Bought an EV in 2023? See if You Qualify for the $7,500 Tax Credit

The 2024 tax season is coming to a close, but if you haven't filed your 2023 tax return yet, the EV tax credit of up to $7,500 is one of the biggest tax credits available to US taxpayers. 

This robust tax break, which offers a credit of up to $7,500 with the purchase of a new electric vehicle, was overhauled by 2022's Inflation Reduction Act, and since last year, the IRS and Treasury Department have been clarifying how and when you can use the credit. 

Here's what you need to know about the revised EV tax credit for 2023, including which cars qualify and how to claim it. And if you're considering purchasing an electric vehicle in 2024, learn what you'll need to do to claim the credit in 2025.

For more, here are other tax credits you may be eligible for, including tax tips for home owners.

What are the requirements for the EV tax credit?

The Inflation Reduction Act made several major changes to the tax credit:

• There is a price cap on qualifying EVs. For passenger cars, the manufacturer's suggested retail price, or MSRP, must be $55,000 or less. For vans, SUVs and light trucks, the ceiling is $80,000.
• Beginning in 2024, vehicles that contain battery parts from "a foreign entity of concern" will be unable to claim any of the credit. For critical minerals, the cutoff is 2025.
• The manufacturing cap, which disqualified automakers that have manufactured more than 200,000 EVs, has been lifted.
• There is also a ceiling on the adjusted gross income to qualify for the credit.

For the most part, these changes took effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and will remain in effect until Jan. 1, 2032. Always check the IRS website for updates.

How you can buy an EV in 2024 and get the credit at the same time

If you're buying an EV this year, you may be able to have your cake and eat it too. Starting in 2024, you can claim that credit when you purchase your clean vehicle at the point of sale, effectively lowering the vehicle's purchase price. This way, you won't have to wait till you file your taxes in 2025 to receive the credit.

Which EVs are eligible for the tax credit?

The Inflation Reduction Act broke the credit into two halves: You can claim $3,750 if at least half of the value of your vehicle's battery components are manufactured or assembled in North America.
You can claim the other $3,750 if at least 40% of critical minerals -- like graphite, lithium and cobalt -- are sourced from the US or a trade partner. (Both minimum requirements increase in the coming years, with battery components reaching 100% in 2029 and critical minerals maxing out at 80% in 2027.)

Nearly 4 dozen are eligible for one of or both credits under the new provisions -- including EVs from Chevy, Ford, Tesla and VW -- which are in effect through Dec. 31, 2032. The list will likely grow as manufacturers submit updated information and change suppliers. Find the most up-to-date info on FuelEconomy.Gov.

How do I claim the EV tax credit?

To claim the tax break, known as the Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit, you will need to file IRS Form 8936 with your tax return. (You'll need to provide the vehicle identification number for your vehicle.)
This is a non-refundable tax credit, which means you use it against taxes that you owe -- once your tax bill hits $0, you don't get the additional money.

Can I claim the tax credit on a used EV?

Starting last year, preowned plug-in electric and fuel-cell EVs qualify for a credit of up to 30% of their purchase price, maxing out at $4,000.

There are certain restrictions:

• The used EV tax credit can only be claimed once in a vehicle's lifetime. Subsequent owners will not be eligible.
• The MSRP of the car must be $25,000 or less.
• The car must be at least 2 years old. If you bought it in 2023, it must be from model year 2021 or earlier.
• Used vehicles purchased before 2023 are not eligible.
• The vehicle must have been purchased from a qualified dealer who reports the transaction to the IRS.
• The vehicle must otherwise meet the requirements for the EV credit.

Below are income caps for owners of used EVs wishing to claim the credit.

Do individual states have EV tax incentives?

In addition to the federal EV tax credit, a number of states offer rebates for clean vehicles. Some can't be taken in conjunction with the federal credit, so be sure to get all the information before claiming anything.

California's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project offered credits up to $7,500 for the purchase or lease of certain new EVs, plug-in hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles, but the program expired on Nov. 8, 2023. California still offers a host of state and local incentives to EV buyers.

The Energy Department's Alternative Fuels Data Center has information on various incentives offered by states, utilities and private organizations. EnergySage, an online marketplace for home solar-energy solutions, has a list of state rebate programs.

Can I get a tax credit for installing an EV charger?

The Inflation Reduction Act also extended the tax break for residential charging systems through 2032 and made it retroactive to Jan. 1, 2022.

It's worth $1,000, or 30% of the cost of buying or installing the system, whichever is less.

The credit now also applies to bidirectional charging equipment, which lets you use your EV to power other appliances or even your home. Not many models have that capability, but it can be handy in an outage or other emergency.

To claim the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit, you must file IRS Form 8911. 

For more on EVs, find out which models are the year's best and how you can finance a home EV charger.