The federal EV charger tax credit has ended.

Plenty of charger ads and older articles still promise a 30% federal tax credit. For a home charger installed in the second half of 2026 or later, that's no longer true. This guide explains what the credit was, exactly when it ended, what to do if your charger went in before the cutoff, and what Maryland still offers. If you're planning an install now, start with our home EV charger installation page.

What the 30C credit was

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, section 30C of the tax code, covered EV charging equipment as well as other alternative-fuel refueling property. According to the IRS instructions for Form 8911, the form used to claim it, for equipment at your main home that isn't used in a business the credit was 30% of the cost of the property, limited to $1,000 per item.

There was a catch many buyers missed. For property placed in service after 2022, the charger had to be in an eligible census tract. The IRS publishes the list of eligible tracts, and plenty of homes weren't in one.

When it ended, and why

Public Law 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, changed the credit's termination date from December 31, 2032 to June 30, 2026. The IRS puts it plainly: you can't claim the credit for alternative fuel vehicle refueling property placed in service after June 30, 2026.

If your home charger was placed in service on or after July 1, 2026, there is no federal 30C credit for it.

What “placed in service” means for you

The date that matters is when the charger was installed and ready to use, not when you ordered it, signed a contract or paid a deposit. A charger bought in June but installed in July missed the cutoff. Keep your invoice and the permit or inspection record: together they show when the work was finished.

If your charger went in before July 1, 2026

You may still be able to claim it on the return for the year it was placed in service, using Form 8911. A charger installed between January 1 and June 30, 2026 would go on your 2026 return. Check the census tract first, because that's where most home claims fall down. Whether you qualify, and how a state rebate interacts with the federal credit, are questions for your tax preparer. The IRS instructions linked below are the authority.

The other federal home credit that ended

The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C), which covered panelboards of 200 amps or more up to $600, also ended. It only applied to property placed in service by December 31, 2025. That matters for EV owners because a charger sometimes means a panel or service upgrade. Our guide to the panel upgrade tax credit in 2026 has the details.

What Maryland still offers

The Maryland Energy Administration's FY2027 Residential EVSE Rebate is open. It pays 50% of eligible equipment and installation costs for one Level 2 charger, up to $700. You apply after the charger is installed, working and paid in full, and applications close at 3:00 PM ET on May 31, 2027, or sooner if funds run out. If installation costs are part of your claim, a Maryland-licensed electrical contractor has to do the work. Our Maryland EV charger rebate guide covers eligible costs and the paperwork.

How to spot an out-of-date offer

Charger listings, dealer handouts and older articles can outlive the rules they quote. A few checks help:

• Look for a date. A page that mentions the 30C credit without saying it ended June 30, 2026 was probably written before the change.
• Check who's paying. A federal tax credit, a state rebate and a utility program are three different things, run by three different organizations, with different rules.
• Go to the source. The IRS instructions for Form 8911 and the Maryland Energy Administration's rebate page are the authorities, and both are linked below.
• Don't let a deadline that has passed rush you. No federal credit is waiting at the end of a fast decision now. Take the time to get the panel checked and the price in writing.

Does losing the credit change what you should install?

Not much. The credit never changed the electrical side of the job. A Level 2 charger still needs a dedicated 240-volt circuit sized to the charger, and the first question is still whether your panel and service have room for it. With no federal credit, it's even more worth getting a load calculation before deciding between a hardwired charger and a NEMA 14-50 outlet, or before assuming you need a panel upgrade at all.

A few practical points for 2026 and beyond:

• Get a written, itemized quote that separates the charger, the circuit and any panel work.
• Use a licensed electrician and a permit, so the install qualifies for the MEA rebate.
• Keep the paid invoice and take a photo of the charger installed and charging your car.
• Be skeptical of any ad that still quotes a federal charger credit without a date.

Wyatt Electric has installed and serviced home electrical systems in Harford County, Baltimore County and Baltimore City since 1986. We check your panel first, explain the options and give you a price before any work starts.