Do I get a tax credit for installing a 220V car charger at home?

[mscstc007]

But when I enter the amount for this 8911 form, it didn't show any dollar amount in the form and did not apply any tax credits. Does anyone know why? Thanks!

[robbiejd]

There is still a glitch with form 8911 where those with a legitimate credit owed and verified total tax > 0 are still only showing $0!

I can't file until this is resolved. TT - What's going on, and what's the ETA on the fix?

[VictoriaD75]

What version of the software are you using?

There are questions regarding the calculation of the Form 8911, Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit and who qualifies for the personal part of this credit. The most common reason taxpayers do not qualify for this credit is that the calculation of regular tax after credits compared to Tentative Minimum Tax results in the credit being disallowed based on the amounts in the taxpayer(s) return. This is due to IRS instructions for this form.

The Form 8911 for personal installations is calculated based on certain requirements and calculations:

The following requirements must be met to qualify for the credit.

You placed the refueling property in service during your tax year.

The original use of the property began with you.

The property isn’t used predominantly outside the United States.

The property must be installed on property used as your main home.

The personal credit calculations are as follows:

Line 1 Cost of the refueling property  For personal use, skip lines 2-9.

Line 10 equals Line 1

Line 11 equals Line 10 times 30%

Line 12 equals $1,000   (unless you moved during the tax year and installed a refueling property at both residences, then the maximum is $2,000)

Line 14 is your regular tax before credits

Line 15 a and b are credits which reduce regular tax before the Form 8911 credit

Line 15c equals a and b total.

Line 16 is line 14 minus Line 15c (remaining regular tax after tax credits)

If this is zero or less, you do not qualify for a personal 8911 credit

Line 17 equals Tentative Minimum Tax

(Even if you do not have to pay Alternative Minimum Tax, the Tentative Minimum Tax is part of this calculation. Turbo Tax does this calculation for you.)

Line 18 equals Line 17 from Line 16.

If this is zero or less, you do not qualify for a personal 8911 credit.

Form 8911

Instructions Form 8911

[robbiejd]

Using turbotax online. @VictoriaD75  How can I see my form 8911 with my numbers associated with it? I printed my return (haven't filed yet) and do not see form 8911 attached. How can I view this form with my numbers with turbotax online?

[DianeC958]

If you have paid for your return when you go to the Print Center on the left hand side you can view or print your return.  Form 8911 should be part of the forms your can print or view.

@robbiejd

[robbiejd]

@DianeC958 I have paid for my return. Form 8911 is missing due to the credit being $0. I owe tax greater than the amount of this credit so it should not be equal to $0. It appears the turbotax logic used to calculate the credit is incorrect. Can you please have someone on the team double check this logic as the problem is widespread (from what I've read)

[AnnetteB6]

Can you please provide a diagnostic copy of your return with the incorrect calculation?  This will allow us to investigate this issue further.  

Using TurboTax Online, use these steps:

• Click on Tax Tools in the menu bar on the left side of your screen
• Click Tools
• Click Share my file with agent, then click OK
• Copy the token number and share it here

@robbiejd

[robbiejd]

606991

[AnnetteB6]

Thank you for sharing your diagnostic copy.  

After examining Form 8911 in detail, the reason you are not able to claim the credit for your charging station is related to Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT).  AMT is a part of the calculation for the credit claimed on Form 8911, whether your particular tax return is subject to AMT or not. 

There is a tentative minimum tax for AMT that is calculated in the background as your return is completed.  Form 8911 compares that tentative minimum tax to the net regular tax after certain other credits have been taken into account.  If the tentative minimum tax is greater than the net regular tax, then the Form 8911 credit is disallowed.  

Unfortunately, the instructions for Form 8911 do not specifically spell this out so that it can be better understood or explained.  

For your reference, here is a link to the instructions for Form 8911:  Instructions for Form 8911

@robbiejd

[mscstc007]

However, in my case, the Tenative Minimum Tax is >$1.5 k less than the regular tax. I qualify for all other requirements for the Form 8911. After I fill in the information of the charge station, I still didn't get the credit. Then what could be reasons? Thank you! 

[ThomasM125]

If you had an AMT, it would show on schedule 2, part I, line 1 of form 1040. Can you verify that you don't have an AMT by looking on that schedule, as follows:

1. Find the "Tax Tools" option on your left menu bar and click on it

2. Click on "Tools"

3. Click on "View Tax Summary"

4. On your left menu bar find the "Preview my 1040" option and click on it

Even you don't have an AMT, your credit can be denied if your tentative minimum tax is more that your net regular tax, as mentioned in the previous post. Your income tax as listed on line 12(a) may include additional taxes listed on schedule 2. So, you may have to take a close look at schedule 2 to determine what your net regular tax is.

If you don't have a net federal tax, that would result in your credit being denied for the current year, so you need to check that as well.

[mscstc007]

I checked it. I don't have AMT. My Tentative Minimum Tax is >$1.5k lower than the Regular Tax. It's shown clearly on the software. But I still don't see the credit from charge station. Please suggest what I should do. 

[SusanY1]

When working in the program (before you view the tax forms) is it displaying a credit amount there?

Something that looks like the screenshot below?  Then nothing transfers to Line 13b on your Form 1040?

What number is on Line 16 of your Form 1040?  Which version of TurboTax are you using?

@msctsc007

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am using TurboTax Premier 2018 and also attempting to file an amended return. I added the amount to the deductions section but it only shows as 0 in the federal taxes section. Form 8911 in my version only shows all lines as "Reserved for future use". According to TurboTax, my software is up to date as of this post. What am I doing wrong?

[mscstc007]

Thanks all. I think I know what happened. For Form 8911, 15b asks for Certain Allowable Credits. We should compare the Net regular tax with the Tentative minimum tax, instead of comparing the Regular tax with the Tentative minimum tax. Hope this helps with other people's filling.