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Inflation Reduction Act: How You Can Cut Costs & Carbon Emissions with the New Climate Bill

As your Representative, I am proud to share the benefits from the Inflation Reduction Act – the biggest climate bill in our country’s history – which makes economy-wide investments in agriculture, coastal restoration, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and transportation that will benefit hardworking Californian families. The Inflation Reduction Act is projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030, making the United States well-positioned to meet its climate goals while also investing in the American economy.

The transition to a green economy is expected to save families an average of $1,000 per year in energy costs. Millions of Californians are already eligible for tax credits that will make it easier and more affordable for them to upgrade to more efficient appliances, purchase an electric vehicle, install residential clean energy systems, and save money on their energy bills. All the tax credits are available as of January 2023, and now Californians can access the the California Energy Commission home electrification program! 

See below to learn how you can take advantage of the clean energy tax credits and rebates listed below!

Tax Credits

New Electric Vehicle: 30D (Up to $7,500 Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

Working families will be able to use tax credits that make electric vehicles more affordable. Purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) can save families thousands of dollars on fuel costs over the life of their car. Over their lifetimes, EVs have smaller carbon footprints than gasoline cars and can be plugged into the same type of outlet as your toaster. When you need a charge on the road, there are 53,000 publicly available charging stations across the U.S., including over 15,000 stations in California.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying buyers are limited to individuals with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) less than $150K (or $300K for joint filers).

Qualifying vehicles must have a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of less than $55K (or $80K for vans, SUVs, or pick-up trucks), and meet certain battery manufacturing and component criteria. Note: if you take possession of a new clean vehicle on or after April 18, 2023, it must meet critical mineral and battery component requirements to qualify for the credit.

For Vehicles Purchased and Delivered in 2022: Visit this website to see which EVs are eligible.

For Vehicles Purchased and Delivered in 2023 and Later: Visit this website to see which EVs are eligible. This is a list based on information provided by vehicle manufacturers and will be updated. For more information on the qualification requirements, visit this IRS website.

ACCESS

To claim the credit, file Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (Including Qualified Two-Wheeled Plug-in Electric Vehicles) with your tax return.

Beginning in 2024, taxpayers have the option to transfer this tax credit as a “point of sale rebate” by a dealership to directly lower the price of the vehicle by the credit amount at the time of purchase. This is big news for Californian families who want an upfront down payment on their clean vehicle at the point of sale, rather than wait to claim their credit on their tax return the next year. Clean vehicle dealers and sellers will need to use this online tool to register with the IRS and submit time-of-sale reports.

Leased Electric Vehicle: 45W (Up to $7,500 Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

Leasing an electric vehicle is an additional option consumers can use to take advantage of the Inflation Reduction Act benefits. Through the Commercial Clean Vehicle Tax Credit, businesses that lease electric vehicles (such as dealerships) are eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualified vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings of under 14,000 pounds. Businesses can subsequently pass this credit on to the lessee through lower monthly costs. For more information on leasing a clean vehicle, visit this IRS website.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying recipients are businesses and tax-exempt organizations, or individuals who lease a qualified vehicle from such business or organization.

Qualifying vehicles are listed here.

ACCESS

The tax incentives for leased vehicles are provided to the dealer, who may pass on the consumer benefits to the lessee through reduced leasing costs. If you are leasing an electric vehicle, you can request information from the dealership on how tax incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act are passed on to you, the customer.

Used Electric Vehicle: 25E (Up to $4,000 Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

Beginning January 1, 2023, if you buy a qualified used electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) from a licensed dealer for $25,000 or less, you may be eligible for a used clean vehicle tax credit (also referred to as a previously owned clean vehicle tax credit). The credit equals 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying buyers are limited to individuals with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) less than $75K (or $150K for joint filers).

Qualifying vehicles must have a MSRP of less than $25K, weigh less than 14,000 pounds, and be at least two years old (model year must be at least 2 years older than the year of sale.)

Find a list of qualified vehicles here. Purchases must be made through a dealer who is licensed to sell motor vehicles.

Required information includes:

  • Dealer’s name and taxpayer ID number
  • Buyer’s name and taxpayer ID number
  • Sale date and sale price
  • Maximum credit allowable under IRC 25E
  • Vehicle identification number (VIN), unless the vehicle is not assigned one
  • Battery capacity

ACCESS

To claim the credit, complete Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit (Including Qualified Two-Wheeled Plug-in Electric Vehicles and New Clean Vehicles), and file it with your tax return for the year you took possession of the vehicle.

Beginning in 2024, taxpayers have the option to transfer this tax credit as a “point of sale rebate” by a dealership to directly lower the price of the vehicle by the credit amount at the time of purchase. This is big news for Californian families who want an upfront down payment on their clean vehicle at the point of sale, rather than wait to claim their credit on their tax return the next year. Clean vehicle dealers and sellers will need to use this online too to register with the IRS and submit time-of-sale reports.

