Milan/Fusion Hybrid Gets $3,400 Tax Credit!

[Mercury Milan]

If you want to buy a new Milan or Fusion Hybrid then NOW is the time to order one. Full story below...

 

 

 

 

Word’s come from the government that the new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid are eligible for a $3,400 tax credit. Ford says this is the biggest federal tax credit a hybrid has received since 2005.

 

The Fusion and Milan hybrids were unveiled at the 2008 L.A. auto show. The Fusion Hybrid has an EPA rating of 41 mpg in the city and 36 mph on the highway. The Milan hasn’t been tested, but the two are mechanically identical.

 

That makes the Fusion Hybrid the most fuel-efficient domestic vehicle and the third most efficient overall, behind the 2010 Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

 

With an asking price of $27,270 for the Fusion Hybrid, Ford’s tacked a hefty premium on the fuel-sipper, especially compared with the naturally aspirated four-cylinder version, which starts at $19,270. This tax credit should go a long way toward alleviating any potential buyer’s remorse.

 

Is there a catch to the tax credits? Of course! The tantalizing $3,400 credit will be cut in half on April 1.

 

Being the largest domestic maker of hybrids, Ford has already reached the government’s threshold of 60,000 vehicles for tax credit eligibility. If you recall, Toyota went through the same thing with the Prius.

 

The credit will be cut in half after March 2009, and then in half again on October 1. On April 1, 2010, the automaker won’t get any more tax credits. So if you’re dying to get a new Fusion Hybrid, you should probably act sooner rather than later. However, the company hasn’t set a firm date for when the 2010 Fusion will go on sale, only saying it will happen in the spring. Which to us begins in March.

 

Ford’s tax credits:

 

2010 Milan Hybrid: $3,400 (Now-March 31); $1,700 (April 1-Sept. 30)

2010 Fusion Hybrid: $3,400 (Now-March 31); $1,700 (April 1-Sept. 30) link

[Grey]

The problem is getting one before March 31.

 

Very few will hit dealers before then. :banghead: :banghead:

[Mercury Milan]

I was under the belief that as long as you placed the order before April 1, 2009 you were good.

[Grey]

I just saw an article in the USA today that suggests you can get the full tax credit if you order before 3/31. How about that! :happy feet: :happy feet:

[Mercury Milan]

Do you have a link to that article? I just got back from the Ford dealership and according to the sales manager you need to take possession of the car to claim the tax rebate. He also said that while the Milan and Fusion are now being built, that he was told yesterday that the hybrids are being pushed back to the first week of April before they are being built. He said the hybrids wouldn't be in dealerships until late April/early May, depending on what part of the country you live in. This means that no one will be getting the 3400 tax credit, as the cars won't be delivered in time. Needless to say I was very upset when I heard this news. The government might as well be offering a million dollar rebate for unicorns. I was thinking of switching to buy a new Taurus instead, but he said those won't be in dealerships until late July/early August :(

[Mercury Milan]

Grey was this the article?

 

Does anyone know who to ask about the rebates at the government? I'm not about to rush and order a car now and then find out later that the rebate doesn't apply. Someone at the government level must know if people order the car now will they get the FULL 3400 credit or not...

 

i went to the government website but saw no place to submit questions.

[Grey]

I read it in today's USA Today paper. Slightly different than what is on line. But- I found this on the IRS site:

 

"Summary of the Credit for Qualified Hybrid Vehicles

Notice 2006-78 announced the credit phase out schedule for advanced lean burn technology vehicles and hybrid vehicles manufactured by Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. (Toyota and Lexus vehicles). For the period of 10-1-06 to 3-31-07, purchasers of qualifying vehicles are eligible for 50% of the allowable credit. For the period of 4-1-07 to 9-30-07, purchasers of qualifying vehicles are eligible for 25% of the allowable credit. The table below includes both the full credit and the reduced credit amount depending upon when the vehicle was purchased.

The date of purchase determines the amount of the credit available for a vehicle, i.e. whether a vehicle is eligible for the full credit or whether a portion of the credit is phased-out. The placed in service date determines the taxable year in which the credit may be claimed.

For example, if consumer A purchases a Prius on Sept. 30, 2006, and takes possession in February 2007, consumer A can claim the full credit for 2007, the year in which the vehicle is placed in service. "

 

This means that they consider the date of order the qualifying date for the credit. Year of possession determines the year to claim the credit. Prius credits dropped Oct. 1, 2006, but it states you can claim the full credit.

 

Have the dealer order the vehicle in your name. Get a copy of the DOR (Dealer Order Receipt) and keep it as proof that you ordered before April 1, 2009. It make take a few days to get the DOR.

