2025 Lariat - Federal EV Credit Help (Dealership claims it was denied)

[F150Redux]

I bought a 2025 Lightning Lariat today. MSRP on the sticker is $79,790.00, so under the federal EV credit maximum (even including the destination & deliver). The only option was the Mobile Power Cord ($600) which is obviously included in the MSRP on the sticker.

When they tried to enter it in the IRS portal they got some kind of error code on the first page. I want to say it was like "RC 300", but I can't be 100% certain. They took me behind the counter to show me it wasn't working. When I asked if they had tried another Lightning VIN they said no and then proceeded to try the other Lightning they had on the lot. I think it was an XLT (it definitely wasn't another Lariat). That one got past the first page of the IRS portal.

They had been trying for 30 minutes or more to figure out what was going on before they said anything to me. They claimed they called their Ford person and that person didn't know.

After a bunch of back and forth, with them claiming they were losing money, they gave me an additional $3500 off and said "even though we're losing money we'll make the deal".

If it matters, this is a purchase in MA.

My questions:

1) Anyone else experience this?
2) Anyone know why this particular VIN might be denied?
3) Is there anything I can look at on the sticker/VIN/etc. that would give me any info?
4) Is there anyone here on the forum that could try getting past the first page on the IRS portal and see if it works?

If the dealership was able to tell me a specific reason why it was denied then I might be okay with it. But not knowing makes me just think I'm being taken for a ride.

I was thinking I'd just try and claim it on my taxes at tax time, but I saw that I need a "SELLER REPORT". Apparently, I can't get that until the sale is registered on the IRS portal. And it also seems that this needs to be resolved within 3 days of sale or no go. So, chicken/egg.

Any suggestions, enlightenment, or condolences accepted.

Oh, and after all that, I didn't even get to leave with the truck. My insurance agent's office seems to have had a technical meltdown so they couldn't get the insurance stamp in time to do the title/reg/etc. I had to Uber to the dealership this morning, and then I had to Uber home.

It's been a long, frustrating day.

PS. I'll create an intro thread soon, but want to get some information about all this ASAP.

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[MountainAlive]

It should have qualified. I wish I had more helpful advice. You should still be able to get the MA credit as well (also $7500) with everything under $80k.

 

[F150Redux]

It should have qualified. I wish I had more helpful advice. You should still be able to get the MA credit as well (also $7500) with everything under $80k.

Thanks. My feelings exactly. Before I signed, I called the MOR-EV line; the woman there is very helpful. She told me MA has MOR-EV Trucks budgets through this year, and maybe into next year, but she wasn't 100% sure on the latter.

I tried calling Ford Customer Service and the first rep couldn't help. She transferred me to an EV Specialist who just told me to contact the IRS or the dealership.

 

[BSEE SPARKY]

Could you tell if rebate had already been claimed on vehicle? In other words, someone bought truck and returned it, without getting title issued? Or someone figured out a scam to claim rebate, that got around the IRS checks.
I don't have any idea really, but a good conspiracy theory is always fun.

 

[The Weatherman]

There shouldn’t be any reason you didn’t get that rebate. Except that the dealer is either incompetent or unscrupulous or both. Or you’re outside the income limit.

Not sure which direction you should turn, but it’s sure not back to that dealer.

 

[hturnerfamily]

first, since this is a 'tax CREDIT', yes, you'll not see anything to do with 'up to $7,500' as a credit on your taxes until NEXT year, or nearer next April 15th, anyway, and that's only IF you have up to $7,500 of TAXES earned...

second, while they(the dealer) 'should' provide you with the IRS 'acceptance' form, I would file for my tax credit, regardless, and let the IRS go thru their procedures, even if it is rejected, later...

I'm not sure what you're referring to toward the "they couldn't get the insurance stamp in time to do the title/reg/etc" question, as insurance should never stand in your way of a new purchase:

A) if you already have another vehicle insured, with full coverage, you likely ALREADY have the same coverage bestowed to any 'new' vehicle you purchase. Your insurance policy/insurer will tell you the facts, but that's generally how it works. Most folks don't 'already' have a new vehicle listed on their policy when they purchase a new vehicle on the WEEKEND, when almost no insurance agencies are open, for sure, and sometimes not even the insurer, themselves. Dealers know this. Generally, current insurance coverage follows automatically to 'new' vehicles, for a specific timeframe, such as 30 days, to give you TIME to alert your insurer, etc.
If, though, you didn't already have a vehicle insured when you arrive to purchase the new one, or only have LIABILITY on your current vehicle, and you are getting a LOAN on the LIGHTNING, you may not have the 'automatic' coverage the dealer/loan provider needs. This is where you HAVE to alert your insurer, on the spot, to get that handled.

B) you can always CALL your insurer, directly, rather than any 'agency', or go ONLINE to your account to add this new vehicle and receive a NEW declarations page showing it.

C) I'm not sure what a 'stamp' is... but, you are in MA, so....

D) Registration and Tag generally follow days/weeks later when YOU go to your DMV/Tag Office and apply, with your new TITLE, or Loan paperwork, and insurance, etc.

 

[bmwhitetx]

Make sure they are entering the VIN correctly. No letter I, O, or Q in vins. (I would hope they do a copy/paste).
Get the specific error code, RC300 doesn’t come up sensibly in searches.
If declined now, you may also have an issue if you try to claim it on your tax return next year. Error could be it was already claimed for example.

