Ford Dealership trying to screw me over on the EV Tax credit. I am afraid they are trying to pocket the credit.

[Timoman3]

I am already kicking myself for dealing with this terrible dealership but I bought the last 2024 model that was built in the US specifically how I wanted it and they had it so I bought the truck. I had the D plan and 0% interest applied to the truck so I already got a great deal on it but the tax credit would have made it even better. When I was looking at the ford website they said the tax credit applied to that specific model as well.

So I bought the truck back in august and they refused to give me a point of sale credit so I just said screw it and ill file it on my taxes and failed to get the time of sale report from them. So I get around to doing it and I have been fighting with them to try and get proof that the IRS didn't accept it and its not eligible or for them to give me the time of sale report.

Now the big hookup that this dealership has is that they don't believe the vehicle qualifies because it is over 80k. However this was one of those models that was on the edge and the destination charge put it over. The IRS clearly states that the destination charges are not included in the MSRP of the vehicle so this puts it under the 80k limit.

I talked to a ford customer service rep today and they verified that my VIN is eligible for the tax credit and that they are sending me a "battery capacity report" (which I have never heard of) and that in 1 or 2 days they will provide me that report and I can use that to file with my taxes to bypass the dealership as like a proof of purchase and ownership. One funny note is that the ford customer service agent called the dealership "ignorant" and "illiterate" for not being able to understand the tax credit properly.

So I at this point I am waiting on ford to send me that document. I am also trying to get back with the dealership and talk to them further about this issue however they have stopped responding to me which is concerning.

I am thinking at this point 1 of 3 things have happened

1. The dealership is ignorant and isn't willing to work with me on this issue and doesn't want to be wrong or
2. The dealership doesn't have access to the IRS portal/ never signed up for it and are trying to hide that from more or worst case,
3. They are pocketing the credit and lying to me saying its not eligible and were trying to get one over on a uninformed customer. However I'm not sure if they are able to actually do such of thing. But I have a few reasons why I am leading towards this being the case.

- The sales manager and another person from the dealership I have dealt with to try and get this resolved have become hostile towards me.

- Originally I went through a different dealership to have them trade for it but the dealership refused to trade with them on the truck. (odd for them to not want to give up a truck that is not selling terribly well)

- When I tried to apply the D plan to the sale I forgot my birth certificate and they were refusing to apply the d plan even though they already had my brother's and they are easily able to void it if I was lying to them. They tried to get me to sign on paper work that didn't include the D plan and I refused and that got them to finally accept the D plan. So this part was already sketchy.

- When I showed the Sales Manager the wording the IRS gives for this specific situation he agreed with me then quickly changed his mind and said the destination charge is apart of the MSRP

- This is a big dealership in the south and I doubt they wouldn't be registered with the IRS for the tax portal as they have plenty of lightnings and Mach-Es when I bought the truck and also have plenty now as well.

- Another thing is why would they request a higher end model that would be harder to sell (especially in the south) if it wasn't eligible for the tax credit? Because if I remember correctly ford had like distribution centers to deliver a lightning whenever a customer wanted them versus them just sitting on lots. I remember the dealership right next to me had 2 lightings but both were either just over the 80k limit or way over and didn't sell for nearly 2 years. but the models under 80k did sell fine.

- My brother works at a different ford dealership (would have gone through him but they didn't have the exact model I wanted/couldn't find it any where else in the country to trade and is also nearly 1000 miles away) and his general manager is baffled at how they are handling this situation and also told my brother that my truck would qualify. My brother is now thinking it is a possibility that they pocketing the credit.

What do yall think about this situation? Do you think its possible the dealer is pocketing the credit? Will Ford's solution with the "battery capacity report" work?

I plan on calling the IRS help line tomorrow to figure out if they can tell me if the credit on my VIN has been claimed or not but I am not sure if its possible they can tell me that or even find that information out.

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[TaxmanHog]

1) They might be just that dumb............ @Ford Motor Company ya really need to start canceling franchise agreements on expiration or sooner if there is egregious fraud against customers and the MOCO!

2) Get your local consumer advocates in the media (TV & RADIO) to do a story on your situation if you think other unsuspecting customers are being duped out of the opportunity to enjoy the credit where it is applicable, they need to be ROASTED in the public's eyes.

3) If they applied for the POS credit and pocketed the funds, the event would show on your IRS online tax portal showing the credit claimed at time of sale, so NO they didn't do that.

 

[Timoman3]

3) If they applied for the POS credit and pocketed the funds, the event would show on your IRS online tax portal showing the credit claimed at time of sale, so NO they didn't do that.

I know this is far fetching and the dealer would be doing a major risk in doing such a thing but couldn't they just put someone else's information through the portal so I wouldn't even see it through the tax portal? I currently don't see anything related on my IRS tax portal. I would imagine nothing would show up unless they put my name on it.

 

[TaxmanHog]

I know this is far fetching and the dealer would be doing a major risk in doing such a thing but couldn't they just put someone else's information through the portal so I wouldn't even see it through the tax portal? I currently don't see anything related on my IRS tax portal. I would imagine nothing would show up unless they put my name on it.

That would cause a compliance reporting issue for the IDENTITY THEFT party, criminal investigation agents will be on their asses quickly !

Your SSN & NAME are included in the reporting mechanism

 

[Timoman3]

That would cause a compliance reporting issue for the IDENTITY THEFT party, criminal investigation agents will be on their asses quickly !

