Missed the Deadline? You Can Still Claim the Federal EV Tax Credit

If you thought September 30 was your last chance to get the advantage of the federal EV tax credit, there is good news. You might still qualify. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), some buyers can still claim up to $7,500 in savings on their electric vehicles, even if their car arrives after the official deadline.

Originally, the rules seemed simple: take delivery of your EV before September 30 to receive the credit. However, the IRS has now clarified that a written binding contract and payment made on or before September 30, 2025, will lock in the eligibility. That means it’s not mandatory to drive your new EV home before the date of cutoff. What you need is to only finalize the deal.

In practice, it means that if you purchase an EV and pay upfront by September 30, you can still claim the tax credit when you eventually take delivery. The IRS also requires that customers receive a “time of sale” report from the dealer. It can be either at the time they pick up the vehicle or within three days of receiving it.

This loophole could benefit car buyers waiting on backordered vehicles or models that won’t be available until late 2025 or even 2026. If the buyer has signed the contract and made a payment before the deadline, it means the credit should still apply.

For automakers, this rule is, undoubtedly, a great opportunity to keep sales strong through the end of September. And for buyers, it is another chance to save thousands of dollars on an EV.

So, while the official deadline is near, the window to claim the federal EV tax credit may be a lot wider than it first appeared.