Federal Tax Credit Opportunity is Back for 2012-2013

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which reinstated for 2012 -2013 the Federal Tax Credit of up to $500 on select energy-efficient products. Duette Architella honeycomb shades from Hunter Douglas, which created the popular honeycomb shade category more than 25 years ago, are among those products.  They are the only window shades without add-on insulation systems to qualify for the credit.

The Federal Tax Credit opportunity is largely the same as in 2011, when consumers were eligible for a credit of 10 percent of the cost of qualifying Duette Architella shades, up to a maximum of $500, provided the expense meets the tax guidelines.  The shades must be purchased and installed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013.  Anyone who received a rebate of $500 or more from the similar tax credit that was in effect during 2010 and 2011 is not eligible for the credit for 2012-2013.  For anyone who received a credit of less than $500 during these prior years, that amount will be deducted from the $500 credit for the 2012-2013 years. The 2012-2013 tax credit is subject to a lifetime limitation of $500.