Cash for Clunkers Tax Rules – The Truth

by MoneyNing · 7 comments

Cash for Clunkers tax rules have been falsely rumored by many people on the Internet and I want to clear it up for anyone who already took advantage of this program. The truth is that the Cash for Clunkers income is not taxable. It doesn’t matter if you received $3,500 or $4,500 and this program is not a backdoor way for the government to collect tax revenue (as some suggested).

The official Cash for Clunkers FAQ at cars.gov states:

Is the credit subject to being taxed as income to the consumers that participate in the program?

NO. The CARS Act expressly provides that the credit is not income for the consumer.

Noticed “NO” in capital letters?

So if you recently purchased your shiny new car with this program, rest assured that you won’t be stuck with a higher than normal tax bill when you file your taxes next year.

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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

Jodi August 28, 2009 at 10:45 am

I can’t believe people are spreading these tax rumors. I guess people will do anything for money. I wonder if there will be commercials with some bimbo claiming that they are Cash for Clunkers Tax Consultants. I really hope not and thanks for letting us know!

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zeke August 28, 2009 at 1:23 pm

these same folks that took advantage of this deal are the same folks that are in this housing mess. should of thought this program out just a little more.

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Jon August 28, 2009 at 8:35 pm

The car dealers are still running ads after the rebate program stopped. The truth is the car dealers would have come off the price of the cars without any rebates. Another government bailout that should have never happened. This reckless spending by the government is what put us in the crisis were in now. The top 10 cars bought and 8 of them are foreign made. China, Japan, Korea, and Mexico and other countries should send a thank you card to Obama for helping their automakers out. ‘Spending someone elses money is a great idea until it runs out”.

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Banking Deals August 29, 2009 at 7:39 am

I think on the Federal side, you are safe.

But I think I’ve read it somewhere you might be liable for the state income tax, can’t be sure.

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Greg August 29, 2009 at 7:15 pm

Why in the world would anybody trust anything our government would say?

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marlin August 30, 2009 at 6:08 am

what it actually says on the govt.cars website is. the use of the term “rebate”in the name NHTSA has chosenfor the program is NOT INTENDEDto have any effect on how CARS transactions are treated understate or federaltax laws.The CARS act provides that the credit is not income to the purchaser, but does not address anyother possible tax issues.
you should be a politician your great at telling half truths.

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RB @ Financial Samurai September 6, 2009 at 5:54 pm

I’m just so glad the Cash For Clunkers program is done.

Cars is the biggest setback for people’s personal finances in their 20’s. Such a waste of money. Please everyone follow my 1/10th rule.

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