If you’ve owned your home for several years, there’s a good chance the value of your property has increased over that period (especially in a high-demand area). Selling a home with a large capital gain can eat into years of equity by way of taxes to the IRS, which is why some homeowners choose to stay in the same home indefinitely.

Homeowners who install energy-efficient systems like heat pumps, skylights, or biomass stoves may qualify for the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit—worth up to 30% of the cost. Caps apply, such as $2,000 for heat pumps and $600 for windows. To claim it, file IRS Form 5695 with your tax return. Before starting home upgrades, consult a tax professional to ensure eligibility. Whitaker Myers offers financial and tax guidance to help you save more this tax season.