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11/1/2023

U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Open Registration for Car Dealers to Receive Direct Tax Credit Payments to Exp…

U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Open Registration for Car
Dealers to Receive Direct Tax Credit Payments to Expand Access
to Clean Vehicles, Help Car Dealers Grow Businesses
November 1, 2023

Starting in January Inflation Reduction Act Provision Will Allow Consumers to Transfer Credit
to Car Dealer, Reducing Purchase Price of New and Previously Owned Clean Vehicles at Time
of Sale, Car Dealers Must Register with IRS to Receive Payments
WASHINGTON – As part of Bidenomics and the Biden-Harris Administrationʼs Investing in
America agenda, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
today began allowing car dealers to register for the IRS Energy Credits Online portal. This is a
key step in implementing a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act that will lower costs for
consumers and help car dealers grow their businesses by increasing access to tax credits at
point of sale for new and previously owned clean vehicles.
Researchers have found that consumers overwhelmingly prefer an immediate rebate at point
of sale. Starting January 1, 2024, consumers will be able to choose to transfer their new clean
vehicle credit of up to $7,500 and their previously owned clean vehicle credit of up to $4,000
to a registered car dealer. This provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will e ectively
lower the vehicleʼs purchase price by providing consumers with an upfront down payment on
their clean vehicle at the point of sale, rather than having to wait to claim their credit on their
tax return the next year. Only vehicles purchased under the consumer clean vehicle credits are
eligible for this benefit.
The new Energy Credits Online portal will allow registered dealers to submit clean vehicle
sales information to the IRS and promptly receive payment for transferred credits. Dealers will
also use Energy Credits Online to submit “time of sale” reports, which will confirm vehiclesʼ
eligibility for a credit, whether or not the buyer chooses to transfer the credit to the dealer.
Energy Credits Online demonstrates the IRSʼ commitment to delivering a world-class
customer service experience and helping taxpayers receive the credits and deductions they
are eligible for. A modern tax administration system is key to achieving the economic, energy
security, and climate goals of the Inflation Reduction Act.
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“President Bidenʼs Investing in America agenda is focused on lowering transportation costs
for consumers and giving American auto dealers, workers, and companies the tools they need
to lead the world on the next generation of vehicles,” said Chief Implementation O icer for
the Inflation Reduction Act Laurel Blatchford. “For the first time, the Inflation Reduction Act
allows consumers to reduce the up-front cost of a clean vehicle, expanding consumer choice
and helping car dealers grow their businesses. The IRS has focused on streamlining this
process for car dealers as part of its commitment to improving service and helping taxpayers
claim credits they are eligible for. With the opening of Energy Credits Online, Treasury is
ramping up its outreach to car dealers to ensure they are aware of this new opportunity to
bring in new customers.”
When a buyer chooses to transfer the credit, registered dealers will reduce the purchase price
of the vehicle or provide cash to the buyer. The amount provided must equal the full amount
of the credit available for the eligible vehicle. When completing the sale, the dealer will
electronically submit information regarding the transfer, including a time of sale report, to
receive an advance payment for the value of the credit. The IRS expects to issue advance
payments within 72 hours.
To provide clarity and certainty, the dealer will provide buyers with required disclosures as
part of the credit transfer and electronic time-of-sale submission process and with written
confirmation that the vehicle theyʼre buying is eligible for a credit and the credit amount.
Guidance released on October 6

proposed rules regarding who is eligible to elect to

transfer the credit to the dealer, and under what circumstances these taxpayers may have to
pay back some of the transferred credit. This guidance also would include important
safeguards to help prevent fraud or abuse, ensuring that only verified, tax-compliant dealers
get the benefit of advance payments from the IRS, and that only eligible vehicles get the
benefit of the credit. Specifically, under these proposed rules the IRS would collect and verify
information received from the dealer during the Energy Credits Online registration process. A
registration ID would be provided to the dealer only once the IRS is confident in the
registrationʼs validity.
The guidance would also provide clarity regarding federal income tax treatment of the
transferred credit and advance payment for the buyer and the dealer. Under the proposed
rules, credit transfers and advance payments would generally not a ect dealersʼ tax liability.
Payment of the value of the transferred credit by the dealer to the consumer would be

