Utah clean fuel vehcile tax credits - how to get them

[John Mitton]

The following information is outdated.
Please click here (http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_Fuel_Tax_Credit.htm) for the official guidance from the State of Utah as to obtaining these credits

Always check with your tax adviser before making any significant decisions based on tax incentives! :)


Not all CNG vehicles brought into Utah are eligible for the maximum $2,500 tax credit.

Outdated section follows:
-------------------------------------------------------

Utah income tax law provides for a credits on CNG, propane, or electric vehicles of:
a) Fifty percent (50%) of the incremental cost of a new OEM vehicle minus any grant received, up to a maximum credit of $3,000 per vehicle registered in Utah, also

b) Fifty percent (50%) of the cost of equipment for conversion minus any grant received, up to a maximum credit of $2,500 per vehicle registered in Utah.

The vehicle must also meet the clean fuel vehicle standards of the Clean Air Act. Utah taxpayers may claim a nonrefundable credit on their individual income tax, corporate franchise tax or fiduciary tax returns for the purchase or conversion of vehicles that use cleaner burning fuels. If the credit claimed exceeds the tax liability for a taxable year, the credit that exceeds the liability may be carried forward for up to five taxable years.

Official state web site is here (http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_Fuel_Tax_Credit.htm).
FAQ's are here (http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_Fuel_Tax_Credit_QA.htm).

-------------------------------------------------------
Now, just how much of a credit should you put down on the income tax return?

Well, it depends on what it cost to get the vehicle to run on the alternative fuel.

For a conversion this is rather straightforward, since the cost of the equipment installed can be quantified by the shop that did your work. You generally should have no trouble spending $5,000 in tanks, high-pressure lines, etc. to max out at the $2,500 credit here. Note that for the Utah credit bi-fuel conversions are acceptable (the Federal credit must be dedicated CNG only). Also, you must have installed an EPA certified conversion and submit a copy of the EPA certificate of conformity to get your TC-40V stamped at the Division of Air Quality.

For an off-the-assembly-line vehicle, you need to make a reasonable assumption as to the "incremental cost" for the alternative fueling system was at the time the vehicle was manufactured. The Utah Dept. of Environmental Quality has suggested to some CNG vehicle owners that they use resources such as the following web site to determine this figure:


http://fss.gsa.gov/vehicles/leasing/afv2001productguide.cfm

(I have attached to this discussion post a PDF printout of the web page in case the web link ever goes away)

Examples:
CNG Crown Victoria's incremental cost in 2001 was $2,830, tax credit = $1,415
Bi-fuel Cavalier's incremental cost in 2001 was $5,406, tax credit = $2,703
Honda Civic GX's incremental cost in 2001 was $7,910, tax credit = $3,000 (max),
... however in 1998 the Civic's incremental cost was $4,500 for a tax credit of $2,250 (see post #9 below)

Our member lmlewis also posted this very useful bit of info for GM vehicle owners:

If you need to document your OEM or incremental costs for tax purposes try the GM Media Archive & Vehicle Invoice Collection. Stacy Lillard at "vehicleinvoice@gmmediaarchive.com" or (734) 462-5543 # 163 who can supply it for you. It costs $50.00.


-------------------------------------------------------

Step 1: Ensure the vehicle has not already taken the credit in Utah.

If you are purchasing a CNG vehicle from out of state you are probably going to be fine. However, it never hurts to check before you buy. The Division of Air Quality maintains a database of VIN numbers which have taken the credit so you can check with them by either phone, fax, or e-mail. I have found they turn around requests within 2 or 3 working days.

Contact info is here:
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.cgi?afdc/4758/0


Step 2: Get the vehicle registered in Utah.
This means safety & emissions inspection (all fuel types if you have a bi-fuel vehicle), state sales/use tax payment, etc. The usual DMV root canal procedure :rolleyes:


Step 3: Get certification from the Division of Air Quality.
Print out tax form TC-40V here (note that one form is required for each vehicle if you are like me and have multiple CNG vehicles):
http://tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-40v.pdf

... then take all the required documents as found here:
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r307/r307-121.htm

... and get your DEQ stamp of approval.


Step 4: File your income taxes
Do not include form TC-40V -- this belongs in a safe place in case you get audited (and rumor has it the Tax Commission loves to audit these types of credits!!!).

[Highmarker]

Hey Utah CNG vehicle owners...