 

If you are in the 25% tax bracket, the credit will save you $850.

[Mercury Milan]

OK thanks Grey! I just got back from the Lincoln Mercury dealership and they have a call into Ford to find out what they say about the tax credit. If I understand what you posted it means that if we order the car before April 1. 2009 that we will get the full 3400.00, but we won't claim it until NEXT years (2010) income tax. Is that correct? I was also on the governments site (fueleconomy.gov) and it was saying that a hybrid credit is not the same as a tax deduction. The credit does you no good unless you own them money. If that's the case then the credit will do me no good as we don't owe anything.

[Grey]

If you order before 4/1/09 and take delivery in '09, you can file for the $3,400 tax credit in '10 (for the 2009 calendar year.)

 

The Prius example was to make sure you did not apply for the credit before you took delivery (filing against the 2006 return and taking delivery in 2007.) Wish I didn't own them anything. :banghead: :banghead:

[bbf2530]

I was also on the governments site (fueleconomy.gov) and it was saying that a hybrid credit is not the same as a tax deduction. The credit does you no good unless you own them money. If that's the case then the credit will do me no good as we don't owe anything.

 

Hi Mercury Milan. :D Just concerning the section of your last reply that I quoted above: You are misunderstanding how "tax credits" and "tax deductions" actually work. A "tax credit" is better than a "tax deduction". A tax credit is deducted directly from your Federal Income Tax obligation. A tax deduction is simply deducted from your gross income.

 

A "tax credit" has nothing to do with whether you get a refund or have to send a check when you submit your taxes in April. A tax credit is directly deducted from your Federal Income Tax obligation for the entire year.

 

So essentially, unless you are unemployed (or very poor) and pay no Federal Income tax all year long, a tax credit will benefit you.

 

we will get the full 3400.00, but we won't claim it until NEXT years (2010) income tax.

 

And concerning the above quote: Technically, you will claim it on your 2009 Federal Income Tax Return, which you will be filing in April of 2010.

 

Good luck. :beerchug:

[FLLMustang]

A $3,400 tax credit is a great deal, the ADP however is not. Good luck finding a dealership willing to sell the car without a $5,000 mark-up. This is why my next car will not be a Ford.

[akirby]

A $3,400 tax credit is a great deal, the ADP however is not. Good luck finding a dealership willing to sell the car without a $5,000 mark-up. This is why my next car will not be a Ford.

 

Shame on Ford for building a car that lots of people want. They should go back to building crapmobiles that nobody wants so you can get a huge rebate.

 

Seriously though, I don't think you'll have any problem finding one at MSRP.

[Grey]

Ford has essentially told dealers to get in all the orders they can by 3/31 and they will deal with the balance of the production allocation later. Any dealer that tries to hold up a customer for more than MSRP is very short sighted.

 

This is a chance to make a customer very happy and not be constrained by allocation.

 

After April 1, the tax credit drops to $1,700 and the wait will be much longer as Ford schedules the pre-April 1 orders.

[Mercury Milan]

My dealer just called me. He said they will be getting these in this week :happy feet:

 

I can hardly wait :shift:

[PJFW8]

My dealer just called me. He said they will be getting these in this week :happy feet:

 

I can hardly wait :shift:

What part of the country do you live in? I'm curious if Ford will divert production to primarily the east and west coasts as previously rumored. I nervously wait in Wisconsin!

[Grey]

What part of the country do you live in? I'm curious if Ford will divert production to primarily the east and west coasts as previously rumored. I nervously wait in Wisconsin!

 

I believe that when Ford opened up the order bank, it was National. After April 1. they will re-evaluate the annual production run and again reallocate to the strong "Hybrid" markets. If you are verified, you should be fine. :happy feet: :happy feet:

[Mercury Milan]

What part of the country do you live in?

Northeast.. Other dealers around here are getting them too.

[PJFW8]

Northeast.. Other dealers around here are getting them too.

Thanks for the info! Looks good. I was verified on Oct 27. My dealer thinks May is a likely delivery month.

[Mercury Milan]

Don't be surprised if it shows up in April :)

 

Ford is running ahead of schedule from what my dealer told me.

[maison09]

Thank you so much for your informative posts. :happy feet:

 

maison de credit

[frankieboy]

Don't be surprised if it shows up in April :)

 

Ford is running ahead of schedule from what my dealer told me.

 

I agree. My FFH was due for production the week of 4/13. Instead, it began production last week, and was finished this week. It is through production now, and awaiting loading onto a railcar.