Why sign in to the Community?

  • Submit a question
  • Check your notifications
Sign in to the Community or Sign in to TurboTax and start working on your taxes
New Member
posted Jun 6, 2019 12:09:41 AM

Where in TurboTax do I claim an EV federal tax credit of $7500 advertised by a seller for 2018?

0 8 2662
8 Replies
New Member
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:42 AM

Define "original owner" ... The Person who's on the registration and made the purchase regardless if it was used 2nd hand or brand new? Or the absolute first person to ever own that particular car in the history of that car, ie the original owner bought the car brand new and drove it off the lot, every subsequent owner there after is by definition not the original owner. The language is so vague? I can't figure it out.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:44 AM

The "original owner" is the very first owner of the vehicle.  A person buying a used or second-hand vehicle is NOT the original owner.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:46 AM

Then can we at least agree, turbo tax should specifically ASK when reporting your EV car, did you buy it used? Between the legaleze on the IRS.gov site which specifically NEVER mentions "used vehicles" anywhere in the requirements or the law, and the vagueness of the turbotax intake questionnaire makes it seem like I should be trying to get my credit for a second hand purchase only noting for new cars when hitting 'learn more,' which is no small amount of cash to me at the moment...there's a very good chance alot of people could get hung up on things like that and unintentionally try to get a much larger refund than the law would allow, triggering unnecessary hassle or audits.

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:47 AM

Thanks Tom!

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:49 AM

For an energy-efficient vehicle tax credit 

  • Click on Federal Taxes (Personal using Home & Business)
  • Click on Deductions and Credits
  • Click on I'll choose what I work on
  • Scroll down to Cars and Other Things You Own
  • On Energy-Efficient Vehicles, click the start or update button

Or enter energy efficient vehicle in the Search/Find box located in the upper right of the program screen.  Click on Jump to energy efficient vehicle

New Member
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:51 AM

Thanks a lot! Although, it seems like the form is not available to the public yet.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:54 AM

Form 8936, Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit is estimated to be available on 01/31/19.

Level 15
Jun 6, 2019 12:09:55 AM

Be aware that the EV credit is only available to the original owner.