I have heard from a few different sources that Utah is considering taking the Clean Fuel Vehicle Tax Credit (the $3000 tax credit for an OEM and the $2500 tax credit for a conversion) away. Please email/call your local state representative and voice your concern. They will listen to you.

[Highmarker]

When you get your tax form TC-40V back in the mail, make sure the DEQ signed and stamped it. When I got mine back, it was stamped but not signed. I called the DEQ and had them fax me a signed copy for my records. The DEQ representative told me that he frequently forgets to sign and stamp some.

[lmlewis]

I am a new CNG vehicle owner, and new to this site.
I purchased a 1998 Chev. Cavalier bi-fuel vehicle recently.
I have the TC 40V document.
How do I document the conversion cost for this year Chev?
Where do I got to get a document showing the cost for the '98.
I see the site for the 2001 Chev. Cav's...

Thanks for any help.

[Highmarker]

lmlewis,

Attached is a window sticker of a 2000 Chevy Cav with the CNG option. I am going to use this as my prove of cost for my 2001 Chevy Cav. You just take 50% of $5,935. Keep this window sticker for your records.

[cngf150]

Anyone have a window sticker or any idea of how to find one for a 2000 F-150 dedicated cng? I just bought 2 and I'm trying to figure out the exact value of the tax credit before the end of the year.

Thanks,

Greg

[Curtis]

Click on the PDF form at the bottom of the original posting in this thread. It is for 2001 vehicles, but will give you a starting point.

[spazntwitch]

Found these on the Energy.gov (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/vehicles_search.php) Web site.

Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicle Listings for Past Years:

2007 (PDF 122 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/my2007_afv_atv.pdf)
2006 (PDF 43 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/my2006_afv_atv.pdf)
2005 (PDF 64 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/my2005afv_atv.pdf)
2004 (PDF 68 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/my2004_afvs.pdf)
2003 (PDF 17 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/my2003_afvs.pdf)
2002 (PDF 80 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/wmodel_year2002afvs.pdf)
2001 (PDF 16 KB) (http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/wmodel_year2001afvs.pdf)


Now I just need to find guides for 1997 through 2000, since those are what my vehicles are.

[CNG Utah]

I'm also trying to compile all of the window stickers that I can find to prove the incremental costs of vehicles we sell. If anyone has any other window stickers or evidence of incremental costs, please post them here.

I'm putting them on our website here: http://www.cngutah.com/why.html

[Go CNG]

Does anybody know where we can get the incremental CNG cost of older Crown Vic's, like 1996?

[Go CNG]

I was finally able to answer my own question… and find a good website that list options on used vehicles.

intellichoice.com

There you can plug in year, make, model. On the left you select "options" and it will then tell you how much each option cost. That website only listed CNG as an option on a Crown Vic for the years 1996-2002. The retail price was the same for those years - $6165. However it also listed an “invoice” price from $5485 to $5487. Is it likely that a tax auditor would accept the retail/MSRP price? And what’s the difference between invoice and retail?

This website is similar to edmonds.com but I found intellichoice.com easier to use. It also tells how much the CNG option was on certain years of Cavaliers.

John, on your posting titled “Utah clean fuel vehicle tax credits - how to get them” you mentioned that the “CNG Crown Victoria's incremental cost in 2001 was $2,830…” What’s the source on that? I’m going to take a leap and hope I'm ok in claiming the whole $3000 tax credit on my ’96 Crown Vic.

[John Mitton]

Thanks for the heads-up on intellichoice. :)

The $2,830 comes from the 2001 AFV product guide as per the link in my top post (also made into a PDF attached at the end of my top post).
http://fss.gsa.gov/vehicles/leasing/afv2001productguide.cfm

The above link was provided to me by the Division of Air Quality, who I know cooperates closely with the Tax Commission on this tax credit. I think that if audited you are going to have a hard time convincing the state tax commission that the incremental cost was over $6,000 when your auditor is sitting across the table with the GSA info for other years of the same model showing $2,850.

[darress]

I've been checking out the GSA incremental costs that are listed in the link and they seem to vary quite a bit (on some vehicles) from the options costs listed on intellichoice.com. My 2001 f-150 for instance has a GSA incremental cost of $3475, but on the intellichoice options page it is shown as well over 7K (bifuel prep of $5995 and bifuel engine prep $1565-retail values). The 2001 Cavalier on GSA has an incremental cost of $5406 and intellichoice has cng provisions at $5935. Anyway, I don't know if the "incremental cost" is the actual invoice cost that would be found on a window sticker of the vehicle. It may be a government cost arrived at some other way.
Darress

[ttomisin]

I just order a copy of the invoice for my 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier from Stacy Lillar at GM Media Archive & Vehicle Invoice Collection. The information to contact Staacy has changed. Her new phone infomation is 734-462-5543 # 163.


