I contacted TurboTax support today to inform them about a calculation and logic flaw in the determination of eligibility of the 2025 EV tax credit. I want to ensure that this issue is highlighted fo...
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I contacted TurboTax support today to inform them about a calculation and logic flaw in the determination of eligibility of the 2025 EV tax credit. I want to ensure that this issue is highlighted for the benefit of the community as I do not have confidence that Intuit or TurboTax will take action to correct this issue in the software after my interaction with the support team.
Pursuant to IRS guidance in FAQ FS-2025-05 section 3 dated 8/21/2025, from IRS announcement IR-2025-86, linked below, the following text is clear about eligibility in a specific circumstance:
3. What effect does “acquisition” of a vehicle have on a taxpayer’s ability to claim a credit under sections 25E, 30D, and 45W?
Acquiring a vehicle prior to the termination date is an initial step, but acquisition alone does not immediately entitle a taxpayer to a credit. Sections 25E(a), 30D(a), and 45W(a) require the vehicle be “placed in service” to claim the respective credit (see IRS.gov for additional requirements). If a taxpayer acquires a vehicle by having a written binding contract in place and a payment made on or before September 30, 2025, then the taxpayer will be entitled to claim the credit when they place the vehicle in service (namely, when they take possession of the vehicle), even if the vehicle is placed in service after September 30, 2025. Taxpayers should receive a time of sale report from the dealer at the time they take possession or within three days of taking possession of the vehicle.
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/faqs-for-modification-of-sections-25c-25d-25e-30c-30d-45l-45w-and-179d-under-public-law-119-21-139-stat-72-july-4-2025-commonly-known-as-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-obbb
According to this, if a taxpayer enters a "written binding contract" and makes a payment on or before 9/30/2025, that taxpayer is eligible to take the credit even if the vehicle is placed in service after 9/30/2025.
In TurboTax, the user is only permitted to enter two dates, one is the "Sale Date" and the other is the "Placed in Service Date". If a user enters a "Placed in Service Date" after 9/30/2025 and enters a "Sale Date" before the expiration of the tax credit, TurboTax will determine the taxpayer ineligible for the credit and not apply the credit.
The "Sale Date" may be different than the "Written Binding Contract" and "Payment" dates on form 15400. TurboTax can and should honor IRS guidance by allowing the user to enter the "Written Binding Contract" and "Payment" dates reported on form 15400 so that TurboTax can accurately determine taxpayer eligibility for the EV tax credit in 2025 while being consistent and compliant with this clear IRS guidance.
Anyone else see this problem?