At Padgett, we’ve been fielding a lot of questions from business owners about recent changes to clean energy tax incentives. The bottom line? Many of these valuable tax breaks are ending much sooner than expected, but you still have time to take advantage of them if you act now.
What changed?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed into law on July 4, 2025, made some significant changes. While it extended certain tax breaks, it also cut short many clean energy incentives that businesses had been counting on.
For example, the tax credit for buying commercial clean vehicles was supposed to last until 2032, but it ended on September 30, 2025. If you didn’t purchase your vehicle by that deadline, unfortunately that credit is no longer available.
The good news: Energy-efficient building improvements still qualify
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your building’s energy efficiency, there’s still a solid opportunity through Section 179D. This allows you to deduct the full cost of energy-efficient improvements immediately instead of spreading it out over 39 years.
Who can claim it?
- Business owners who own their commercial building
- Tenants making improvements to leased space
- Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
- Architects and engineers working on government or nonprofit buildings
What improvements qualify?
- Interior lighting upgrades
- HVAC system improvements
- Hot water system upgrades
- Building envelope improvements (like insulation or windows)
The requirements: Your improvements need to reduce your building’s annual energy costs by at least 25% compared to industry standards. You’ll need an independent contractor or licensed engineer to certify this.
What’s it worth?
- Basic deduction: 50 cents to $1 per square foot (depending on energy savings)
- Enhanced deduction: $2.50 to $5 per square foot (if you meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements)
The deadline: Projects must begin construction by June 30, 2026.
Other clean energy breaks worth knowing about
EV Charging Stations (Section 30C) Installing charging stations or alternative fuel dispensers? You can get up to $100,000 per unit, but only if the property is placed in service by June 30, 2026.
Solar and Wind Projects (Sections 48E and 45Y) These credits are being eliminated for facilities placed in service after 2027—unless you start construction by July 4, 2026. If you do start by that date, you’ll need to complete the project by the end of 2027.
Manufacturing Credits (Section 45X) If your business manufactures wind energy components or works with critical minerals, there are still credits available, but they’re being phased out between 2027 and 2033.
What should you do now?
If you’ve been on the fence about any clean energy investments—whether it’s upgrading your building’s HVAC system, installing EV chargers for your fleet, or making your facility more energy-efficient—now is the time to seriously consider moving forward.
These aren’t small tax benefits we’re talking about. For a business upgrading a 10,000 square foot building with energy-efficient improvements that meet the enhanced requirements, you could be looking at a $25,000 to $50,000 deduction.
Your Padgett team can help you:
- Determine which credits and deductions you’re eligible for
- Calculate potential tax savings for your specific situation
- Ensure your projects meet all the requirements
- Time your investments strategically before these opportunities disappear
Don’t let these tax-saving opportunities slip away. Reach out to your Padgett advisor today, and let’s discuss how your business can benefit while there’s still time.