Besides being healthier for the environment, purchasing an electric car can be healthy for your tax return. However, there are a few requirements that go hand-in-hand with the purchase of an electric car that one needs to understand to reap the full benefit from the tax credit.
Put simply, the current tax credit for purchasing an electric car is $7,500. This tax credit is not a rebate, so you will not receive it when you purchase the vehicle, nor is it a tax deduction. That means you cannot use it to reduce the amount of your taxable income.
How to Use an Electric Car Tax Credit
In the year you purchase an electric car, you are allowed to reduce the total amount of income tax you owe by $7,500. This means that if you own less than $7,500, you will lose the remainder of the tax credit. For example, if your tax liability is $6,500, then that is the full amount of the tax credit you will receive. The balance is not a refund nor can it be used to offset future tax liabilities.
Determining Which Cars Qualify for the Tax Credit
When considering the purchase of an electric car, keep in mind, it must be a new vehicle that will be used for your personal use. You cannot use the credit on a used car or a lease as the leasing company typically receives the tax credit. In addition, the car must have been manufactured by a car company and cannot be a conversion. Finally, the car must be used in the United States.
As with all things related to the IRS, there are conditions that must be adhered to when using the electric car tax credit, but the upside is that by utilizing this credit, it is possible to bring the cost of an electric car down to where it is inline with a gasoline vehicle.
If you’d like to minimize your tax liability legally, then call 949-759-5626 and ask for Jerry.
Morey & Associates is a Southern California CPA Firm with two offices in Orange County, Newport Beach and San Clemente.