Your SSN & NAME are included in the reporting mechanism

So if they didn't even touch the IRS tax portal, shouldn't it show that I purchased an EV or would that not show up unless the time of sale report was done?

 

[TaxmanHog]

So if they didn't even touch the IRS tax portal, shouldn't it show that I purchased an EV or would that not show up unless the time of sale report was done?

If they made a report, they are stating you elected to transfer the credit to them or that you did not elect to transfer the credit, both scenarios create a record on your tax account.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Honestly, I think they're stupid missing a valuable mechanism to facilitate sales.

Pound it into their heads to get set-up, and start the process of "catching up" on unreported qualifying sales while the IRS has loosened 72 hour reporting window requirement, at some point they will clamp down on late reports.

 

[Django]

I am already kicking myself for dealing with this terrible dealership but I bought the last 2024 model that was built in the US specifically how I wanted it and they had it so I bought the truck. I had the D plan and 0% interest applied to the truck so I already got a great deal on it but the tax credit would have made it even better. When I was looking at the ford website they said the tax credit applied to that specific model as well.

So I bought the truck back in august and they refused to give me a point of sale credit so I just said screw it and ill file it on my taxes and failed to get the time of sale report from them. So I get around to doing it and I have been fighting with them to try and get proof that the IRS didn't accept it and its not eligible or for them to give me the time of sale report.

Now the big hookup that this dealership has is that they don't believe the vehicle qualifies because it is over 80k. However this was one of those models that was on the edge and the destination charge put it over. The IRS clearly states that the destination charges are not included in the MSRP of the vehicle so this puts it under the 80k limit.

I talked to a ford customer service rep today and they verified that my VIN is eligible for the tax credit and that they are sending me a "battery capacity report" (which I have never heard of) and that in 1 or 2 days they will provide me that report and I can use that to file with my taxes to bypass the dealership as like a proof of purchase and ownership. One funny note is that the ford customer service agent called the dealership "ignorant" and "illiterate" for not being able to understand the tax credit properly.

So I at this point I am waiting on ford to send me that document. I am also trying to get back with the dealership and talk to them further about this issue however they have stopped responding to me which is concerning.

I am thinking at this point 1 of 3 things have happened

1. The dealership is ignorant and isn't willing to work with me on this issue and doesn't want to be wrong or
2. The dealership doesn't have access to the IRS portal/ never signed up for it and are trying to hide that from more or worst case,
3. They are pocketing the credit and lying to me saying its not eligible and were trying to get one over on a uninformed customer. However I'm not sure if they are able to actually do such of thing. But I have a few reasons why I am leading towards this being the case.

- The sales manager and another person from the dealership I have dealt with to try and get this resolved have become hostile towards me.

- Originally I went through a different dealership to have them trade for it but the dealership refused to trade with them on the truck. (odd for them to not want to give up a truck that is not selling terribly well)

- When I tried to apply the D plan to the sale I forgot my birth certificate and they were refusing to apply the d plan even though they already had my brother's and they are easily able to void it if I was lying to them. They tried to get me to sign on paper work that didn't include the D plan and I refused and that got them to finally accept the D plan. So this part was already sketchy.

- When I showed the Sales Manager the wording the IRS gives for this specific situation he agreed with me then quickly changed his mind and said the destination charge is apart of the MSRP

- This is a big dealership in the south and I doubt they wouldn't be registered with the IRS for the tax portal as they have plenty of lightnings and Mach-Es when I bought the truck and also have plenty now as well.

- Another thing is why would they request a higher end model that would be harder to sell (especially in the south) if it wasn't eligible for the tax credit? Because if I remember correctly ford had like distribution centers to deliver a lightning whenever a customer wanted them versus them just sitting on lots. I remember the dealership right next to me had 2 lightings but both were either just over the 80k limit or way over and didn't sell for nearly 2 years. but the models under 80k did sell fine.

- My brother works at a different ford dealership (would have gone through him but they didn't have the exact model I wanted/couldn't find it any where else in the country to trade and is also nearly 1000 miles away) and his general manager is baffled at how they are handling this situation and also told my brother that my truck would qualify. My brother is now thinking it is a possibility that they pocketing the credit.

What do yall think about this situation? Do you think its possible the dealer is pocketing the credit? Will Ford's solution with the "battery capacity report" work?

I plan on calling the IRS help line tomorrow to figure out if they can tell me if the credit on my VIN has been claimed or not but I am not sure if its possible they can tell me that or even find that information out.

Please call the Finance Advisor who completed your paperwork.

They should be able to assist you with providing the IRS Form 8936 (Clean Vehicle Credits)
or at least provide you a copy of 30D

once you have your 30D certification for your qualified vehicle (EV), you can file Form 8936 to claim the Clean Vehicle Credit (previously known as the Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit).

Steps to File Form 8936:
Confirm Eligibility – Ensure your vehicle meets IRS requirements (e.g., placed in service in the tax year, has a valid 30D certification, and meets battery capacity/MSRP limits).
Obtain the 30D Certification – The manufacturer should provide this (usually via the dealer or IRS records).
Complete Form 8936 – Calculate your credit (up to $7,500, depending on battery capacity and critical mineral sourcing).
Attach to Your Tax Return – File with Form 1040 (individuals) or the appropriate business return.

New vs. Used EVs: The credit rules differ (Form 8936 is mainly for new EVs; used EVs may require Form 15400 for dealer reporting).
Dealer Reporting (2024+): Starting in 2024, dealers must submit seller reports to the IRS (for both new and used EVs).

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