If you need to document your OEM or incremental costs for tax purposes try the GM Media Archive & Vehicle Invoice Collection. Stacy Lillard at "vehicleinvoice@gmmediaarchive.com" or (734) 421-0273 x. 107 can supply it for you. It costs $50.00.

[John Mitton]

Thanks, ttomisin I updated the top post with the new number. Please scan and post the invoice when you get it.

[ttomisin]

Here is the receipt sent to me from GM Media Archive & Vehicle Invoice Collection. I removed the invoice and VIN infomation.

[taigacarol]

Anyone have the info on the 2003 Cavalier?
Thanks!

[Yroc]

How about any info on the Contours? They aren't on any of the lists and I can't find anything on them. There is no option for CNG on the intellichoice website for 2000 and the 1998 shows some really low number like $280. What's that about??

[taigacarol]

Anyone have the info on the 2003 Cavalier?
Thanks!

Anyone? Please :)

[John Mitton]

Carol,
If it were me I would just use the $5,935 number from the PDF file posted above for the 2002 model. If you are audited you have a good position to argue (the incremental costs never go down year over year anyway).

[taigacarol]

Carol,
If it were me I would just use the $5,935 number from the PDF file posted above for the 2002 model. If you are audited you have a good position to argue (the incremental costs never go down year over year anyway).
Thanks!! :)

[mayer4]

Are there any tax incentives for home refueling systems? federal or state?

[CNGfamily]

Are there any tax incentives for home refueling systems? federal or state?

Browse around a bit, info is posted elsewhere in this forum... the fed credit is $1K
http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind_fed.php/afdc/351/0

[Todness]

Anyone know what the incremental cost for a 1994 Crown Vic bi-fuel vehicle?

Thanks!

[CONEBOY]

Can anyone explain the difference between these columns and what price I should be using to put down on the TC-40V?!!

The only place I found my 2003 Ford F-150 DEDICATED longbed was in the posted "ford_afv_documentation.pdf" (attached to this post) The two higher costs seem possibly high. Am I looking at it wrong? It has these 3 columns:

AFV option price (msrp) = $7835
Ford AFV Incentive = $1500
AFV Option v. Gasoline (msrp) = $6335

***********

Just for grins I ran the value appraisal on edmunds.com. (also attached is this report) But is this the value of the conversion now? or when it was installed in 03'?

cng option:
trade-in = $1743
private party = $2039
dealer retail = $2557


fyi- for a 3rd opinion I couldn't figure it out on intellichoice.com, or at least it didn't give me any options to add cng.

Any help is appreciated,
thanks




.

[jcwall]

lmlewis,

Attached is a window sticker of a 2000 Chevy Cav with the CNG option. I am going to use this as my prove of cost for my 2001 Chevy Cav. You just take 50% of $5,935. Keep this window sticker for your records.

Hi Jared

I am trying to collect all the doc. to get the utah tax credit for my 2001 cavalier. Matt (the one in EPA) said we need to provide the doc. to show it is a OEM, do you know how to get it?

Thanks a lot

[Highmarker]

Hi Jared

I am trying to collect all the doc. to get the utah tax credit for my 2001 cavalier. Matt (the one in EPA) said we need to provide the doc. to show it is a OEM, do you know how to get it?

Thanks a lot

jcwall,

You can go to any Chevy dealer and ask for a vehicle build sheet. This sheet shows all the "codes" for your vehicle with reference to your VIN. On the sheet there is code (usually KL6) that says Natural Gas Provision.

[CNG Utah]

Coneboy, looking at intellichoice, the options list for the 2003 F150 didn't show the price of the dedicated CNG system, just the bi-fuel. It does show up on the 2002 though as $7,835.

http://www.intellichoice.com/reports/vehicleReport/vehicle_nmb/8934/section/packages/type/used/2002/Ford/F150

[jeepzz]

Great info on the IntelliChoice! :D
My 03 Sierra KL6 option: Bi-Fuel Prep, Compressed Natural Gas (invoice: $7,998) (retail: $9,300)

I guess I need to get my paperwork rolling since 2008 is coming to a close. ^
I'm lousy with paperwork so I might just take everything to a tax consultant, H&R Block maybe???

