Individual Credits
The Clean Vehicle Credit (Sec. 30D) was scheduled to expire after 2032. Under the OBBBA, the credit is available only through September 30, 2025. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) significantly expanded the credit for qualifying clean vehicles placed in service after April 17, 2023. For eligible taxpayers, it extended the credit to any “clean vehicle,” including electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel cell cars and plug-in hybrids.
The maximum credit for new vehicles is $7,500, based on meeting certain sourcing requirements for 1) critical minerals and 2) battery components. Clean vehicles that satisfy only one of the two requirements can qualify for a $3,750 credit.
Vans, pickup trucks and SUVs with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of more than $80,000 don’t qualify for the credit, nor do automobiles with an MSRP higher than $55,000. Qualified vehicles also must undergo final assembly in North America.
The IRA also created a new credit, Sec. 25E, for eligible taxpayers who buy used clean vehicles from dealers. The credit equals the lesser of $4,000 or 30% of the sale price. But the credit can’t be claimed at all if the sale price is over $25,000. The OBBBA also ends this credit after September 30, 2025.
These credits are unavailable to taxpayers with incomes exceeding certain amounts, and additional rules and limits apply.
Business Credit
The OBBBA also eliminates the tax incentive for a business’s use of clean vehicles. The Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (Sec. 45W) had been scheduled to expire after 2032. It’s now available only for vehicles acquired on or before September 30, 2025. Depending on vehicle weight, the maximum credit is up to $7,500 or $40,000.
Additional rules and limits also apply to this credit.
Do Your Due Diligence
While these credits can be valuable, don’t rush to purchase a clean vehicle without doing your due diligence. Check whether the vehicle you want to buy is qualified and that you would indeed be eligible to claim the credit. If you have questions regarding any of these clean vehicle credits (or other tax breaks related to purchasing a vehicle) please don’t hesitate to contact the office.
