As of January 1, 2024, people who buy or lease cars or trucks that qualify for the Clean Vehicle Credit (CVC) may transfer the credit to an eligible seller (usually a dealership). The transferred credit may be used as a down payment, or exchanged for a reduction in the vehicle price. Eligible vehicles include many fully electric cars and trucks (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and vehicles powered by fuel cells.

To transfer the credit, you must present a government-issued photo ID, and provide the seller with information including your current address and valid taxpayer ID number. You will also need to sign a certification of eligibility for the CVC, along with pledges to file a 2024 tax return and to use the vehicle primarily for personal (not business) purposes within the U.S.

In turn, the dealer must certify that the vehicle meets IRS standards for the CVC, and provide you with documentation of the date of sale, selling price and other vehicle information. Store these documents securely, as you will need to refer to them when filing your federal tax return for 2024. A tax professional can help you determine whether transferring a CVC to the vehicle seller would make sense for you.