IT-255: Claim for Solar Energy System Equipment Credit (2025)
New York · NY DTF · Used for tax years 2025
Form IT-255 is used to claim New York’s solar energy system equipment credit and is submitted with Form IT-201 or IT-203. It calculates the current-year credit, applies any credit carried over from last year, and determines the amount available to carry over to next year.
Who files this form
Form IT-255 is used to claim the Solar Energy System Equipment Credit. Submit it with Form IT-201 or IT-203.
The form alone does not explain who qualifies for the credit.
What you'll need
To complete the form, have:
- Form IT-201 or IT-203, which you must submit with IT-255.
- Your name as shown on your return and your Social Security number.
- The date your equipment was placed in service.
- Qualified expenditure or qualified lease payment amounts for the applicable chart: purchase, power purchase agreement, or lease.
- Last year’s Form IT-255 if you have a carryover credit. Line 2 asks for last year’s line 10 amount.
- Your tax due before credits and the other credits applied before this credit.
The form refers to instructions for details about qualified amounts and limitations, but those instructions are not provided here.
How to file
Submit Form IT-255 with Form IT-201 or IT-203.
Complete the applicable purchase, power purchase agreement, or lease chart. Use Schedule A to calculate the credit and Schedule B to determine the amount applied and any carryover.
The supplied form does not give a mailing address or e-filing directions.
Common mistakes
The form includes these reminders:
- Submit IT-255 with Form IT-201 or IT-203, rather than by itself.
- Complete the chart that applies to your solar energy system equipment: purchase, power purchase agreement, or lease.
Questions people ask
How should I enter the equipment’s placed-in-service date?
Enter the date in month-day-year format, using two digits for the month, two for the day, and four for the year (mmddyyyy).
What calculation appears in column C?
Each chart directs you to multiply column B by 25% (0.25), not to exceed $5,000. The form also refers to instructions for qualified amounts and applicable limitations.
Where do I enter a credit carried over from last year?
Enter the carryover from last year’s Form IT-255, line 10, on this year’s line 2. Add lines 1 and 2 to calculate line 3.
How does the form calculate the credit available for next year?
Line 8 subtracts line 7 from line 3, or your portion of line 3. Line 9 records any amount included on line 8 that expired this tax year. Subtract line 9 from line 8 to find the carryover on line 10.