 

[F150Redux]

Could you tell if rebate had already been claimed on vehicle? In other words, someone bought truck and returned it, without getting title issued? Or someone figured out a scam to claim rebate, that got around the IRS checks.
I don't have any idea really, but a good conspiracy theory is always fun.

No, couldn't tell anything like this.

The deal just got this truck on the lot a couple of days before I bought it, so I doubt it's a "resale" of any kind.

 

[F150Redux]

There shouldn’t be any reason you didn’t get that rebate. Except that the dealer is either incompetent or unscrupulous or both. Or you’re outside the income limit.

Not sure which direction you should turn, but it’s sure not back to that dealer.

I'm within the income limits, MSRP was under the cap, etc. I'm leaning towards either a dealer issue, or someone at Ford screwed up when they put this vehicle in the system.

 

[Oafboy182]

Had the dealer just received the truck? I had the same problem when I bought my truck at the beginning of May. It had only just arrived and the VIN wasn't in the IRS system yet. The dealer worked their asses off to figure it out. They ended up calling someone from Ford corporate that deals with the tax credits and they had to get the VIN over to the IRS. It took an extra but they were able to get it done.

 

[F150Redux]

first, since this is a 'tax CREDIT', yes, you'll not see anything to do with 'up to $7,500' as a credit on your taxes until NEXT year, or nearer next April 15th, anyway, and that's only IF you have up to $7,500 of TAXES earned...

second, while they(the dealer) 'should' provide you with the IRS 'acceptance' form, I would file for my tax credit, regardless, and let the IRS go thru their procedures, even if it is rejected, later...

I'm not sure what you're referring to toward the "they couldn't get the insurance stamp in time to do the title/reg/etc" question, as insurance should never stand in your way of a new purchase:

A) if you already have another vehicle insured, with full coverage, you likely ALREADY have the same coverage bestowed to any 'new' vehicle you purchase. Your insurance policy/insurer will tell you the facts, but that's generally how it works. Most folks don't 'already' have a new vehicle listed on their policy when they purchase a new vehicle on the WEEKEND, when almost no insurance agencies are open, for sure, and sometimes not even the insurer, themselves. Dealers know this. Generally, current insurance coverage follows automatically to 'new' vehicles, for a specific timeframe, such as 30 days, to give you TIME to alert your insurer, etc.
If, though, you didn't already have a vehicle insured when you arrive to purchase the new one, or only have LIABILITY on your current vehicle, and you are getting a LOAN on the LIGHTNING, you may not have the 'automatic' coverage the dealer/loan provider needs. This is where you HAVE to alert your insurer, on the spot, to get that handled.

B) you can always CALL your insurer, directly, rather than any 'agency', or go ONLINE to your account to add this new vehicle and receive a NEW declarations page showing it.

C) I'm not sure what a 'stamp' is... but, you are in MA, so....

D) Registration and Tag generally follow days/weeks later when YOU go to your DMV/Tag Office and apply, with your new TITLE, or Loan paperwork, and insurance, etc.

I wanted to get the $7500 EV Rebate at the "Point of Sale" and not do it myself with next year's taxes. The dealer claims that the IRS portal rejected the VIN, but they can't tell me why.

In MA your insurance company and/or agent has to "stamp" the paperwork stating you have coverage for the vehicle before you can get registration/plates/inspection. It used to be a physical "wet" stamp, but now most places are digital.

Most dealers in MA can do the title, registration, etc. in house and provide plates on the spot. They are usually tied into the MA Registry of Motor Vehicles. Even dealers that aren't tied into the computer systems usually send runners/couriers to the RMV to take care of the paperwork.

I can't recall buying a car in the last 10+ years where I had to wait or register the car myself.

All of the title/registration issues were because of the delay in "making the deal" due to the Federal EV rebate issue. By the time they suggested an alternative my agent's office had closed for the day.

 

[ackvor]

Which dealer?

 

[F150Redux]

Make sure they are entering the VIN correctly. No letter I, O, or Q in vins. (I would hope they do a copy/paste).
Get the specific error code, RC300 doesn’t come up sensibly in searches.
If declined now, you may also have an issue if you try to claim it on your tax return next year. Error could be it was already claimed for example.

I asked them to try it again today and make sure they had the VIN correct. I also told them I need the "SELLERS REPORT" or whatever it's call so I can try and claim it on my own with my 2025 taxes.

I'm trying to reach out to Ford via Twitter/etc. to see if anyone can help.

 

[F150Redux]

Had the dealer just received the truck? I had the same problem when I bought my truck at the beginning of May. It had only just arrived and the VIN wasn't in the IRS system yet. The dealer worked their asses off to figure it out. They ended up calling someone from Ford corporate that deals with the tax credits and they had to get the VIN over to the IRS. It took an extra but they were able to get it done.

Yes, it just got to their lot a couple days ago. Maybe this is the issue. I will get ahold of the dealer and tell them your experience.

Thanks!

 

[RocketGhost]

Ford sends the IRS a list of VINs of qualifying vehicles. When the dealer reports the sale, the portal checks the VIN against that list and also checks to see if it was already reported as sold. I don't know when Ford sends the VINs, but you would think they would do it before the truck has a chance to be sold.

Besides those two checks the only other thing I can think of is if the VIN or other information was not input correctly by the dealer.

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