EV Charger Tax Credit/Rebate Woes ..... This Has GOT to be a joke!

[Triaspis]

Background ...... Purchased an xlt ER in Dec 2023 ..... At point of sale was told that there was a Ford incentive where if I purchased an ER version, I would recieve a pro charger via mail.

Well ...... After many phone calls, I did get Sunrun to mail the charger ..... eventually ...... and i finally got it and had it installed a few months later.

Upon doing my 2023 taxes, I was told I could claim the $7500 EV tax credit and I did ...... However, being i didn't actually receive and install the charger till 2024 ...... I would have to apply for the charger installed tax rebate on next year's return because it was received and installed in 2024 .... apparently you only qualify once it's actually installed ...... ok

Fast forward to this year and charger is installed, butt my accountant says he needs paperwork on how charger was purchased or receipt.
Being that the cost of the charger was part of the ER package, I thought proving this would be easy ...... WRONG

Dealer says they have nothing showing charger was part of ER package ....... Nothing in my paperwork states so either ...... Sunrun has nothing and wasn't any help at all .......But both the dealer and sunrun say I need to contact Ford

Ford says I need to contact the dealer and/or Sunrun ...... what??? ..... It was Fords decision to bundle this thing in with the ER package, Fords decision to distribute through Sunrun for some ungodly reason .... And they keep saying to call the dealer or sunrun who both insist that being it was Fords decision to bundle and use 3rd party distribution ..... Only Ford can provide documentation concerning Fords policies or promotions.

Is this some kind of twisted Joke?
I CANT be the only one in this situation ..... This crack seems so big that others out there MUST have fallen through as well

I got so frustrated talking to Ford as they continuously deflected that at one point I said "you know what? The charger was shipped via UPS, so why not tell me to also try to contact them for documentation concerning Fords own sales/promotion/bundle policies?

Again ...... this is for the federal EV charger installation rebate/credit and not the ev tax credit which i already got last year.

Has anyone experienced a similar runaround concerning providing documentation for this ev charger install tax incentive where the charger came from sunrun being you purchased a ER vehicle?

After experiencing this huge runaround and washing of hands from Ford ..... I could only imagine what it would be like if I had a serious issue requiring their assistance.
I absolutely love this truck but im not liking how Ford handles themselves

If they can't provide a copy of their very own sales policy, I have zero confidence they can deal in good faith concerning anything serious should (God forbid) something like that become reality .... At this point, I do believe this is the last Ford I'll ever even consider buying.

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[RickLightning]

So here's reality.

If the charger was included in the sale of your vehicle, i.e. FREE, or even a line item as an option, you CANNOT take the tax credit for it.

You CAN take a tax credit for the installation of the charger.

HOWEVER, beginning in 2024, this tax credit is dependent on LOCATION. There's a whole process to lookup where you live and see if you qualify.

 

[jimfigler]

The charger is sort of free as it is not listed on the window sticker. I suppose you could get the 30% off the installation and the materials required for installation as they are eligible.

 

[Triaspis]

I do very much appreciate the comments folks .... it can often seem like your on a merry go round trying to vavigate such things as this and it becomes frustrating.

Bottom lin is Im not an accountant ..... The guy I pay to do such things simply asked me for documentation showing that the charger was part of the bundled sale when I received the ER version of the truck ..... It was definitely part of the bundle when you got the ER option for an extra 10k ...... Im just trying to provide him with the documentation so he can decide if I qualify or not ......thats what I pay him for.

Im not trying to finagle anything ..... Im simply telling him the Gods honest truth.
Now you would think if Ford had a "bundle" policy when I purchased the truck, it would be a simple matter for them to provide me with THEIR policy/incentive or whatever label they apply to this ...... Hell, even an old link to their website where they promoted this package would be fine ...... Something/anything from them mentioning this charger coming with the ER option would be fine

Hello..... even if they refused ..... that would be poor CS for sure ....However, them consistently telling me it's the dealer or sunruns responsibility is a pure cop out and simply just BS.

I really have no idea if I qualify for this rebate, but the first step towards actually finding out if I do is to assemble the facts ...... I have no idea why it's like pulling teeth just to get Ford to admit to what they sold me.

I would hate to have a real problem requiring assistance from Ford if something this simple is like climbing Mount Everest.

I've owned many Ford trucks and this experience has truly whittled away any trust I placed in Ford customer service post sale ...... its actually kinda shady behavior ..... especially telling me it's the dealer and/or sunruns responsibility to document Fords own bundle/sales/incentive programs

Im not even bothered whether I get the stupid rebate or not ...... I am bothered by the run around and finger pointing that seems to be their default practice these days.
I actually pray that I'll be lucky enough to not have any other issues requiring Ford customer service because if something this minor initiates such flagrant side stepping and finger pointing ...... I can only imagine how something more serious or important will be ignored through the same shady maneuvering

This won't be my last EV truck, however, it will be my last Ford vehicle period.

 

[Pioneer74]

You shouldn't need a receipt for the purchase of the device if you're trying to get the installation credit. You don't get a credit on the equipment, only the installation.

I tried to get the credit. My tax preparer made no mention of proof of purchase of equipment. I was denied because I made too much money.

 

[Pioneer74]

This is the only documentation that states anything about the provided EVSE. Maybe you can print out and highlight this part of the order guide, and provide it with a copy of your window sticker. But you shouldn't need it. It's on the bottom of page 8.

