Treasury Releases Final Rules for Energy Tax Credit Prevailing Wage, Apprenticeship Bonuses
The Inflation Reduction Act modified and extended many energy tax incentives used in residential construction, including requiring taxpayers to meet prevailing wage and/or apprenticeship requirements in order to claim the full value of the tax credit. The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have now released final regulations on these labor requirements.
To claim the full credit amount for certain incentives, taxpayers are required to pay workers the “prevailing wage,” and in other cases, also hire a certain number of registered apprentices.
The prevailing wage requirements apply to multifamily projects claiming the Section 45L New Energy Efficient Home Tax Credit.
The prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements apply to the Section 45 Production Tax Credit, the Section 48 Investment Tax Credit, and the Section 179D Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction, among others.
In 2022, based on initial guidance from the IRS, the Department of Labor issued two Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) documents to help taxpayers comply with these requirements: one on prevailing wage and the other on apprenticeships. These webpages now note the FAQs will be updated soon to reflect changes in the final regulations.
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy
Apr 03, 2026
NAHB’s Monthly Update Features a Codes Victory and Economic SnapshotThe talking points this month feature news related to federal energy code mandates and the current economic conditions for the housing industry.
Safety
Apr 02, 2026
Call Before You Dig: 6 Key Steps to Prevent Utility Strikes on the JobsiteApril’s National Safe Digging Month is a timely reminder for builders, contractors and trade partners to prioritize one of the most critical and often overlooked jobsite safety practices: preventing utility strikes.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Apr 03, 2026
Job Growth Rebounds in MarchThe U.S. labor market showed signs of a modest rebound in March following a weak February, as payroll employment increased and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3%. Job growth was led by healthcare, construction, and transportation and warehousing.
Economics
Apr 02, 2026
Iran Conflict Reverses Decline in Mortgage RatesMortgage rates, which dipped below 6% in February, climbed back up to end the month just under 6.4%. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.18% in March, 13 points (bps) higher than February. The average 15-year rate also increased by the same amount to 5.56%. Despite the recent increase, both rates remain lower than a year ago by 47 bps and 27 bps, respectively.
Economics
Apr 01, 2026
Consumer Confidence Climbs Despite Oil Price SurgeConsumer confidence in March rose to a three-month high as consumers’ improved view of current business and labor market conditions outweighed weaker future expectations.