In 2025, federal tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs) are available up to $7,500 for new vehicles and $4,000 for used, but only for purchases made on or before September 30, 2025. Following the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) signed in July 2025, these federal credits are slated to terminate, including the transfer of credits for dealer discounts.
Several of the most popular electric car models experienced steep sales drops in the fourth quarter of 2025, after setting records in the third quarter as car buyers rushed to take advantage of the $7,500 federal tax credit before it expired at the end of September 2025.
The "25k EV tax credit" refers to the Used Clean Vehicle Credit (IRC 25E), offering up to $4,000 (or 30% of sale price, whichever is less) for pre-owned EVs/PHEVs sold for $25,000 or less by licensed dealers, with specific income limits and vehicle/buyer eligibility rules, though this credit has now expired for most purchases after September 30, 2025, under recent legislation, notes this Consumer Reports article and this CNN article.
Only the interest portion of your car payment is deductible (not the loan principal). This tax deduction for vehicle loans is also temporary and currently applies only to tax years 2025 through 2028.
For vehicles acquired on or before Sept. 30, 2025, if you buy a qualified used electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) from a licensed dealer for $25,000 or less, you may be eligible for a used clean vehicle tax credit. The credit equals 30% of the sale price up to a maximum credit of $4,000.
You can claim 'enhanced capital allowances' (a type of 100% first-year allowance) for the following equipment, which must be new and unused: electric cars and cars with zero CO2 emissions.
As EVs get older, the batteries progressively degrade. It is expected that at around 75% of the battery's original capacity, it has reached the end of its life in an EV. In reality what this means is that if the car was sold with 400 km driving range, at the end of its useful life it could be down to around 300 km.
Federal electric vehicle (EV) opens in same window tax credits are officially coming to an end. Congress has passed legislation that terminates both the $7,500 tax credit for new EVs and the $4,000 credit for used EVs on September 30, 2025.
Under the new income tax regime for 2025-26, any taxable income up to ₹12,00,000 attracts a full rebate of ₹60,000 (under Section 87A), resulting in a nil tax liability.
See the IRS Clean Vehicle Credit and final guidance for more information. Taxpayers who purchase an eligible vehicle may qualify for a tax credit of up to $7,500. As of July 5, 2025, this credit is available for vehicles acquired on or before September 30, 2025.
You may qualify for a credit up to $7,500 under Internal Revenue Code Section 30D if you buy a new, qualified plug-in EV or fuel cell electric vehicle (FCV). The credit is available to individuals and their businesses. To qualify, you must: Buy it for your own use, not for resale.
Disadvantages of Car Allowances
Car allowances do not ensure coverage of all vehicle-related expenses. Employees bear responsibility for insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and other costs. Because the IRS treats most car allowances as taxable income, the take-home amount may fall short of actual expenses.
E.V.s tend to be pricier than comparable gas cars, but they have lower maintenance costs. And charging with electricity is typically cheaper than stopping at the gas pump. So an E.V. might save you money over time — even without the subsidies that the U.S. government used to offer.
The "25k EV tax credit" refers to the Used Clean Vehicle Credit (IRC 25E), offering up to $4,000 (or 30% of sale price, whichever is less) for pre-owned EVs/PHEVs sold for $25,000 or less by licensed dealers, with specific income limits and vehicle/buyer eligibility rules, though this credit has now expired for most purchases after September 30, 2025, under recent legislation, notes this Consumer Reports article and this CNN article.
The tax credit, passed by the Biden administration in 2022 to support EVs, is going away Wednesday as part of President Donald Trump's broad spending and tax bill.
The IRS allows taxpayers to deduct up to $3,000 of realized investment losses ($1,500 if married filing separately) against ordinary income each year. This deduction applies only to losses in taxable investment accounts and must be realized by December 31st to count for that tax year.
The IRS doesn't have a specific dollar limit for hobby income; instead, it focuses on profit motive: if you intend to make a profit, it's a business, but if it's for fun, it's a hobby, and you must report all income but can't deduct losses. Key is that you report all hobby income on Form 1040 as "other income," and if net earnings from self-employment are $400 or more, you owe self-employment tax, even if it's a side gig. The main difference from business is that you can't deduct hobby expenses (under current law) and must report all profits.
The section 179 deduction allows taxpayers, other than trusts and estates, to elect to expense a specified amount of the cost of qualifying property purchased for use in a business. For tax years beginning in 2026 the maximum deduction is $2,560,000, (2025, the maximum deduction is $2,500,000).