Updated frequently — last updated Oct. 3, 2008 Hybrid Vehicles Vehicles Purchased or Placed in Service The Energy Policy Act of 2005 replaced the clean-fuel burning deduction with a tax credit. A tax credit is subtracted directly from the total amount of federal tax owed, thus reducing or even eliminating the taxpayer’s tax obligation. The tax credit for hybrid vehicles applies to vehicles purchased or placed in service on or after January 1, 2006. The credit is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle. If a qualifying vehicle is leased to a consumer, the leasing company may claim the credit. Hybrid vehicles have drive trains powered by both an internal combustion engine and a rechargeable battery. Many currently available hybrid vehicles may qualify for the tax credit. These models have been certified for the credit in the following amounts: † This reflects a decrease in the credit amount as of Oct. 1, 2006, due to the manufacturers meeting quarterly sales of 60,000 qualified hybrid cars — See Quarterly Sales, below. †† This credit amount does not phase out. The full amount of the altenative fuel vehicle credit would be available for vehicles purchased on or before December 31, 2010. Qualifed Cars and Credit Amounts Model Year 2009 Model Year 2008 Model Year 2007 Model Year 2006 Model Year 2005 Quarterly Sales Consumers seeking the credit may want to buy early since the full credit is only available for a limited time. Taxpayers may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th hybrid passenger automobile or light truck or advance lean burn technology motor vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter. More information on the latest hybrid quarterly sales is available. (No longer available.) For example, F Company is a manufacturer of hybrid motor vehicles, but not advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles. F Company sells its 60,000th hybrid car on March 31, 2007. Ms. Smith buys an F Company hybrid car on June 30, 2007, and claims the full credit. Ms. Maple buys an F Company hybrid car on Dec. 31, 2007, and claims 50 percent of the credit. Mr. Grey buys an F Company hybrid car on June 30, 2008, and claims 25 percent of the credit. Mr. Green buys an F Company hybrid car on July 1, 2008, and is unable to claim the credit, because the credit has phased out for F Company vehicles. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., has submitted quarterly reports indicating that its cumulative sales of qualified vehicles to retail dealiers has reached the 60,000-vehicle limit during the calendar quarter ending June 30, 2006. Effective Oct. 1, 2006, the tax credit amounts for certified Toyota models will be reduced. The models and allowable credits may be found in news releases IR-2006-145, Toyota Hybrid Begins Phaseout on October 1 and IR-2006-154, Additional Toyota and Lexus Vehicles Certified for the Energy Tax Credit. More detailed information may be found in the Summary of the Credit for Qualified Hybrid Vehicles. Advanced Lean Burn Technology Vehicles Purchasers of advanced lean burn technology motor vehicles may claim a credit of $1,300 per vehicle. Make Model Credit Amount Volkswagen 2009 Jetta –2.0L TDI Sedan manual and automatic $1,300 Volkswagen 2009 Sportwagen –2.0L TDI manual and automatic $1,300 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BLUE TEC $1,800 Mercedes-Benz R320 BLUE TEC $1,550 Mercedes-Benz ML320 BLUE TEC $900 Related News Releases and Fact Sheets on Hybrid Cars and Alternative Motor Vehicles Clean Fuel Vehicle Deduction Available for Certain Models Subscribe to IRS Newswire
