Did the federal window tax credit end?
Yes. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, often called 25C, ended for improvements after December 31, 2025. The IRS page says: “You can claim the credit for improvements made through December 31, 2025.” This post reflects IRS pages read in November 2026. Do not plan a 2026 project around this credit.
The IRS instructions for Form 5695 say the same thing in different words. They state that you cannot claim energy efficient home improvement credits for expenditures or property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
What did the credit pay for windows?
It was capped for windows, and the cap is now history. The IRS page described a 30% credit on certain qualified expenses beginning January 1, 2023, with an annual limit. For windows, it said credit is limited to $600 total for exterior windows and skylights that meet Energy Star Most Efficient certification requirements.
| Item | What the IRS page said | Status for new work |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior windows and skylights | $600 total, for units meeting Energy Star Most Efficient requirements | Ended after December 31, 2025 |
| Exterior doors | $250 per door and $500 total | Ended after December 31, 2025 |
| Annual limit for most improvements | $1,200 per year | Ended after December 31, 2025 |
| Heat pumps and similar equipment | $2,000 per year | Ended after December 31, 2025 |
We list the old limits only so you can read old tax records. They give no benefit to a project today. If you installed windows in 2025, ask a tax professional how to report it.
Does that change what you should buy?
Not much. A tax credit was a bonus, never the reason to pick a window. The reasons stay the same: comfort, heat control, noise, durability and how the window looks in your home.
In DFW, heat is the main load. The National Weather Service Fort Worth lists the average date of the first 100°F day at DFW as July 1 and the last as August 27, based on a record that runs 1899 to 2024. That is one reason the solar heat number matters here. We explain it in our entry on SHGC.
What still matters when you choose windows?
Performance numbers, local code and installation quality. Here is a short map.
| What matters | Where to look | Our related page |
|---|---|---|
| Heat through the window | U-factor on the NFRC label | How to read an NFRC label |
| Sun heat through the glass | SHGC on the NFRC label | SHGC and U-factor for Texas |
| City energy code | Your city’s building office | DFW energy codes and new windows |
| Fit and install | Rough opening and frame size | Rough opening vs frame size |
| Permits | Your city’s permit rules | Highland Park, Southlake |
The NFRC label lists the rated numbers for one specific product. Ask each maker for the label or rating sheet for your exact configuration. Our pillar on energy-efficient windows in Texas pulls these threads together.
Are there any utility incentives left?
Maybe, but the rules are narrow. Oncor says it provides incentives to participating service providers for items like more attic insulation, energy-saving windows, and all-new HVAC systems. It adds that its residential programs typically run from February through November on an annual basis, subject to funds availability.
Three limits to keep in mind. The incentive goes to the service provider, not directly to you. Whether Oncor serves your address depends on where you live. And the program may change. We do not know whether a given window project qualifies.
We found no city window rebate in Dallas, Fort Worth, Highland Park, Southlake or Frisco. That is “none found,” not proof none exists. Call your utility and city to ask.
How do you plan the budget without the credit?
Plan on the full price. Ask for a written quote that lists glass, frame, hardware, install, trim and any permit work. Honey Rock publishes no prices, so ask us for a quote rather than expecting a range here. We also do not state lead times. They come from the maker and change.
A practical way to compare bids:
- Ask each bidder for the same scope in writing.
- Ask for NFRC numbers for each unit.
- Ask who handles removal, flashing and trim.
- Ask who pulls the permit and who is registered with the city.
- Ask for the warranty terms in writing from the maker.
Be careful with any seller who still advertises a “federal tax credit” on windows. Check the IRS page and read the date. If something seems off, ask a tax professional.
What if you installed windows in 2025?
The IRS page says you can claim the credit for improvements made through December 31, 2025. So work finished by that date may still matter on a 2025 return. A tax professional can tell you how Form 5695 applies to your case. We do not give tax advice.
Keep your invoice, your product label or rating sheet, and the date the work was placed in service. The IRS instructions turn on that date.
How can you spot out-of-date advice online?
Check the date and the source. Many window sellers still run pages about the credit. Use this short test:
- Does the page say “through 2025” or “ended”? That is current.
- Does it promise a credit for a 2026 install? That is out of date.
- Does it link to the IRS page? Open the link and read the date yourself.
- Does it quote a dollar figure with no source? Ignore it.
Next step
Planning a 2026 or 2027 project? Tell us about the home and the goals at /contact-us or call (214) 484-9982. For the performance side, start with energy-efficient windows in Texas.
Questions people ask
Can I still claim the federal tax credit for new windows?
Not for work placed in service after December 31, 2025. The IRS says you can claim the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for improvements made through that date. Its Form 5695 instructions say you cannot claim it for expenditures or property placed in service after December 31, 2025.
How much was the old window credit?
The IRS page says the credit limited exterior windows and skylights to $600 total and exterior doors to $250 per door and $500 total, inside an annual $1,200 cap for most improvements. That applied to improvements through 2025 and no longer applies to new work.
Should I wait for a new federal credit?
We cannot predict one, and we do not promise any. Choose windows for comfort, durability and fit for your home. If a new incentive appears, check the IRS or Department of Energy site and ask a tax professional before you rely on it.
Is there any incentive left for windows in Texas?
Oncor says it provides incentives to participating service providers for items like energy-saving windows, with programs that typically run February through November, subject to funds availability. The incentive goes to the provider, not to you. Check your address and the provider.
Terms on this page
Sources
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit
- IRS: Instructions for Form 5695
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (window limit)
- Oncor: Ready to get energy efficient? We show you how
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (annual limits)
- IRS: Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (rate)
- National Weather Service Fort Worth: 100 Degree Day Summary for Dallas/Fort Worth
Written by Honey Rock Window and Door and checked against the sources above on October 27, 2026. Product specifications and city rules change, so check the linked page before you act.
