Florida New Roof Tax Credit Guide | Bigfoot Windows & Roofing
Florida does not have a standalone state-level tax credit for new roofs. What does exist is a federal energy-efficient home improvement credit under IRS Section 25C — part of the Inflation Reduction Act — which can cover up to 30% of qualifying roofing costs, capped at $1,200 per year, for roofs that meet ENERGY STAR cool-roof reflectivity requirements. Not every new roof qualifies.
Updated August 2026
Key Takeaways
- No Florida state new-roof tax credit exists — the relevant credit is federal (IRS Section 25C).
- The federal credit is 30% of qualifying costs, up to $1,200/year for roofing improvements.
- Only roofs meeting ENERGY STAR cool-roof standards generally qualify for the federal credit.
- My Safe Florida Home grants (up to $10,000 matching) are a separate program — not a tax credit.
- Your roofing contractor must provide specific documentation for IRS substantiation.
The Real Picture
Why Homeowners Get Confused About Florida Roof Tax Credits
Two very different programs, one understandable mix-up.
Search “Florida new roof tax credit” and you will find dozens of articles conflating state programs, federal credits, insurance discounts, and grants. The confusion is understandable — South Florida homeowners face high replacement costs, and any available financial relief is worth understanding precisely.
Here is the honest breakdown: Florida does not levy a state income tax, which means there is no mechanism for a Florida state income tax credit on a new roof. What does exist at the state level are sales-tax exemptions on certain materials and the My Safe Florida Home grant program — neither of which is a tax credit in the IRS sense. The real tax-credit opportunity is federal, and it comes with specific eligibility rules that many South Florida roofs do not automatically meet.
South Florida Context
Miami-Dade, Broward, and the HVHZ Factor
Local code requirements shape what roofing systems are even available to you.
Miami-Dade and Broward counties sit inside the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — the most stringent residential building-code jurisdiction in the United States. Every roofing system installed in the HVHZ must carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or meet the equivalent Florida Building Code 8th Edition wind-uplift performance standards. These code requirements are about structural performance, not energy efficiency.
That distinction matters for tax-credit planning: a roof can be fully HVHZ-compliant under the Florida Building Code and still not qualify for the federal energy credit if it does not meet the ENERGY STAR Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) thresholds. The two sets of standards operate independently. When our team proposes a roofing system for a South Florida home, we confirm both the applicable NOA for HVHZ and any product-approval documentation you will need for a tax-credit claim.
Palm Beach County sits outside the HVHZ proper, but many of its coastal municipalities apply similar high-wind construction requirements under the Florida Building Code. Homeowners across all three counties should confirm both compliance pathways before assuming a new roof qualifies for federal credits.
Federal Credit Deep Dive
How the IRS Section 25C Energy Credit Actually Works
Thirty percent back — but only on the right roof system.
The Inflation Reduction Act, signed in 2022 and effective for tax years 2023 through 2032, expanded the Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 25C. For qualifying roofing improvements, the credit equals 30% of the installed cost, subject to a combined annual cap of $1,200 for all Section 25C improvements in a given tax year (roofing, windows, doors, insulation, and certain HVAC equipment share this cap).
To qualify for the roofing portion of Section 25C, the product must meet ENERGY STAR requirements for roof products — specifically the reflectance and emittance thresholds set by the EPA. In practice, this generally means:
- Metal roofing with an appropriate pigmented coating that meets ENERGY STAR’s Solar Reflectance Index criteria
- Asphalt shingles that carry the ENERGY STAR Certified Roof Products label — not all shingles qualify
- Concrete or clay tile with qualifying reflective coating — product-specific
Standard gray asphalt shingles almost never qualify. GAF’s Timberline Cool Series and similar ENERGY STAR-labeled shingles do qualify. Standing-seam metal roofs with qualifying coatings frequently qualify. Bigfoot installs GAF shingle systems and Englert standing-seam metal panels roll-formed on-site from 24-gauge C4 steel — our team can confirm which specific product configurations carry ENERGY STAR labeling before you commit.
| Roofing System | Typically Qualifies for 25C? | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| ENERGY STAR-labeled asphalt shingles | Yes — if labeled | ENERGY STAR Certified Roof Products list |
| Standard (non-cool) asphalt shingles | No | Does not meet SRI threshold |
| Standing-seam metal with qualifying coating | Yes — product-specific | Pigmented coating meets ENERGY STAR SRI |
| Concrete/clay tile with reflective coating | Possibly — product-specific | Confirm with manufacturer certification |
| TPO flat membrane (white) | Possibly — product-specific | Check ENERGY STAR labeling for product |
Important limitation: the $1,200 annual cap applies across all Section 25C improvements combined. If you also replace windows or add attic insulation in the same tax year, the total credit for all improvements combined cannot exceed $1,200 (with certain sub-limits by category). Consult your CPA or tax advisor — this article is educational, not tax advice.
