Problems filing due to SA-F8936 errors

[snlynch14]

I purchased a 2022 Tesla Model 3 from a local dealership, not from Tesla.

I was not given any documentation from the seller (Clean Vehicle Seller Report). I have called the dealership about this, but it sounds like they don't know what I'm talking about. 

The return has been rejected due to the 3 error codes listed below:

SA-F8936-030-01

SA-F8936-048

SA-F8936-047

The VIN is correct. I have the original sales documentation from the dealership, but nothing mentions clean vehicles anywhere.

My questions are:

1. The used purchase price says it has be under $25,000. Is that the purchase price before or after the sales tax is applied? The sale price was under $23,800 before sales tax.

2a. If the dealership never filled out the Clean Vehicle Seller Report after the sale was made, then am I unable to claim this tax credit? 

2b. Or can I provide a scan of the original receipt showing when I purchased the vehicle and for what amount? Can or will that suffice in this situation?

3.  I only followed the prompts when answering the clean vehicle credit portion of the return, I did not provide a separate form 8936 (or Schedule A). However, that is not what these error codes are telling me when I click "revisit" or "fix".

It's merely saying that something doesn't match, but then leaves me to figure out what that is.

VIN is entered correctly. Purchase date correctly. Purchase price before sales tax. 

I can see plenty of others are dealing with these error codes, but I can't find any answers on the forum for what I'm dealing with. 

Thank you in advance.

[Vanessa A · Accepted solution]

1. The used purchase price says it has be under $25,000. Is that the purchase price before or after the sales tax is applied? The sale price was under $23,800 before sales tax.  It is the price BEFORE taxes.  If your sales price was $23,800, that would be the purchase price that would be used to claim the credit. 

2a. If the dealership never filled out the Clean Vehicle Seller Report after the sale was made, then am I unable to claim this tax credit? 

2b. Or can I provide a scan of the original receipt showing when I purchased the vehicle and for what amount? Can or will that suffice in this situation? If the dealer did not fill out the paperwork at the time of the sale, then you are not able to claim the credit, currently, the original sales receipt showing the purchase will NOT be enough to claim the credit through e-filing.  You can print and mail your return with a copy of the proof of purchase to see if the IRS will accept this but current guidance says " For a buyer to receive a tax credit, sellers and dealers must report clean vehicle credit informatio..."

3.  I only followed the prompts when answering the clean vehicle credit portion of the return, I did not provide a separate form 8936 (or Schedule A). However, that is not what these error codes are telling me when I click "revisit" or "fix".

It's merely saying that something doesn't match, but then leaves me to figure out what that. The doesn't match is because your dealer either did not submit the paperwork or did not submit it properly.  You can contact the dealer to see if they did submit the paperwork and if so, what information they provided to the IRS. Did you receive a form from the dealer with the information to claim the credit or did you only receive the receipt?

[snlynch14]

Thank you for the detailed reply.

I am awaiting a response from the dealership about this. 

Frankly, others who are experiencing this problem may be dealing with the same issue. Simply that the dealership did not do that part, or at least did not give the buyer the documentation.

Thanks again.

[CRM7320]

I have run into this issue with the dealership. They told me that they just chose not to send in the Clean Vehicle Seller Report because they wete unsure if the vehicle was able to qualify for the deduction. I got them to finally submit the Clean Vehicle Seller Report on January 28, original sale date was 04/30/2025. Is this sufficient? And how long does it take for the IRS to recognize the paperwork?

[RogerD1]

According to information from the IRS, the Clean Vehicle Seller Report is to be submitted within 3 days according to this IRS website.

From that website:  "For eligible clean vehicles acquired before Sept. 30, 2025, you must submit all reports through IRS Energy Credits Online within 3 calendar days of the date the buyer takes possession of the vehicle."

While the IRS does state that the reports need to be submitted withing 3 calendar days, they do state that it is possible to submit a "corrected" report after those 3 days.

General guidance is to wait at least 15 days for the IRS to process electronically filed forms, however, that amount of time could increase during peak filing season times.