New Rules for the Clean Vehicle Credit

Taxpayers may now be eligible claim tax credits for new and used clean vehicles they buy during the tax year and, starting Jan. 1, 2024, they can transfer that credit to the dealership. This means that the taxpayer who is buying the vehicle can exchange their credit for a financial benefit such as reduced final cost. The financial benefit is equal to the amount of the credit, whether in cash, a partial payment or a down payment.

 

You may qualify for a credit up to $7,500 if you buy a new, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed the rules for this credit for vehicles purchased from 2023 to 2032.

To qualify, you must:

  • Buy it for your own use, not for resale
  • Use it primarily in the U.S.

In addition, your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) may not exceed:

  • $300,000 for married couples filing jointly
  • $225,000 for heads of households
  • $150,000 for all other filers

The IRS has provided a list of FAQs about this topic, including vehicle and manufacturer qualifications, which can be viewed by clicking here