Frequently Asked Questions about Vehicle Tax Incentives

What's the difference between a deduction and a credit?

A tax deduction reduces the amount of income for which you are taxed. For example, if your taxable income were $50,000, a $2,000 deduction would reduce it to $48,000. So, you would pay taxes on an income of $48,000 instead of $50,000. This means your actual savings would be a fraction of the $2,000 deduction.

A tax credit reduces the total amount of income tax you owe. So, if you owed $10,000 in federal income tax, a $2,000 credit would reduce the amount you owed to $8,000. With a credit, your actual savings would be $2,000.

Where can I find information on State incentives?

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) maintains a list of State & Federal Incentives.

Can I claim the credit for a used vehicle?

No. The credit applies to new vehicles only.

Can I claim the credit for a leased vehicle?

If a qualifying vehicle is leased to a consumer, the leasing company may claim the credit.