U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Vehicle Technologies Office

Fact #304: January 26, 2004
Hybrid Vehicle Purchases Earn Federal Tax Deductions

Purchasers of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), such as the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Toyota Prius, earn a federal tax deduction. Though the deduction is a fixed dollar amount for a given year, the actual value of this deduction varies depending on the purchaser's tax bracket. The deduction was calculated to be worth $500 if you purchased a HEV in 2003 and you are in the 25% tax bracket. The deduction for the purchase of a HEV in 2004 is lower than the previous year.

Value of the Federal Tax Deduction for
Purchasing a Hybrid Electric Vehicle
Graph showing the value of the federal tax deduction for purchasing a hybrid vehicle in 2003 and 2004.

Supporting Information

Tax Bracket Year Vehicle Purchased
2003 2004
10% $200 $150
15% $300 $225
25% $500 $375
28% $560 $420
33% $660 $495
35% $700 $525

Source: USA Today, "Going green with car can save you some green at tax time," January 13, 2003, p. 4B.

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