In the "Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act" (H.R. 4853) signed into law on December 17, 2010, Congress reduced the federal tax credit for energy-efficient windows, doors and skylights for 2011 and changed the qualifying criteria.

Qualifying Products: All ENERGY STAR® qualified windows, skylights and exterior doors are eligible. Products must be installed in a consumer's existing primary residence; new construction is not eligible.

Credit Amount: Consumers can claim a credit of 10% up to $200 of the purchase price of qualifying windows and skylights, and 10% up to $500 on qualifying exterior doors. Installation costs are not included.

Lifetime Cap: There is now a lifetime limit of $500 ($200 for windows & skylights) in total credits that a homeowner can claim from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2011. It is not on top of the $1500 limit in 2009-2010. If a consumer has already reached or exceeded the $500 limit, they are no longer eligible to claim the credit in 2011.

Duration: The revised tax credit is in effect for products installed in a consumer's primary residence between January 1 and December 31, 2011.

For more information, please visit www.energystar.gov