Can I include installation materials for the Exterior Door Energy Efficiency Improvement Credit?
I replaced my front door myself last summer and I'm pretty sure it qualifies for the Energy Efficiency Improvement Credit. The door itself was rated for energy efficiency with all the proper certifications, but I'm confused about what expenses I can actually include. Besides the actual door (which was about $450), I had to buy several other materials to complete the installation properly - caulk, lumber for framing adjustments, some nails, new trim, weatherstripping, etc. All those extra materials probably added another $120-150 to the project. When calculating the total expense for this tax credit, can I include all those supplementary installation materials in the total? Or is the credit strictly limited to just the cost of the door itself? I want to maximize my credit but don't want to do anything improper on my taxes.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (which covers exterior doors) generally allows you to include costs that are directly related to the energy efficient component itself, but there are some limitations on what counts. For exterior doors specifically, you can include the cost of the door itself plus materials that are integral to the energy efficiency features (like weatherstripping that came with the door). However, general construction supplies like lumber for framing, nails, and trim work aren't typically included because they're considered structural rather than directly contributing to energy efficiency. The caulk is a bit of a gray area - if it's specifically used to seal the door for energy efficiency purposes, some tax professionals might consider it eligible, but the IRS guidance isn't completely clear on this point.
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Rosie Harper
•Thanks for the detailed explanation! So basically the door itself and maybe the weatherstripping would qualify, but not the lumber, nails and trim. What about the threshold? I had to replace that too since the old one wasn't compatible with the new door.
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Elliott luviBorBatman
•The threshold could potentially qualify if it's an integral part of the door's energy efficiency system. If the threshold includes weatherstripping or helps create the thermal seal for the door, there's a reasonable argument for including it. For the caulk question, if you used it specifically to seal gaps around the door frame to prevent air leakage, there's a case for including it as it directly contributes to energy efficiency. However, if you're audited, you'd need to explain how these components directly relate to the energy efficiency of the installation.
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Demi Hall
I went through this exact situation last year with my back door replacement. I was confused about what qualified too, then I found this awesome tool at https://taxr.ai that analyzes your home improvement receipts and tells you exactly what qualifies for energy tax credits. It saved me a ton of time figuring out what parts of my project were eligible. The tool confirmed that I could include the door, weatherstripping, and threshold since they all contributed to the energy efficiency, but had to exclude the decorative trim and framing lumber. It also helped me organize everything I needed for Form 5695.
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Mateusius Townsend
•Does this taxr.ai thing work for other energy credits too? I installed solar panels and I'm completely lost on what documentation I need.
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Kara Yoshida
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Demi Hall
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Kara Yoshida
I have to admit I was wrong about taxr.ai - I decided to try it after my initial skepticism and I'm glad I did. I uploaded my receipts from my attic insulation project (which I thought was fairly straightforward), and it identified several additional eligible expenses I would have missed. The breakdown showed exactly which items qualified and why, with references to the specific tax code sections. It even flagged a few items that I thought would qualify but actually don't. Saved me from potentially claiming too much and risking issues with the IRS. Much better than guessing or trying to interpret the tax code myself.
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Philip Cowan
If you're still confused about what qualifies or if the IRS questions your credit, good luck getting anyone on the phone! I spent 3 weeks trying to reach a human at the IRS about my energy credits last year. Finally used a service called Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) that got me connected to an IRS agent in about 20 minutes. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c The IRS agent confirmed that for exterior doors, you can include the door itself and components that directly improve the energy efficiency (like weatherstripping and seals), but not general construction supplies. She also mentioned keeping all your receipts and the manufacturer's certification statement for the door showing it meets energy efficiency requirements.
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Caesar Grant
•How does Claimyr actually work? I don't understand how they can get you through when the IRS phone lines are always jammed. Sounds like magic or something sketchy.
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Lena Schultz
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Philip Cowan
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Lena Schultz
I can't believe I'm saying this, but I tried Claimyr after posting my skeptical comment. It actually worked exactly as advertised. I got a call back in about 30 minutes with an IRS representative on the line. I asked specifically about the energy efficiency credits for doors, and they confirmed what others have said - the door itself, weatherstripping, and threshold can be included if they contribute to energy efficiency, but not general construction materials. The agent also mentioned keeping documentation that proves the door meets the Energy Star requirements. Definitely worth it just to get a definitive answer directly from the IRS.
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Gemma Andrews
Just be careful with these energy credits - make sure your door actually qualifies before claiming anything. The requirements changed for 2023. The door needs to meet Energy Star Most Efficient criteria now, not just regular Energy Star like before. Check your documentation from the manufacturer to confirm it meets the right standards.
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Rosie Harper
•Wait, seriously? I thought any Energy Star certified door would qualify. Is there a way to check if my door meets this "Most Efficient" standard after the fact? The packaging is long gone.
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Gemma Andrews
•Actually I need to correct myself - for exterior doors, you're right that Energy Star certification is still sufficient. The "Most Efficient" requirement applies to other categories like water heaters and HVAC. What did change is the maximum credit amount - it's now 30% of costs up to $250 for a single door (or up to $500 total if you replaced multiple doors). You should be able to find the Energy Star certification information on any documentation that came with the door or by looking up the model number on the manufacturer's website.
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Pedro Sawyer
Has anyone actually received this credit yet on their tax return? I claimed it last year for a new front door but my refund seems delayed compared to normal. Wondering if these energy credits are triggering extra review or something.
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Mae Bennett
•I got mine processed without any delay. Make sure you filled out Form 5695 correctly - that's where you calculate the credit. Also, if you claimed other credits like solar or EV, those sometimes get additional scrutiny.
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