
The electric vehicle tax credit is a program that offers up to $7,500 for certain new vehicles and up to $4,000 for some used ones. It is designed to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids, or hydrogen-powered cars, reduce emissions, and promote the adoption of cleaner energy. The eligibility criteria include income limits, vehicle assembly standards, and battery component requirements. The income limits are determined by the buyer's modified adjusted gross income (MAGI or AGI), which must be below certain thresholds, and the vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP).
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What You'll Learn

Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) thresholds
Modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is an important figure for understanding your taxable income and eligibility for certain tax credits or deductions. MAGI is your household's adjusted gross income (AGI) after accounting for tax-exempt interest income and certain tax deductions. It is used to determine eligibility for healthcare waivers, incentives under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and state Medicaid programs.
MAGI thresholds are applicable to individuals who are direct or indirect partners of a partnership or shareholders of an S corporation claiming the New Clean Vehicle Credit. The eligibility of taxpayers for the New Clean Vehicle Credit is limited by their MAGI. Taxpayers must be below the MAGI threshold to qualify for the credit.
The MAGI thresholds for the New Clean Vehicle Credit are as follows:
- Single and married filing separately: $150,000
- Head of household: $225,000
- Married filing jointly: $300,000
- Single and married filing separately: $75,000
- Head of household: $112,500
If your MAGI is above the accepted limits, you must repay the IRS any rebate amount you accepted.
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Income limits for new and used vehicles
The electric vehicle (EV) tax credit is indeed limited by income. The credit is available to individuals and their businesses. The income limits are determined by modified adjusted gross income (MAGI or AGI). The income limits for new vehicles are as follows:
- Single and married filing separately: $150,000.
- Head of household: $225,000.
- Married filing jointly: $300,000.
- Single and married filing separately: $75,000.
- Head of household: $112,500.
The income limits for used vehicles are the same as for new vehicles. The vehicle must be at least two model years older than the calendar year in which it was purchased. The used EV tax credit only applies once in the vehicle's lifetime. The vehicle must be purchased through a dealer, and only an individual may claim the used EV tax credit.
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State and local incentives
The federal EV tax credit, which can be worth up to $7,500 for new vehicles and up to $4,000 for used ones, is a dollar-for-dollar reduction on your taxes. This credit is available to individuals and businesses and applies to new, qualified plug-in EVs or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCVs). To be eligible, the vehicle's manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) must be within certain limits, and your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must not exceed specific thresholds.
The MSRP limits for the federal EV tax credit vary depending on the type of vehicle. Vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks are limited to an MSRP of $80,000, while sedans and passenger cars must have an MSRP of $55,000 or less. For used vehicles, the purchase price must be $25,000 or less. These price caps refer to the manufacturer's suggested retail price, which includes certain options and accessories but excludes taxes and other fees added by the dealer.
The income limits for the federal EV tax credit are based on MAGI and vary depending on filing status. For single filers or married couples filing separately, the MAGI limit is $150,000. For head of household filers, the limit is $225,000, and for married couples filing jointly, the limit is $300,000. It's important to note that these income limits are subject to change and may be different for state and local incentives.
In addition to the federal EV tax credit, certain states may offer their own incentives to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. These incentives can include rebates, grants, or other benefits that are separate from the federal tax credit. As the availability and specifics of these incentives can vary by state and locality, it's essential to check with your local government or a tax professional to understand the full range of incentives available to you.
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Eligibility criteria and changes
The electric vehicle tax credit is indeed limited by income. The credit is available to individuals and businesses, but eligibility depends on specific criteria, including income limits, vehicle assembly standards, and battery component requirements. The income limits are determined by modified adjusted gross income (MAGI or AGI). The eligibility threshold varies depending on the filing status:
- $150,000 for single filers or married filing separately
- $225,000 for the head of the household
- $300,000 for married couples filing jointly or a surviving spouse
The vehicle must also meet certain price, battery, and assembly restrictions to qualify for the tax credit. The price caps by vehicle type refer to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) and are as follows:
- $80,000 for vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks
- $55,000 for sedans and passenger cars
- $25,000 for used vehicles
The vehicle must be assembled in North America, and at least 60% of the battery's components must be manufactured or assembled in North America. The credit is non-refundable, meaning it can lower your tax liability but you won't get any overage of the credit refunded once your liability hits zero.
