Blastphemy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2012
- Messages
- 167
I'm in the market for a 2013 Toyota RAV4 EV, but I can't seem to find a reputable dealer in Southern California who will give honest answers about leasing that vehicle.
Two separate dealers have told me that I can lease the RAV4 EV and still claim the $7,500 tax credit when I file my Federal taxes for 2012. That is complete nonsense! What a great way to trigger an audit - try to steal $7,500 from the IRS!
Check out the relevant IRS form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8936.pdf - it clearly states in the instructions that "[the person claiming the tax credit must be the owner of] the vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, only the lessor and not the lessee is entitled to the credit." [emphasis added]
If you find a dealership that is giving this erroneous information (i.e., LYING to you), please post that dealer's name in this thread so that others can be warned. If your dealership is lying to you about this, what else are they lying about?
I'm waiting to hear back from both of the dealerships I visited before I out them to give them a chance to change their tunes. (There's always the possibility that it's just ignorance and not deception.)
NOTE: You can get the California $2,500 tax rebate if you lease, but the lease has to be at least 3 years. (If you purchase, you have to own the RAV4 EV for 3 years or the state may come after you for fraud.)
Two separate dealers have told me that I can lease the RAV4 EV and still claim the $7,500 tax credit when I file my Federal taxes for 2012. That is complete nonsense! What a great way to trigger an audit - try to steal $7,500 from the IRS!
Check out the relevant IRS form: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8936.pdf - it clearly states in the instructions that "[the person claiming the tax credit must be the owner of] the vehicle. If the vehicle is leased, only the lessor and not the lessee is entitled to the credit." [emphasis added]
If you find a dealership that is giving this erroneous information (i.e., LYING to you), please post that dealer's name in this thread so that others can be warned. If your dealership is lying to you about this, what else are they lying about?
I'm waiting to hear back from both of the dealerships I visited before I out them to give them a chance to change their tunes. (There's always the possibility that it's just ignorance and not deception.)
NOTE: You can get the California $2,500 tax rebate if you lease, but the lease has to be at least 3 years. (If you purchase, you have to own the RAV4 EV for 3 years or the state may come after you for fraud.)