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Prius Prime IRS Credit Certification - Please Help!

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by JJgrubs, Apr 22, 2021.

  1. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    Hello,
    I claimed a $4502 tax credit for my 2019 Prius Prime. I did not receive a "Manufacturer's Certification" for Form 8936 but read online no one seems to get these and they just use the VIN. Well, IRS got back to me saying I'm missing the Manufacturer's Certification to claim the credit. I called Toyota to see if they could help but they just said I talk to my tax accountant. I responded back to the IRS with proof of ownership and a screenshot of the IRS website showing they do in fact provide a $4502 credit for the 2019 Prius Prime but that Toyota did not give me such a letter.

    That wasn't enough, they just mailed back saying I still can't claim the credit. Does any one know what the next step is? How do I get this letter? I'm afraid if I just call the IRS, they will simply say "you don't have the letter you can't claim the credit, period". I am frustrated, any help would be GREATLY appreciated!
     
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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  3. RustyRaven

    RustyRaven New Member

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    When I bought my 2020 Prius prime, the dealer had not filled out the forms correctly for the certification. I brought it to their attention and they re-filed the certification. Once that was done everything worked fine. Check with your dealer to see if this is the case.
     
  4. PiPLosAngeles

    PiPLosAngeles Senior Member

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    I have filed three Form 8936s in my time and I have never even heard of a manufacturer's certification, nor has one ever been requested of me. The Form 8936 instructions suggest this is something the manufacturer provides to the IRS, not the taxpayer.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Ditto. Third Prime and never had to provide anything other than the VIN... as a matter of fact, TurboTax filled out the 8936 for me.
     
  6. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    Ok I need to call dealer then. This is helpful.

    @ all others saying that they didn't need one or instructions don't mention it: Yes, as I said in OP, I understand few seem to either get them or even provide them to the IRS. Turbotax also auto-filled 8936 for me. But presumably the IRS randomly checks tax returns and mine showed up and saw there was no certification. If they had randomly checked yours, you'd be in this same issue. I've seen others get the same problem (ex:) but haven't found it for a Prius Prime so was hoping someone else here had some insight.
     
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  7. PiPLosAngeles

    PiPLosAngeles Senior Member

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    The instructions say the manufacturer supplies the certification to the IRS, not the taxpayer. The only thing a taxpayer might be able to get, according to the instructions, is a copy of the IRS letter to the manufacturer acknowledging receipt of the certification and confirmation that the vehicle is eligible as certified.

    That not to say an IRS employee isn't asking for it, just that it's not a document the taxpayer has or is required to provide. Ask them to show you the section of the Internal Revenue Code, or the instructions for Form 8936, that establishes a requirement to provide a manufacturer's certification as a condition of rebate eligibility.
     
    #7 PiPLosAngeles, Apr 22, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2021
  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Thanks for the info. I haven't got my tax credit for the 2020 PP purchased last year. I have not heard from IRS yet, but this thread makes me think it may be hung up similar to OP's situation. Oh, well, I may have to give a call to IRS... not thrilled.:(
     
  9. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    Ok I understand what you mean. In my deficiency letter, they said I needed to provide this document to be eligible to claim the credit. Looking at the instructions, I agree the language is different since they don't say that you indeed need to provide it. However, the instructions do say "Generally, you can rely...".

    That "Generally" and "rely" are a bit scary as it might imply that for most, there won't be a problem as the IRS already has the necessary info. But perhaps in some specific cases, you need to work a little harder.

    Will call dealer first. Then IRS using this angle. Will update thread with results.

    Hopefully you will be one of the many people who didn't seem to have an issue at all!
     
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  10. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Delete duplicate
     
  11. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Delete duplicate post
     
  12. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    Not sure where your post went but to be clear, I don't think you're being condescending at all. I very well might have made a mistake and I appreciate that reminder, I'm just trying to fix the problem.

    The Form I submitted looks correct, and I meet all of the requirements. The deficiency letter was pretty clear that what they wanted was the Manufacturer's Certification that the vehicle meets the tax credit. Will have more info tomorrow on this for sure but certainly keep all ideas coming.

    I posted above a reddit thread where they managed to find the actual certification letter from Kia for the Nero. Does any one know where we could find that? A contact number from Toyota perhaps that knows this well? If I only I spoke to the correct person from Toyota, I know I could grab a hold of that document and make this easier.
     
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  13. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    IRS is still befuddled from recent events, but you'll get it all ironed out... hang in there!
     
  14. PiPLosAngeles

    PiPLosAngeles Senior Member

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    There's something missing from this story. Not having the manufacturer's certification is not a deficiency of form 8936 unless the IRS does not have a Manufacturer's Certification on file for your vehicle. Are you certain the VIN on the form matches the VIN in your windshield? It's rare, but there could be a typo on the documents, so make sure to check the actual vehicle VIN.

    The good thing is that the IRS has this document already, since they list the Prius Prime as eligible. File a Freedom of Information Act request for a copy of that document and then submit it back to them.
     
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  15. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    VIN looks correct, I've checked it like 5 times in all the paperwork haha.

    Fantastic advice on the second paragraph, I didn't even know about FOIA. I just submitted the request, just in case the dealership and then speaking with IRS directly, somehow fail.

    Very appreciative of the help!
     
  16. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    All right here's the update:
    - Called the dealership, they had no idea what I was talking about, even talked to a Financial Services Manager. Said to call Toyota USA.
    - Called Toyota USA (their general support, their branding team and even the financial services brand). Nothing. No one has any clue what this document is. They said to call the dealership (lol).
    - Called IRS, was on hold for 3 hours before I gave up. They're clearly slammed, maybe they have not even opened the mail I sent with the ownership info and IRS website screenshot showing the vehicle is eligible. I would find it strange they'd send me another letter, with the amount I need to pay, without at least checking their mail for my response to the initial letter though.

    So I'm just going to keep trying to call them for the next 4 weeks and eventually just mail back that I disagree with their decision. Maybe by then, the FOIA request comes through. Will update this thread when/if I eventually reach a resolution.
     
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  17. Washingtonian

    Washingtonian Senior Member

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    Just to clarify: You bought a 2019 model Prime in 2020 as a left-over new vehicle, right? And you are claiming it on your 2020 taxes. It could not have been sold to as a used car that someone else had already claimed the tax credit.
     
  18. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    I bought a new (from dealership) 2019 Prime in 2019 and claimed it on my 2019 tax returns.
     
  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Wow, so this is for last year's tax return (2019) which IRS is finally catching up to it? No wonder my tax return for 2020 which I submitted this year is still being processed after over two months.
     
  20. JJgrubs

    JJgrubs Junior Member

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    Yes, sorry that this wasn't clear. I didn't think it mattered for purposes of my question but in retrospect, I suppose it does show how behind they are. Really hoping they simply did not get to my mail and that eventually they will and then mail me saying that everything is fine. One can hope for a simple resolution like that right :)
     
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