The eligibility criteria and rules for the electric vehicle tax credit have undergone changes in recent years. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 changed the rules for the credit for vehicles purchased from 2023 to 2032. The Clean Vehicle Credit (CVC) provisions, which came into effect on January 1, 2023, removed the manufacturer sales caps for vehicles sold after that date and expanded the scope of eligible vehicles to include both EVs and FCEVs. Additionally, the CVC now requires that the battery powering the vehicle has a capacity of at least seven kilowatt-hours (kWh).
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Claiming the credit
The electric vehicle tax credit is indeed limited by income. The income limits are determined by modified adjusted gross income (MAGI or AGI). By filing status, the limits are as follows:
- Single and married filing separately: $150,000
- Head of household: $225,000
- Married filing jointly: $300,000
- Single and married filing separately: $75,000
- Head of household: $112,500
If your MAGI was above the accepted limits, you must repay the IRS any rebate amount you accepted. You can use your modified AGI from the year you take delivery of the vehicle or the year before, whichever is less. If your modified AGI is below the threshold in one of the two years, you can claim the credit.
To claim the credit, you can file Form 8936 when you file your federal income taxes. You will need to provide your vehicle's VIN. The dealer should give you a paper copy of a time-of-sale report when you complete your purchase. You will also need to provide the vehicle's identification number and the date of the transfer election to the IRS.
If you bought a new, qualified plug-in electric vehicle (EV) in 2022 or before, you may be eligible for a clean vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D. The maximum credit is $7,500. It is non-refundable, so you can't get back more on the credit than you owe in taxes. You can't apply any excess credit to future tax years.
For vehicles delivered on or after April 18, 2023, limitations apply that went into effect on January 1, 2023, related to the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), the buyer's modified adjusted gross income, and the vehicle's battery capacity. The MSRP can be found on the vehicle's window sticker, which is also known as the "Monroney label". The MSRP for this purpose includes any trim, options, or accessories for the particular vehicle and excludes the destination fee and dealer-provided options and accessories.
The total tax credit available for a vehicle may not exceed $7,500. Qualifying EVs purchased and delivered between August 17, 2022, and December 31, 2022, are eligible for the tax incentive as described below for vehicles purchased before August 17, 2022, but are limited to vehicles with final assembly in North America.
If your vehicle was delivered from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and you plan to claim it on your 2025 taxes, check which cars qualified for the tax credit. Cars must meet a certain price point to qualify for the credit. Vans, SUVs and pickup trucks: $80,000 or less. Sedans and passenger cars: $55,000 or less. Used: $25,000 or less. The limits above refer to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the electric vehicle tax credit is limited by income. The income limits are determined by modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). The limits are as follows: $150,000 for single filers, $300,000 for married couples filing jointly, $225,000 for the head of household, and $75,000 for married filing separately.
The clean vehicle tax credit is a program that offers up to $7,500 for certain new vehicles and up to $4,000 for some used ones. It is designed to reduce emissions and promote the adoption of cleaner energy.
You can claim the credit on your tax return, reducing your tax bill by either $7,500 for an eligible new vehicle or $4,000 for an eligible used vehicle. Alternatively, you can transfer your clean vehicle credit directly to a car dealer, lowering your vehicle's purchase price.
The eligibility criteria for the electric vehicle tax credit include income limits, vehicle assembly standards, and battery component requirements. The vehicle must be assembled in North America, and at least 60% of the battery's components must be manufactured or assembled in North America.
The purpose of the electric vehicle tax credit is to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, or hydrogen-powered cars. The program aims to reduce emissions and promote the use of cleaner energy.






