[Penam]

I need Help finding a Window sticker for a 1995 Dodge Caravan to prove the cost of the CNG option thanks

[jennco2005]

Hi Everyone,
I'm so glad I found a place I might get some help. We'd like to get the credit and I've got the form to fill out. I've figured out the incrimental cost part and I'm waiting until I know what my liability to the state is so I can figure the carryover. My question is, where on the Utah Tax form does the credit go? I could see a refererence to a TC 40W but not a TC40 V on the form. It does go somewhere on the Utah tax return right? Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is so confusing:eek: Thanks!!

[Luke]

TC-40 (individual income tax return - http://tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-40.pdf) line 25 is for Nonapportionable nonrefundable credits from TC-40A, Part 4.

Under TC-40A (http://tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-40a.pdf) Part 4 - Nonapportionable Nonrefundable Credits, Clean fuel vehicle credit is listed as # 5.

In the past, the taxpayer has retained the original stamped copy of TC-40V, but recorded the dollar amount on the return.

If you have questions on filling out forms, talk to your accountant.

[jennco2005]

Thank you so much Luke. It makes more sense now and I feel a lot better about filing. I appreciate it!!

[zmeikov]

Could you please let me know where in Utah I could go to have my vehicle inspected and stamped for State credit. I could not find and address on the DEQ web site.

Thanks

[Luke]

Form TC-40V is required to be filled out and mailed/presented to the division of air quality with appropriate documentation. The address is on TC-40V.

2008 TC-40V: http://tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-40v.pdf
2009 TC-40V: http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_fuels_doc/tc-40v_2009.pdf

Additional information can be found at the following site: http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_Fuel_Tax_Credit.htm

[johannadear]

I am seriuosly confused. I know that I must fill out the TC-40V and because I bought it before Jan 2009 I have to use the older form. What I am confused about is the demostration of eligibility. It says to show a Manufacturers Statement of Origin OR to have it inspected by an ASE tech. On this forum most people talk about getting the MSO. Wouldn't it be easier to get it inspected? Maybe that is just for me because I can't seem to find a MSO for a 1999 Honda Civic GX.

Am I misinformed?

[Luke]

Any Honda dealer should be able to get you a VIN-specific build sheet showing model/options/etc at no charge. The personnel at the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) are intelligent enough to know that the Civic GX is dedicated CNG vehicle; if your registration states the car is a Civic GX (would need to be titled that way) that may satisfy the DAQ. When in doubt give them a call - their number is on the TC-40V tax form


FYI. The GSA site has publications for model years 2001 - 2009 documenting CNG incremental costs. See link below:

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/pro...annelId=-24540

[sswens]

Has anyone been able to find 2000 year incremental cost information? Specifically for a 2000 Honda Civic.

[CNG Utah]

$4500 for a 2000 Civic. We have a window sticker posted here: http://www.cngutah.com/faq.html

[TheFarm]

I think the problem with using GSA leasing information, which it sounds like a lot of people are relying upon as their source documentation as to cost, is that it represents the difference in price that GSA (the federal government's landlord and vehicle source) charges when federal agencies lease vehicles from them - GSA. It does not mean that is what the actual cost was when they bought the cars and trucks from the car companies. If federal agencies had to pay the $5,000 to 8,000 additional cost, there would be very few managers who would do it. I would suggest a quick email to GSA leasing would resolve the mystery and lead to larger tax credits. That is why the stated leasing costs are so low as compared to involce pricing, even on invoices where the buyer was GSA. Hope this helps.

[nsps]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am looking into purchasing a CNG vehicle. I've read through the thread, but am trying to figure out how 2009 form differs from previous years (which most of the thread covers).

From what I can tell from the form, if I purchase a bi-fuel vehicle, the incremental cost is no longer the issue and the credit now maxes out at $2500, not $3000, taking 35% from the total vehicle rather than 50% from the incremental cost. What I'm unsure about, however, is whether line three refers to the vehicle's original cost, as the incremental cost used to, or to the price that I paid for it. Anyone know?

Thanks for the info!

[CNG Utah]

That should be the price that you paid for the vehicle.