Electric Vehicle Charger: 30C (Up to $1,000 Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

The Inflation Reduction Act incentivizes businesses and homeowners to install EV chargers by expanding the existing tax credit known as the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (30C) and extending it for 10 years. Level 2 residential EV chargers pull electricity from a 240V outlet and can charge your EV overnight, whereas Level 3 public chargers can charge EVs in as little time as 20 minutes. 

ELIGIBILITY

Homeowners residing in eligible lower-income or rural census tracts can get a tax credit of 30% of the cost of installing a home EV charger on their property—up to a maximum of $1,000. 

Qualifying property will be limited to property placed in service within low-income communities or non-urban census tracts. Find out if your location is eligible for this tax credit with guidance from the Department of Energy’s 30C Tax Credit Eligibility Locator (this mapping tool is intended to reflect all eligible locations for the 30C credit but is not formal IRS guidance).

Further, beginning in 2023, the tax credit for businesses and home installations applies to other EV charger equipment like bidirectional (two-way) chargers that turns your car battery into a backup power source for your home. This credit could also help renters by encouraging apartment complexes and other businesses to install EV chargers for residents and customers.

For more information on the qualification requirements, visit this IRS website.

ACCESS

To claim the credit, complete Form 8911, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, and file it with your tax return for the year you placed the EV charger in service. You will need your receipt to show the purchase price of the EV charger and any fees for installation of the charger.

Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit: 25D (30% Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

Rooftop solar is covered under the 25D tax credit and provides Californian households an uncapped 30% tax credit. The cost of solar panel installation depends on a number of factors, such as your home and solar panel size, and where you live. Those who upgrade their electrical panels in conjunction with rooftop solar are also eligible for a 30% uncapped tax credit. If you decide to go solar, you’re not alone. It is expected that over 930,000 additional Californian households will install rooftop panels as a result.

ELIGIBILITY

This 30% credit applies to purchase and installation costs for:

  • Solar panels
  • Solar water heaters
  • Fuel cell property expenditures
  • Small wind turbines
  • Geothermal heat pumps
  • Battery storage systems

The amount of the credit you can take is a percentage of the total improvement expenses in the year of installation with no annual maximum or lifetime limit:

  • 30% for 2022 – 2032
  • 26% for 2033
  • 22% for 2034

In low-income or energy communities, community solar and leased rooftop solar developers may be able to access additional 10% or 20% bonuses. Rather than directly qualifying for these bonuses, homeowners may benefit from them through leasing or subscription community solar models.

For more information, check out this IRS FAQ on the 25D tax credit, this ENERGY Star Guide on qualifying purchases, and this Department of Energy guide to the Rooftop Solar tax credit.

ACCESS

To claim the credit, complete Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits Part II and file it with your tax return.

Energy Efficient Home Improvement: 25C (Up to $3,200 Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

The Inflation Reduction Act significantly expands and extends the 25C tax credit, now known as the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Previously, this tax credit was limited to 10% of your project costs but is now increased to up to 30% and available on an annual basis. After January 1, 2023, qualified energy-efficient improvements to your home may qualify you for tax credits worth up to $3,200.

ELIGIBILITY

You may claim the energy-efficient home improvement credit for improvements to your main home. Your main home is generally where you live most of the time. You can’t claim the credit if you’re a landlord or other property owner who doesn’t live in the home.

For the energy efficiency home improvement credit, the home must be:

  • Located in the United States
  • An existing home that you improve or add onto, not a new home

Homeowners can claim up to $2,000 for heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, or biomass stoves. Upgrade costs eligible for the credit can include equipment, installation, and labor costs.

Homeowners can also claim up to $1,200 for other weatherization installs and energy-efficient improvements including up to:

  • $150 for a home energy audit
  • $250 for a new exterior door ($500 total for all exterior doors)
  • $600 for new exterior windows and skylights
  • $1,200 for insulation
  • $600 for an upgraded electrical panel

For more information, check out this IRS FAQ on the 25C credit and this ENERGY Star Guide on qualifying purchases.

ACCESS

File Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits Part II, with your tax return to claim the credit. You must claim the credit for the tax year when the property is installed, not merely purchased.

Home Energy-Efficiency and Electrification Rebates

The Inflation Reduction Act includes $8.8 billion in rebates for home energy efficiency and electrification projects, which is expected to save American households up to $1 billion annually. This legislation provides point-of-sale discounts to low- and moderate-income households across America to electrify their homes. When households make qualifying electrification purchases, they will receive these rebates from their eligible contractor as a discount on the invoice or check. Californians can now access electrification rebates through the California Energy Commission’s High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHRA) Program!

