Tax credits for electric vehicles: That's the topic asked this week by an "Ask the Experts" reader. The answer is from Internal Revenue Service tax expert Jesse Weller.
To see more advice on IRS or state Franchise Tax Board tax issues, go to: www.sacbee.com/ask. You can also see answers and ask questions of our other local experts on investing, personal finances and wills/trusts.
The Nissan Leaf all-electric vehicle advertises a $2,500 state of California rebate and some sort of $7,500 tax break from the IRS. When I asked the Nissan salesman how the $7,500 tax credit works, I was instructed to ask my "tax man."
So, tax man, here it is: I am self-employed and make estimated tax payments throughout the year. If I've done everything right, I should have little or no income tax liability on April 15. How then do I take advantage of the aforementioned $7,500? Is it a credit that carries over year to year? I suspect the $7,500 amount is not guaranteed.
The law provides a federal tax credit for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles, which includes passenger vehicles and light trucks.
The credit for this type of vehicle originally was to expire in 2014 but was made permanent by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
The maximum credit allowed for a vehicle bought after 2009 is $7,500. As of today, nine manufacturers of this type of vehicle have received IRS acknowledgment of their eligibility for the credit, and the amount that qualifies.
The list of qualified plug-in electric vehicles is on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses (Search under "electric.")
Taxpayers may generally rely on the vehicle manufacturer's certification that a specific make, model and year qualifies for the credit and the amount that can be claimed. To be eligible to claim the credit, a taxpayer must:
• own or lease the vehicle.
• have placed the vehicle in service during the tax year.
• be the original user.
• have acquired the vehicle for use or to lease to others, but not for resale.
• use the vehicle primarily in the United States.
IRS Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit, is used to claim the credit for vehicles placed in service during the tax year.
A tax credit reduces your tax liability dollar for dollar, while a deduction reduces the amount of income that is subject to tax. This credit is available only if a taxpayer has a tax liability. Any unused credit for a vehicle that is only for personal use cannot be carried to previous or future tax years.
Tax liability for this purpose means the total tax owed for the year. It is not based on the amount owed with the tax return.
For example, let's assume a self-employed person has a profit and a tax liability of $10,000, paid in estimated tax payments during the year. If the $7,500 tax credit applies, the taxpayer would normally be entitled to a refund of that latter amount.
The tax credit rules get much more complex if a vehicle is used in a business, including rules for a carryback/carryforward of unused credits.
If that is your situation, you would be well advised to seek assistance from a tax professional when filing your return.
– Compiled by Claudia Buck
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