Are Impact Windows Tax Deductible? | Bigfoot Windows & Roofing

The Confusion

Why Homeowners Get This Wrong

Tax deduction vs. tax credit vs. insurance discount — these are three completely different things.

Every year, South Florida homeowners invest in impact windows and then ask their accountant: “Can I write this off?” The answer depends on which benefit you’re asking about — and most homeowners are conflating three different financial incentives that work very differently.

• Tax deduction: Reduces your taxable income. Impact windows do not qualify as a deductible business expense for a primary residence.
• Tax credit: Reduces your actual tax bill dollar-for-dollar. Some impact windows do qualify — but only if they meet energy-efficiency thresholds.
• Insurance discount: A reduction in your annual windstorm or homeowners premium based on a Florida wind mitigation inspection. This is entirely separate from the IRS and has nothing to do with energy ratings.

Understanding which benefit applies to your project — and what documentation you need — is what this article covers.

South Florida Context

HVHZ, Florida Product Approval, and Why Miami-Dade Is Different

Miami-Dade and Broward counties sit inside the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — the strictest residential building code jurisdiction in the United States. Windows installed in HVHZ must carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or meet the equivalent Florida Product Approval standard under the Florida Building Code Section 1609.

Here is the critical nuance for tax purposes: structural compliance (NOA/Florida Product Approval) and energy-efficiency certification (ENERGY STAR) are evaluated on separate tracks. A window can hold a Miami-Dade NOA and still not qualify for the federal energy credit if its U-factor or Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) does not meet the IRS threshold for Florida’s climate zones (1A and 2A).

Florida climate zones 1A (southern tip) and 2A (central/north Miami-Dade, Broward) have specific ENERGY STAR requirements. For the federal energy credit, the IRS follows ENERGY STAR’s Most Efficient program criteria — generally a U-factor of 0.30 or lower and an SHGC of 0.25 or lower for these warm climates. Verify the current thresholds on energystar.gov before purchasing — these values can change between program years. Always verify the specific product’s ENERGY STAR label, not just its hurricane rating.

Federal Tax Credit Explained

IRS Form 5695 and the Inflation Reduction Act — What Actually Qualifies

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expanded and extended the Residential Clean Energy Credit and the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit through 2032. For impact windows, the relevant provision is the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C).

To qualify, your impact windows must meet the ENERGY STAR requirements applicable to your climate zone. For South Florida homeowners, that means verifying the manufacturer’s certification statement — a separate document from the product approval or NOA — which must confirm the window meets the U-factor and SHGC thresholds set by the IRS for your climate region.

Important: The credit applies to the cost of the windows themselves. Labor and installation costs do not qualify for the window credit under current IRS guidance (though labor may qualify for certain other improvements — consult your CPA).

For homeowners using financing options like PACE to spread the cost, the same rule applies: only the window cost (not interest or fees) would factor into the credit calculation. For qualifying property owners, there may be tax benefits available — please consult your CPA.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Federal Tax Credit vs. Florida Windstorm Insurance Discount

These two benefits are frequently confused. Here is how they differ:

For most South Florida homeowners, the windstorm insurance discount tends to deliver more total dollar value over time — because it recurs every year and is not capped at $600. The federal credit is a one-time-per-year benefit capped at $600 for windows. Both are worth pursuing; they are not mutually exclusive.

Because Bigfoot holds a Certified General Contractor license (CGC1531370) in addition to the Glass & Glazing Specialty license, projects that involve structural modifications — such as widening an opening to accommodate a larger impact window or adding hurricane straps during a combined roof-and-window replacement — can be handled under one contractor relationship. This means the permit documentation, product approvals, and energy certification paperwork all flow through a single accountable source, rather than being split across multiple subcontractors.

What We Install

Impact Windows That Can Support Energy Credit Documentation

Bigfoot installs aluminum impact windows, primarily through the Mr. Glass line. Aluminum frames are our recommendation for South Florida — they are more time-tested in HVHZ heat, salt air, humidity, and hurricane conditions than vinyl frames.

The Mr. Glass product line carries Florida Product Approval across all series. For homeowners pursuing the federal energy credit, the critical step is confirming that the specific series and glass package selected meets the ENERGY STAR thresholds for Florida’s climate zones 1A and 2A. Our Low-E SB 70 glass package — our primary recommendation for South Florida — is optimized for solar heat rejection per manufacturer specifications; confirm the specific unit’s U-factor and SHGC with your sales representative before relying on it for the IRS energy credit. Always verify the manufacturer’s current ENERGY STAR certification statement for the exact unit you are purchasing before filing Form 5695.

Learn more about our impact window installation services and impact door options for South Florida homes.

Documentation Checklist

What You Need to Claim the Credit

Before filing IRS Form 5695, gather these documents:

1. Manufacturer’s Energy Certification Statement — A written certification from the window manufacturer confirming the product meets the applicable ENERGY STAR requirements. This is NOT the same as the NOA or Florida Product Approval document.
2. ENERGY STAR label or certificate — Confirms the product is ENERGY STAR certified for the applicable climate zone.
3. Paid invoice — Shows the window cost (separated from installation labor).
4. Product Approval or NOA number — Confirms HVHZ compliance for your permit records (separate from IRS purposes, but useful for your full project file).
5. IRS Form 5695 — File with your federal return for the tax year the windows were installed. The credit applies to the year of installation, not purchase.

Your contractor should also provide the product approval number and permit documentation — keep those in the same file alongside the documents above.

Consult a licensed CPA for guidance specific to your tax situation. For qualifying property owners, there may be additional tax benefits available — your CPA is the right person to evaluate your full picture.

Who We’re Not the Right Fit For

• Rental or investment property owners seeking the Section 25C credit: The federal energy credit applies to primary residences only. If you own a rental property in Miami-Dade, the credit does not apply — though the windstorm insurance discount from impact windows may still reduce your premium. We install windows on rental properties, but we cannot help you pursue the IRS energy credit for them.
• Homeowners who need a tax attorney or CPA: We can provide manufacturer certification documentation and product approval paperwork. We cannot give tax advice. If your situation involves multiple properties, business use of your home, or complex deduction questions, please consult a licensed CPA before filing.
• Buyers expecting a large tax refund from impact windows: The Section 25C credit is non-refundable and capped at $600 for windows annually. If your tax liability is already zero, you will not receive a check from the IRS. Manage expectations accordingly.
• Projects requiring only a permit pull or inspection sign-off from a GC: We handle full-scope installations. If you only need a permit pulled for work someone else is doing, that is not our model.