There is a good FAQ page about the credits here:
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_Fuel_Tax_Credit_QA.htm#q1

This page also has some good info and number you can call if you have questions:
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/progs/view_ind.php/UT/4758

[nsps]

Thanks for the links!

That Utah FAQ still seems based on the old rules. I assume the rule about a vehicle only being eligible for the tax credit once remains, so I don't want to buy a vehicle whose credit has already been claimed.

[John Mitton]

The Utah Division of Air Quality maintains a database of VINs which have taken the credit. You can contact them via the links posted by CNG Utah.

[Highmarker]

FYI,

If your tax credit is carried over to another year, and the revision on your TC-40V form is 7/08, you don't need to resend it to the Division of Air Quality and have it signed/stamped again. Just continue to fill out the carryover information on the same form.

[Bruce Knorr]

I purchased a 2008 Honda GX but since I knew I would probably not be eligible for a Federal Tax Credit that tax year (because I took other credits), I neglected to process the papers for the Utah Tax Credit. Come to find out that I should have since I can carry the credit up to 5 years. I am now contemplating selling the vehicle and my question is this: Since I never took the tax credit, can I increase the selling price by $3,000?

Thanks

[John Mitton]

Hey Bruce, how is my ol neighbor? :)

The Utah tax credit stays with the vehicle until taken. It is down to $2,500 from the former $3,000 but yes, this does increase the vehicle value for a Utah buyer if you did not take it and want to now sell.
http://www.airquality.utah.gov/Planning/Mobile/Clean_Fuel_Tax_Credit.htm

With that nice Alpine School District station just down the road why would you want to part with the GX?

[Bruce Knorr]

Hey John,

I got my Utah gascard and have been using the Alpine School district pump for a few months (best pump in the valley!). Plus the Sinclair pumps (down by Geneva) have been greatly improved. So, lack of pumps is not the issue.

The GX has performed almost flawlessly since I bought it August of '08. I absolutely love everything about. It is without a doubt the best vehicle I think I have ever owned. Wish I had a fleet of them. I really hate the thought of giving it up.

The reason is financial. If my business doesn't start picking up, I will have to start liquidating assets. The GX is a valuable asset. If I ever did let it go, I would probably turn right around and buy another one (or two or three) once things got better.

What's the best way to sell a GX? Do you have a place in this forum for things like that? Obviously I would like to sell it within the state.

- Bruce

[John Mitton]

You can post it in the Marketplace forum.
Hope things pick up for you!

[Pclement]

FYI,

If your tax credit is carried over to another year, and the revision on your TC-40V form is 7/08, you don't need to resend it to the Division of Air Quality and have it signed/stamped again. Just continue to fill out the carryover information on the same form.

highmarker my parents are taking the credit on my car since they actually have to pay state taxes whereas I, being a student get my entire refund. They received a partial amount last year and I wanted to make sure they receive the final amount this year. You said that they just have to continue to fill out the carryover information on the same form? Can you go into a little more depth, I do recall filling out the form TC-40V rev. 7/08, but I don't think they had to submit anything with their taxes last year. Any help is much appreciated.

[Ctown00]

Well the tax credit for 2010 is only $2,500. But people will be comparing the price to what they could get it for new. So I would try selling it for something reasonable. I just bought a 2009 with 2k miles and got it for under $17k and the Utah tax credit hasn't been used yet. So good luck.

[Ctown00]

Well the tax credit for 2010 is only $2,500. But people will be comparing the price to what they could get it for new. So I would try selling it for something reasonable. I just bought a 2009 with 2k miles and got it for under $17k and the Utah tax credit hasn't been used yet. So good luck.

BTW Bruce, I would look at trying to use the tax credit and push to sell it in Colorado. They can get just over $6k in their state tax credit. They have the best incentives. That is where I bought mine from and why I got such a great deal.

[Highmarker]

highmarker my parents are taking the credit on my car since they actually have to pay state taxes whereas I, being a student get my entire refund. They received a partial amount last year and I wanted to make sure they receive the final amount this year. You said that they just have to continue to fill out the carryover information on the same form? Can you go into a little more depth, I do recall filling out the form TC-40V rev. 7/08, but I don't think they had to submit anything with their taxes last year. Any help is much appreciated.

Pclement,

They don't have to submit anything to the Divison of Air Quality to have it stamped. They just continue to fill out the "carryover" information on Line 10 in columns A, B, and C on their TC-40V form. They will still have to fill out TC-40A part 4 and submit that with their TC-40 form.