Electrical Golf Cart -- Tax credit ??????

So based on some of the comments here only certain people in this country should use available tax credits when they are offered?

Flapper wrote:
Ummm, there are tax credits for RV's - you can deduct the interest as part of the home mortgage deduction......

There is a tax deduction for home mortgage interest where a rv may qualify as a home. So if the electric cart qualifies as a vehicle might as well take advantage of it.

I say take every tax deduction or credit that is legal. We are not the ones that made the code so convoluted trying to social engineer or persuade us to take certain actions.

Yes, there used to be a tax credit. Gone now. Came about because the government wanted to subsidize electric vehicles and street legal golf carts slipped in. They tightened the rules, and carts no longer could qualify. Don't blame anyone for taking any legal deduction no matter how silly it seems on the surface, because you won't find the government ignoring any tax they can collect regardless of how stupid the tax comes about. Ask someone who has run afoul of some of the rules regarding transferring IRAs and 401Ks.
As for gas vs electric, there is a reason electric outsell gas by about 1000 to one. They are cleaner, require less maintenance, quiet, and generally the choice for everyone. The downside is they are a bit heavier and the batteries are expensive to replace. As for gas, the only advantage I can see is you can travel in a straight line forever, since you could refill at gas stations, whereas an electric requires a few hour charge.

pitch wrote:
Why should I or anyone one else subsidize your pleasure? Never heard of a TAX subsidy for a golf cart or any other pleasure item.

I get a credit (write off) with my motorhome...its a pleasure item... :)

pitch wrote:
Why should I or anyone one else subsidize your pleasure? Never heard of a TAX subsidy for a golf cart or any other pleasure item.

The tax code does not have any logic. For example no tax brake for the renter who pays the landlord who get the deduction for the mortgage interest.

TenOC wrote:

pitch wrote:
Why should I or anyone one else subsidize your pleasure? Never heard of a TAX subsidy for a golf cart or any other pleasure item.

The tax code does not have any logic. For example no tax brake for the renter who pays the landlord who get the deduction for the mortgage interest.

Those deductions get passed on to the renter. For example, if I couldn't deduct the interest and other expenses I incur owning and operating a park, I would have to pay $100,000+ additional taxes. That money would have to come from somewhere and since the park does around 10,000 camper nights, that would be an additional $10+ per night.

westernrvparkowner wrote:
Yes, there used to be a tax credit. Gone now. Came about because the government wanted to subsidize electric vehicles and street legal golf carts slipped in. They tightened the rules, and carts no longer could qualify. Don't blame anyone for taking any legal deduction no matter how silly it seems on the surface, because you won't find the government ignoring any tax they can collect regardless of how stupid the tax comes about. Ask someone who has run afoul of some of the rules regarding transferring IRAs and 401Ks.
As for gas vs electric, there is a reason electric outsell gas by about 1000 to one. They are cleaner, require less maintenance, quiet, and generally the choice for everyone. The downside is they are a bit heavier and the batteries are expensive to replace. As for gas, the only advantage I can see is you can travel in a straight line forever, since you could refill at gas stations, whereas an electric requires a few hour charge.

X2

Only thing I might add is that a gas one typically has more power. Would be better if climbing hills. While many electrics will climb it is usually slower and discharges batteries faster.

FunnyCamper wrote:
most campgrounds do not allow gas carts.

electric is your safest bet to be able to use it.

I wouldn't say most. Maybe a regional thing. Some do some don't. Likewise some don't allow any. Some will only allow if street legal, licensed and insured.

Flapper wrote:
Ummm, there are tax credits for RV's - you can deduct the interest as part of the home mortgage deduction......

since the OP was referring to the purchase of an electric golf cart I was referring to the purchase of an RV. the tax credit you're referring to is not a tax credit...it's a deduction for the mortgage interest on a second home and, assuming it meets the test set forth in the IRS regs, an RV can qualify as a second home.

I agree wholeheartedly about aggressively taking every deduction, or tax credit, a taxpayer is due.

Funny story. When we bought our club car in 2003 that was one of the selling points of the cart. It has signals, seat belts, highway tires, 4 wheel brakes, goes 24 MPH. Had to brake it to him that we were Canadian and it didn't do us any good. Bought it anyway, brand new 4900 bucks. Still runs great. Funny thing was he had just bought a Hummer that gave him a 100,000 dollar tax credit. That one surprised me but apparently was quite common during the Bush era tax credits. Who would have thought that someone that can afford a hummer getting 14 mpg needed a 100,000 dollar tax credit. I'm looking at this through the eyes of a foreigner. I am sure there was more to it. I just never looked into it.

Have you looked into the small portable carts that can be carried on the back of the hitch?

Good luck with your search.