Side-by-Side
Tax Credit vs. My Safe Florida Home Grant vs. Insurance Savings
Three financial incentives — three very different mechanisms.
| Program | Type | Max Benefit | Eligibility Trigger | Who Administers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRS Section 25C | Federal tax credit | 30% of cost, up to $1,200/yr | ENERGY STAR-qualified product | IRS / your tax return |
| My Safe Florida Home | Matching grant | Up to $10,000 | Wind-mitigation inspection + qualifying improvement | Florida Division of Emergency Management |
| Wind Mitigation Inspection Credit | Insurance premium reduction | Varies by insurer | New roof + wind mit inspection + policy review | Your insurance carrier |
| Secondary Water Barrier Discount | Insurance premium reduction | Varies (see OIR-B1-1802) | Full-deck peel-and-stick underlayment | Your insurance carrier |
The My Safe Florida Home program offers matching grant funding of up to $10,000 for qualifying wind-mitigation home improvements, subject to program funding and eligibility. This is money you do not repay — but it is a grant, not a tax credit, and it requires a licensed wind-mitigation inspection as the starting point. Learn more at mysafeflhome.com.
The insurance-savings pathway is separate from both. A new qualifying roof combined with a wind mitigation inspection and policy review can reduce homeowners insurance premiums meaningfully. The specific amount depends on your insurer, coverage zone, and inspection results — Bigfoot does not quote insurance savings as a guaranteed outcome.
When the federal credit is not the right path
If your primary goal is storm protection rather than energy efficiency, the My Safe Florida Home grant and wind mitigation inspection route often delivers more direct financial benefit for Miami-Dade and Broward homeowners. The Section 25C credit is only valuable when the roof system you actually need for HVHZ compliance also happens to carry ENERGY STAR labeling — a meaningful subset, but not every job.
Why Verification Matters
A Licensed Roofing Contractor, Not a Lead Aggregator
Your documentation for IRS and Florida program eligibility depends on who installs the roof.
To claim the federal Section 25C credit, the IRS requires that you keep documentation showing the product meets the applicable ENERGY STAR standard. That documentation typically comes from the manufacturer’s certification statement and the contractor’s installed-value receipt. A contractor who pulls permits and installs under their own Florida license is the party who can provide this paper trail.
Bigfoot Windows & Roofing operates as a Certified Roofing Contractor and a Certified General Contractor. When the scope of a roof replacement surfaces structural concerns — deteriorated decking, failed hurricane straps, or load-path issues revealed during tear-off — our general contractor license allows us to address structural modifications in-house without bringing in a separate contractor, which keeps the documentation chain clean and the project on a single permit. That structural scope is grounded in our Certified General Contractor license authority, not a marketing claim.
“Every homeowner asking about tax credits deserves a straight answer: confirm your product is ENERGY STAR-labeled before you sign a contract, and get the manufacturer cert in writing. We put that in every proposal.”
President, Bigfoot Windows & Roofing
What We Install
Which Bigfoot Roofing Systems Can Support a Tax-Credit Claim
Product specifics determine eligibility — generics do not.
Bigfoot installs three primary roofing systems for South Florida homes. Their credit eligibility depends on the specific product configuration:
- GAF shingle system (Silver Plus certified): GAF offers ENERGY STAR-labeled shingles in their cool-roof lines. Standard Timberline HDZ shingles are generally not ENERGY STAR-labeled. If the federal credit matters to you, we confirm whether the specific shingle SKU carries ENERGY STAR labeling at proposal stage. The GAF System Plus warranty (50-year non-prorated, available through our Silver Plus certification) covers shingles, labor, tear-off, and accessories — separate from any tax-credit benefit.
- Englert standing-seam metal: Our metal panels are roll-formed on-site from 24-gauge C4 steel with a Kaner multi-coat proprietary paint system. Whether a specific color and coating meets ENERGY STAR SRI thresholds is product-configuration-dependent. Light-colored or reflective-coated panels are more likely to qualify; darker colors may not. We confirm at proposal stage.
- Westlake concrete and tile systems: Tile with qualifying reflective coatings can potentially meet ENERGY STAR requirements. Standard gray concrete tile generally does not. Product-specific confirmation is required.
For any of these systems, Bigfoot provides the manufacturer certification statement and the installed-value receipt — the two documents you or your CPA will need to substantiate a Section 25C claim. We do not provide tax advice; we provide the documentation. Your CPA or tax professional handles the return.
Interested in understanding the full cost picture before deciding? Visit our roofing pricing estimator for South Florida to get a ballpark before you call.
Documentation Checklist
What Paperwork You Need for a Florida Roof Tax-Credit Claim
The IRS does not accept good intentions — it accepts paper.
To substantiate a Section 25C roofing credit on IRS Form 5695, you will generally need:
- Manufacturer’s certification statement — a written statement from the roofing product manufacturer confirming the product meets the applicable ENERGY STAR standard. This is different from the product brochure.
- Contractor’s installed-value receipt — an itemized invoice showing the cost of qualifying roofing materials (labor costs for Section 25C roofing are generally not creditable — materials only, unlike some other Section 25C categories).
- Permit documentation — proof of a permitted installation under the applicable Florida Building Code. In the HVHZ this means Miami-Dade or Broward county permit records.
- Your completed IRS Form 5695 — filed with your federal return for the tax year the improvement is placed in service.
