Almost got my Prime, however I have a question before I pull the trigger

if he is getting the car by december 31, why can't he finalize deal and make delivery?

 

If I was still working, I'd make the deal, then review the dealer's advice. If it turns out to be BS, then greatly increase the tax withholding exemptions from my paycheck to make up for the delayed credit.

 

Hungry car dealers. End of the month and end of the year. Wants their commission check. I'd think about the color choice he has but act like the desired color is more to your taste. Pause and hesitate - like you're playing a part - because you are. Maybe convince him to convince himself how much he wants to make that current stock car disappear right away. You'd both win. Don't pay for any BS options they might decide to add, and certainly not vin-etch or fabric treatment. Good luck.

 

agreed. i'm just not sure of the tax rules, you want to be sure of course. otherwise, you will be waiting until 2019.
i'm sure it is in the u.s. tax code, hopefully, someone will post it.

 

agreed, you want it asap.

ask the dealer to show you the tax code.

 

I'm in a similar position. The Prime I ordered should be here between Dec. 31 and Jan. 4, but who knows? I need to buy it by Dec. 30 to get the tax credit this year. The salesman told me if they have it in their inventory, even if it hasn't arrived yet, I can purchase and take delivery later, and it counts as a purchase on the day you do paperwork.

I'll wait and see what happens. Probably it will be next week but anything can happen I suppose.

 

That is wasted effort. The dealer won't have any better information than we already do. The IRS does not have sufficient time to get any hardcopy updates out to anyone prior to Dec. 31.

And even if the dealership went online to get the very best information available this week, from either the IRS or from a Congressional website, that will do nothing to ease OP's fears of Cheatin' Ly'n Trump getting Congress to retroactively change it later. Though that won't stop me from possibly getting a Prime this coming spring, I believe it is unlikely for it to be repealed retroactively. This tax issue is now done, Ryan and others are moving on to other things.

 

Yes, you need to take delivery on or by Dec. 31st to claim the credit. Car and keys in your hand.

 

I agree. I ordered a car from her and had it shipped to Utah. Got everything I wanted and it arrived last week. Love the Prime.

 

Or come a bit North:

2017 Toyota Prius Prime Advanced For Sale In Napa | Cars.com

I’m sure the vintners up here would love another patron .

 

more than the keys, i think you want it registered. which means you have two more days, unless they are open over the weekend.

 

Links to the IRS web site concerning the tax credit for the prime:

New Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicles – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicles (IRC 30D)

Instructions for Form 8936 (2016)
Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit

 

Just remember, there is no spare in the Prime! If you get a flat you are beholden to a towing company and tire/toyota dealers to get you out of what would have been a 20 minute deal.

 

Found a key definition from an appropriate source:

Publication 463 (2016), Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses | Internal Revenue Service

So you would need to not only buy, but presumably also register and insure it and of course, most importantly, possess the car before you can consider it "in service." Otherwise it would not be "available for use...in a personal activity."

The more I think about it, I don't like the idea of purchasing it before it arrives anyway. What if it gets damaged in transit? Not very likely, but with such a big ticket item, one really shouldn't take a risk.

The OP should find the car he likes and just buy it. If you actually have more than one Prime to choose from, good for you! I only have the one. The dealer has none in inventory.