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treated as repaid by the consumer to the dealer as part of the purchase price of the vehicle,
and therefore be treated as an amount realized by the dealer.
Advance payments received by the dealer would not be treated as a tax credit to the dealer
and may exceed the dealerʼs regular tax liability. Advance payments received by the dealer
would not be includable in the gross income of the dealer. The payment made by the dealer to
the consumer in exchange for the transferred credit would not be deductible by the dealer.
The payment made by the dealer to the consumer (in the form of a cash payment, down
payment, or partial down payment) would also not be includable in the gross income of the
consumer.
Treasury will make fact sheets, FAQs, checklists and other materials for consumers and
dealers available before the end of the year to help all parties take advantage of this
important benefit. Treasury will also partner with external organizations on stakeholder
outreach and webinars to raise awareness.
For a full list of the Treasury Departmentʼs work to implement the Inflation Reduction Act, see
below:
August 16, 2022: Treasury Releases Initial Information on Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Under
Newly Enacted Inflation Reduction Act
October 5, 2022: Treasury Seeks Public Input on Implementing the Inflation Reduction Actʼs
Clean Energy Tax Incentives
FACT SHEET: Treasury, IRS Open Public Comment on Implementing the Inflation Reduction
Actʼs Clean Energy Tax Incentives
October 26, 2022: READOUT: Stakeholder Roundtable on Clean Power Generation and the
Inflation Reduction Act
October 27, 2022: READOUT: Stakeholder Roundtable on Climate Impact, Equity, and the
Inflation Reduction Act
FACT SHEET: Four ways the Inflation Reduction Actʼs Tax Incentives Will Support Building an
Equitable Clean Energy Economy
October 31, 2022: READOUT: Stakeholder Roundtable on Investor Perspectives on Climate
Change, Clean Energy, and the Inflation Reduction Act
November 3, 2022: Treasury Seeks Public Input on Additional Clean Energy Tax Provisions of
the Inflation Reduction Act
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November 4, 2022: READOUT: Stakeholder Roundtable on Clean Vehicles and the Inflation
Reduction Act
November 29, 2022: Treasury Announces Guidance on Inflation Reduction Actʼs Strong Labor
Protections
December 12, 2022: Treasury and IRS set out procedures for manufacturers, sellers of clean
vehicles
December 19, 2022: Treasury, IRS issue guidance on new Sustainable Aviation Fuel Credit
December 22, 2022: IRS releases frequently asked questions about energy e icient home
improvements and residential clean energy property credits
January 17, 2023: Remarks by Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo at White House
event “Lowering Costs: Inflation Reduction Act Briefing”
January 29, 2023: Statement from Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo on
Implementation of Strong Inflation Reduction Act Worker Protections
February 3, 2023: Treasury Updates Vehicle Classification Standard for Clean Vehicle Tax
Credits Under Inflation Reduction Act
February 13, 2023: Treasury, Energy Release Guidance on Inflation Reduction Act Programs to
Incentivize Investments in Underserved Communities, Hard-Hit Coal Communities
March 22, 2023: Remarks by Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy Lily Batchelder on
Implementation of the Inflation Reduction Actʼs Clean Energy Provisions
March 31, 2023: Treasury Releases Proposed Guidance on New Clean Vehicle Credit to Lower
Costs for Consumers, Build U.S. Industrial Base, Strengthen Supply Chains
April 4, 2023: Treasury Releases Guidance to Drive Investment to Coal Communities
April 14, 2023: READOUT: Treasury Convenes Roundtable Discussion on Inflation Reduction Act
Incentives for Underserved Communities
April 27, 2023: READOUT: Treasury Department Convenes Roundtable Discussion on Inflation
Reduction Act Incentives for Underserved Communities
May 12, 2023: Treasury Department Releases Guidance to Boost American Clean Energy
Manufacturing

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May 31, 2023: U.S. Departments of Treasury and Energy Release Additional Guidance on
Inflation Reduction Act Programs to Incentivize Manufacturing and Clean Energy Investments
in Hard-Hit Coal Communities
June 14, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Guidance on Provisions to Expand
Reach of Clean Energy Tax Credits Through President Bidenʼs Investing in America Agenda
June 15, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Updated Guidance to Drive
Additional Investment to Energy Communities
August 4, 2023: Home energy audits may qualify for an Energy E icient Home Improvement
Credit
August 7, 2023: IRS: Builders of qualified new energy e icient homes might qualify for an
expanded tax credit under Section 45L
August 10, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Final Rules and Guidance on
Investing in America Program to Spur Clean Energy Investments in Underserved Communities
August 29, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Guidance on Inflation
Reduction Act Provision to Ensure Good-Paying Clean Energy Jobs, Expand Clean Energy
Workforce
September 27, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Energy, IRS
Announce Date for Opening of Applications for Investing in America Program to Spur Clean
Energy Investments in Underserved Communities
September 27, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Guidance to Lower
Americans Utility Bills, Increase Energy E iciency of Homes
October 6, 2023: U.S. Department of the Treasury, IRS Release Guidance to Expand Access to
Clean Vehicle Tax Credits, Help Car Dealers Grow Businesses
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