For the My Safe Florida Home grant, documentation requirements are different and set by the Florida Division of Emergency Management. The starting point is a licensed wind-mitigation inspection. Visit mysafeflhome.com for current program eligibility and funding availability.
If you are considering financing a roof replacement, note that PACE financing is paid through your property tax bill rather than a bank loan — it does not affect your FICO score. For qualifying property owners, there may be tax benefits available related to property tax treatment of PACE assessments — please consult your CPA.
Ready to know whether your specific roofing project qualifies for the federal energy credit?
Or call Bigfoot Windows & Roofing directly at 786-886-2088
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Who We’re Not the Right Fit For
Bigfoot Windows & Roofing is a South Florida roofing and contracting company. We are honest about where we are not the best match:
- Homeowners whose only goal is the lowest bid, regardless of documentation: If tax-credit documentation, permitted installation, and manufacturer certifications are not priorities for you, there are lower-price contractors who skip this paperwork. We are not one of them.
- Out-of-state investment properties: We operate in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. Properties outside South Florida are outside our service area.
- Commercial high-rises requiring large-scale flat-roof membrane scopes only: Our core residential expertise is in shingle, metal, and tile systems for 1-4 story homes. Large commercial projects that are primarily TPO membrane-only are not our primary focus.
- Homeowners seeking a guaranteed tax savings outcome: We provide product documentation and installed-value receipts. Tax credit eligibility and amount are determined by your tax professional and the IRS, not by us. We will not promise a specific credit outcome.
Homeowner Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Florida state tax credit for getting a new roof in 2025 or 2026?
No. Florida does not have a state income tax, so there is no Florida state income tax credit for a new roof. The relevant credit is federal — IRS Section 25C — which provides up to 30% of qualifying roofing costs, capped at $1,200 per year for all combined Section 25C improvements. A Florida sales-tax exemption on certain building materials is a separate, narrower benefit. Consult your CPA for your specific situation.
What federal tax credit can I get for a new roof on my Miami-Dade home?
Under IRS Section 25C (Inflation Reduction Act), you may claim a credit equal to 30% of the cost of qualifying energy-efficient roofing materials — not labor — up to a $1,200 annual combined cap for all Section 25C improvements. The roof must be ENERGY STAR-labeled. Miami-Dade HVHZ compliance is a separate requirement; meeting HVHZ code does not automatically make a roof eligible for the federal credit.
Does a metal roof or cool roof qualify for the energy tax credit in Florida?
Metal roofs with qualifying pigmented coatings that meet ENERGY STAR Solar Reflectance Index thresholds can qualify. Not every metal roof color or coating qualifies — lighter, more reflective finishes are more likely to meet the threshold. ENERGY STAR-labeled asphalt shingles in a cool-roof configuration can also qualify. Standard non-reflective shingles generally do not. Confirm product-level ENERGY STAR labeling before purchase.
How does the My Safe Florida Home program differ from a roof tax credit?
The My Safe Florida Home program is a state grant — not a tax credit. It offers matching funds of up to $10,000 for qualifying wind-mitigation improvements including roofing. You do not repay it, but eligibility requires a licensed wind-mitigation inspection and program funding availability. A tax credit reduces your federal tax liability; a grant gives you money toward the improvement directly. Both can potentially be combined. Visit mysafeflhome.com for current program status.
What paperwork does my roofing contractor need to provide for a federal energy credit claim?
You need two key documents: a manufacturer’s certification statement confirming the product meets ENERGY STAR requirements, and an itemized contractor invoice showing the cost of qualifying materials. Labor costs are generally not creditable under Section 25C for roofing. You also need a permitted installation. Bigfoot provides both the manufacturer cert and an itemized installed-value receipt as standard deliverables on qualifying jobs.
Can I combine the federal Section 25C credit with financing or the My Safe Florida Home grant?
You may be able to stack multiple programs — for example, using My Safe Florida Home grant funds toward the improvement and then claiming the federal credit on the portion of costs you paid. PACE financing is paid through your property tax bill and does not affect your FICO score. Whether a PACE-financed improvement qualifies for the Section 25C credit in the year the improvement is placed in service depends on your specific tax situation — consult your CPA before assuming you can stack all three.
Do HVHZ roofing requirements in Broward County affect my tax credit eligibility?
HVHZ compliance requirements and federal energy-credit eligibility are independent standards. A roof that passes Florida Building Code 8th Edition wind-uplift requirements for the HVHZ does not automatically qualify for the Section 25C credit. The energy credit depends on ENERGY STAR product labeling, not structural performance. That said, some roofing products — particularly standing-seam metal with reflective coatings — can satisfy both sets of requirements simultaneously.
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Sources
- IRS Section 25C — Nonbusiness Energy Property Credit (Internal Revenue Code, as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022)
- ENERGY STAR Certified Roof Products — energystar.gov
- My Safe Florida Home Program — mysafeflhome.com
- Florida Building Code 8th Edition (2023) — floridabuilding.org
- IRS Form 5695 and Instructions (Residential Energy Credits)
Get a proposal that includes your documentation package.
We confirm ENERGY STAR eligibility, pull the permit, and deliver the manufacturer cert and itemized receipt your CPA needs.