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...htning-order-guide-released-u-s-canada.11635/

 

[Zprime29]

You can search past tax discussions here. I don't recall anyone claiming the the tax credit for the bundled charging station. Sorry and good luck if you choose to pursue it.

 

[VTHokies]

there's also a location requirement for this credit as well... you need to have installed it in a low-income community census track or a non-urban census track. I was trying to claim it last year and since my charger came free with the truck (at least that's how I consider it since it wasn't on the window stick) was only planning on taking the credit on the install cost but I live in an urban census track so did not qualify.

check out this website for more info, https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/ev-tax-credits (scroll down and you'll see the links for the charging infrastructure credits)

 

[TaxmanHog]

 

[Hyperiate]

The only way to get a credit for equipment here would be to sell the "free" charger and purchase a replacement. Keep in mind that the equipment needs to be NEW, so you'd need to purchase it from Ford or an authorized dealer, not off ebay.

If you then installed the replacement that you paid for, you can deduct a third of the cost (subject to other qualifications). In this case it's, at best, a wash - you can sell a CSP on ebay for about $800 but then you'd have to buy the replacement for ~$1500 (after tax and shipping). You'd be able to deduct $500 of that so the cost to you is $1,000. You made $800 off the old unit to spend $1k out of pocket on the new one for a net loss of $200 and a bunch of hassle. If you bought a lower cost replacement, like a $400 Emporia, then you'd come out ahead -- make $800 off the CSP, spend $400 on the Emporia, and get $130 back on that in credit. You'd end up with a 48A charger (not an 80A) and $530 in your pocket.

If you can't prove the specific cost of the equipment you installed then it's not something you can claim -- for example, if you gave up a $2k rebate for the Power Promise install, you can't value the Power Promise install at $2k because of that choice. It needs to be a direct cost and it needs to be documented.

 

[Al_V]

Not sure if this helps because they say the charger and installation is "complimentary."


Complimentary Home Charger

With the Ford Power Promise you can receive a complimentary Ford Charge Station Pro when you purchase or lease a Ford electric vehicle.* Get the power you need to charge right at home.
Find Your Ford EV

Complimentary Standard Installation

We’ve partnered with Qmerit to provide new electric vehicle customers with a complimentary, professional install service.* Now installing your home charger is a breeze.



https://www.ford.com/electric/ev-home-charging-benefits/

 

[luebri]

I tried to get the credit. My tax preparer made no mention of proof of purchase of equipment. I was denied because I made too much money.

there's also a location requirement for this credit as well... you need to have installed it in a low-income community census track or a non-urban census track.

This crap triggers me so much. If the lawmakers that made these laws in an effort to push EV adoption to help reduce purported negative impacts on the climate of ICE vehicles how do they square this crap?

Seriously say it out loud and make it make sense!

1) You make too much money... so you dont get credit for helping to "save the planet" by building out EV infrastructure.

2) You live in wrong type of community... so we dont want to help you "save the planet" with a install credit.

3) ...and my favorite. A $79,999 truck helps save the planet and should get a Tax credit, but a $80,001 truck apparently does not help save the planet, so not credit!?!?

 

[RickLightning]

The only way to get a credit for equipment here would be to sell the "free" charger and purchase a replacement. Keep in mind that the equipment needs to be NEW, so you'd need to purchase it from Ford or an authorized dealer, not off ebay.

If you then installed the replacement that you paid for, you can deduct a third of the cost (subject to other qualifications). In this case it's, at best, a wash - you can sell a CSP on ebay for about $800 but then you'd have to buy the replacement for ~$1500 (after tax and shipping). You'd be able to deduct $500 of that so the cost to you is $1,000. You made $800 off the old unit to spend $1k out of pocket on the new one for a net loss of $200 and a bunch of hassle. If you bought a lower cost replacement, like a $400 Emporia, then you'd come out ahead -- make $800 off the CSP, spend $400 on the Emporia, and get $130 back on that in credit. You'd end up with a 48A charger (not an 80A) and $530 in your pocket.

If you can't prove the specific cost of the equipment you installed then it's not something you can claim -- for example, if you gave up a $2k rebate for the Power Promise install, you can't value the Power Promise install at $2k because of that choice. It needs to be a direct cost and it needs to be documented.

I laughed when I read this.

Sold my Ford CSP for $1,000.
Bought my 2nd JuiceBox for $608.44, plus assorted connectors, call it $640.
Got a $500 rebate from my utility for the purchase.
Installed it myself, because it was just changing 2 wire connectors to 3 wire connectors (sharing a circuit).
Tax credit for 30% of $140.
Net cost of 2nd charger - profit of $902.

 

[jimfigler]

You shouldn't need a receipt for the purchase of the device if you're trying to get the installation credit. You don't get a credit on the equipment, only the installation.

I tried to get the credit. My tax preparer made no mention of proof of purchase of equipment. I was denied because I made too much money.

It's not actually that you made too much money. It has to do with an "alternative minimum tax" calculation. I tried to claim the charger credit the same year as I claimed the truck credit back in 2022 and was denied but then bought a new charger 2023 and that one went through. I made more in 2023 than 2022.

Alternative minimum tax (AMT) is a tax system that runs parallel to the standard tax system but has different tax rates. AMT payers, who generally have relatively high incomes, essentially calculate their income tax twice — under regular tax rules and under AMT rules — and then pay the higher amount owed.
AMT calculations limit certain breaks for some taxpayers so that their tax bill is higher.

 

[RickLightning]

In 2023, everyone could take the charging equipment tax credit. In 2024, it is LOCATION DEPENDENT.

And yes, the AMT can impact that.

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