solar systems won’t be eligible for this credit at all. Commercial products will still have the opportunity to claim the 10% credit, though. Now has never been a better time to take advantage of this credit.

How is the federal investment tax credit calculated?

Eligible Expenses The ITC is calculated by multiplying the applicable tax credit percentage (10%–30%) by the “tax basis,” which is the amount invested in eligible property. Eligible property includes the following: • Solar PV panels, inverters, racking, balance-of-system equipment, and sales and use taxes on the equipment