Prius Prime IRS Credit Certification - Please Help!

Hello,
I claimed a $4502 tax credit for my 2019 Prius Prime. I did not receive a "Manufacturer's Certification" for Form 8936 but read online no one seems to get these and they just use the VIN. Well, IRS got back to me saying I'm missing the Manufacturer's Certification to claim the credit. I called Toyota to see if they could help but they just said I talk to my tax accountant. I responded back to the IRS with proof of ownership and a screenshot of the IRS website showing they do in fact provide a $4502 credit for the 2019 Prius Prime but that Toyota did not give me such a letter.

That wasn't enough, they just mailed back saying I still can't claim the credit. Does any one know what the next step is? How do I get this letter? I'm afraid if I just call the IRS, they will simply say "you don't have the letter you can't claim the credit, period". I am frustrated, any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

Ok I need to call dealer then. This is helpful.

@ all others saying that they didn't need one or instructions don't mention it: Yes, as I said in OP, I understand few seem to either get them or even provide them to the IRS. Turbotax also auto-filled 8936 for me. But presumably the IRS randomly checks tax returns and mine showed up and saw there was no certification. If they had randomly checked yours, you'd be in this same issue. I've seen others get the same problem (ex:) but haven't found it for a Prius Prime so was hoping someone else here had some insight.

 

Ok I understand what you mean. In my deficiency letter, they said I needed to provide this document to be eligible to claim the credit. Looking at the instructions, I agree the language is different since they don't say that you indeed need to provide it. However, the instructions do say "Generally, you can rely...".

That "Generally" and "rely" are a bit scary as it might imply that for most, there won't be a problem as the IRS already has the necessary info. But perhaps in some specific cases, you need to work a little harder.

Will call dealer first. Then IRS using this angle. Will update thread with results.

Hopefully you will be one of the many people who didn't seem to have an issue at all!

 

Not sure where your post went but to be clear, I don't think you're being condescending at all. I very well might have made a mistake and I appreciate that reminder, I'm just trying to fix the problem.

The Form I submitted looks correct, and I meet all of the requirements. The deficiency letter was pretty clear that what they wanted was the Manufacturer's Certification that the vehicle meets the tax credit. Will have more info tomorrow on this for sure but certainly keep all ideas coming.

I posted above a reddit thread where they managed to find the actual certification letter from Kia for the Nero. Does any one know where we could find that? A contact number from Toyota perhaps that knows this well? If I only I spoke to the correct person from Toyota, I know I could grab a hold of that document and make this easier.

 

VIN looks correct, I've checked it like 5 times in all the paperwork haha.

Fantastic advice on the second paragraph, I didn't even know about FOIA. I just submitted the request, just in case the dealership and then speaking with IRS directly, somehow fail.

Very appreciative of the help!

 

All right here's the update:
- Called the dealership, they had no idea what I was talking about, even talked to a Financial Services Manager. Said to call Toyota USA.
- Called Toyota USA (their general support, their branding team and even the financial services brand). Nothing. No one has any clue what this document is. They said to call the dealership (lol).
- Called IRS, was on hold for 3 hours before I gave up. They're clearly slammed, maybe they have not even opened the mail I sent with the ownership info and IRS website screenshot showing the vehicle is eligible. I would find it strange they'd send me another letter, with the amount I need to pay, without at least checking their mail for my response to the initial letter though.

So I'm just going to keep trying to call them for the next 4 weeks and eventually just mail back that I disagree with their decision. Maybe by then, the FOIA request comes through. Will update this thread when/if I eventually reach a resolution.

 

I bought a new (from dealership) 2019 Prime in 2019 and claimed it on my 2019 tax returns.

 

Yes, sorry that this wasn't clear. I didn't think it mattered for purposes of my question but in retrospect, I suppose it does show how behind they are. Really hoping they simply did not get to my mail and that eventually they will and then mail me saying that everything is fine. One can hope for a simple resolution like that right