High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate HEEHRA (Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

$35 million in rebates are now available for multifamily projects, including for electrical upgrades; heat pumps for space heating and cooling; heat pump water heaters; electric stoves, cooktops, ranges, or ovens; heat pump clothes dryers. Multifamily property owners with five or more units that house low-to-moderate income Californians interested in HEEHRA rebates available through TECH Clean California can submit a quick Application Stage 1 Form to initiate a project, property, and income eligibility review. $45M in rebates for single-family households for heat pump equipment to heat and cool income-eligible homes will be available in the coming weeks. Watch for notice of availability on the CEC’s home rebates website.

Equipment purchases and/or installations made before California’s HEEHRA rebates are launched are not eligible for rebates. Only eligible equipment and appliances purchased with an approved HEEHRA rebate application available through a HEEHRA and TECH Clean California-certified contractor AFTER the program application is open are eligible for rebates.

ELIGIBILITY

Qualifying Households:

  • Owners/operators of multifamily properties in California which include five or more residential units and household income-qualified tenants
  • Single family resident homeowners, or owners of single-family property with income-qualified tenants
  • Governmental, commercial, or nonprofit organizations carrying out a project for an owner of a eligible property.

Households with an annual household income at or below 150 perfect of area media income (AMI) are eligible for rebates. A tool to help you find out if your household income qualifies will be released on the TECH Clean California website soon.

HEEHRA rebate amounts differ based on the type of home (single family home or multifamily property), income level of the household, and the equipment.

Multifamily units are eligible for the rebates below, with a maximum total rebate per residential unit of $14,000. Eligible equipment includes ENERGY STAR® certified:

  • Heat Pump for Space Heating and Cooling – Two-Speed (Heat Pump HVAC) (Up to $7,500)
  • Heat Pump Air Conditioner/Heater – Variable Speed (Up to $8,000)
  • Heat Pump Water Heater (Electric to Electric) (Up to $700)
  • In-Unit Heat Pump Water Heater (Up to $1,750)
  • Central Heat Pump Water Heater ($1,750 per unit served)*
  • Upgraded Electric Panel (Up to $4,000)*
  • Upgraded Electric Wiring (Up to $2,500)*
  • Electric Stove, Range, or Oven (Up to $840)
  • Heat Pump Clothes Dryer (Up to $840)

*ENERGY STAR® certifications do not exist for these product types. Alternate product eligibility criteria will be provided.

Single-family rebates will be available in the coming weeks, with the eligible equipment and income levels below:

Low-income (<80% AMI)

  • Heat Pump for Space Heating and Cooling (Up to $4,000)

Moderate-income (80-150% AMI)

  • Heat Pump for Space Heating and Cooling (Up to $8,000)

For more information, visit the TECH Clean California website.

Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebate HOMES (Up to $8,000, Available Now)

DESCRIPTION

The Inflation Reduction Act will allocate $291 million to help California families undertake comprehensive energy-efficient home improvement projects through the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings (HOMES) rebate program. The California Energy Commission (CEC) is proposing to split HOMES funding between two programs:

  1. The CEC’s Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program providing no-cost upgrades for low-income residents.
  2. A statewide Pay for Performance Program through which rebates will be based on actual measured energy savings, available to Californians of all income levels.

You can find an update of the CEC’s application status with the Department of Energy for these rebates as these funds are being rolled out. The CEC will provide additional guidance on the HOMES rebate program, and we will update this website as rebates become available to California homeowners.

ELIGIBILITY

Low-income residents and those who live in a disadvantaged community (DAC) are eligible for the HOMES Equitable Building Decarbonization Direct Install Program. Retrofits must replace gas heating and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units and water heating with heat pumps in a single-family or multifamily building or a manufactured or mobile home. This program will provide no-cost upgrades for those that qualify.

All Californians, regardless of income level, are eligible for the HOMES Pay for Performance Program rebates. Retrofits for existing single-family or multifamily homes must produce an overall energy savings of at least 15 percent. However, the more energy that is saved, the higher the rebate.

Qualifying Households:

The energy-saving incentive tiers are as follows:

  • Retrofits with modeled energy system savings of 35% or more: the lesser of $4,000 or 50% of project costs.
  • Retrofits with modeled energy system savings of 20-34%: the lesser of $2,000 or 50% of project costs.
  • Retrofits with measured energy savings of 15% or more: the lesser of $100 per percent of energy saved or 50% of project cost.

Incentives for low-income households (less than 80% of Area Median Income) are doubled, or up to 80% of project costs.

Additional Resources

Note: This resource page was compiled to raise awareness of new clean energy and electrification incentives for constituents and is not intended to substitute for professional financial advice.

Updated on October 22, 2024 by the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition