strombo1 said:
Hi, I just got my Leaf on 1/17 and am still learning. LOVE the car! I got it from Martin Nissan in Skokie, where I believe I got a good deal but also have to say they really don't know about Leafs. Tom is a great guy though and never pushed me or did any kind of hard sell.
I still don't get the federal rebate. If you owe the IRS, will they apply the $7500 (or part of it) to your debt? If you are getting a refund, will they add the $7500 to your refund? We currently owe back taxes and I'm wondering how much we will get back next year. I know this topic has been discussed ad nauseum but for some reason I just can't wrap my head around it.
Also, the IL credit for installing an EVSE - if I have a friend pull the 240V to the garage and install the charger, will they still cover half the cost of the EVSE? Or do I have to use their guys to install it?
Assuming you bought the Leaf and are not leasing it, (dealer gets credits on a lease,) when you file your Federal Income tax forms in 2016, for the year 2015, that's when you will receive a $7,500 credit..(say you owed $30,500 in Federal tax, it would be reduced by $7,500 so you would end up owing $23,000. If you had already paid in $25,000 you would get a $2,000 refund or a credit to your 2016 taxes..which ever way you choose.
There is also a State of Illinois rebate that you have to file for. It comes back to you as cash, so it will show up as income for you in 2015. It was, (I'm not sure what it is now,) 10% of what you paid for the car, excluding taxes and fees,...not to exceed $4,000. My rebate was around $3,200 for a '13 SL. I've forgotten the exact amount.
You need to have a EV licensed/approved electrician to qualify for the EVSE rebate. Limit on it is $2,500.
It's really too bad the dealer didn't have a salesperson or staff person willing or capable of helping you with these questions and forms. For anyone whose listening, the Autobarn in Evanston has a sales person, (Martin,) who knows the Leaf like I knew my M1 in 1960. In my sleep, I could take it apart and put it back together again. He's the same with the Leaf. A year or so after I bought the car, the 110 volt handle wouldn't release from the car, so he came to my home and he released it. (The release mechanism in the gun had broken so it was replaced under warranty.) When I tried to compensate him for his time and knowledge, he wouldn't take anything saying, "service doesn't end with the sale, you are my customer."
Get your EV plates, not the regular ones. Hope your salesman did this correctly. For a period of time, many weren't.
Enjoy your Leaf. It truly is a magnificent vehicle!!
Hope this information has been helpful.
