ericbdavies said:
1) How does the new TAVT work with the lease of a LEAF? From what I read, the leasing company would pay and then the lease payments should be exempt from sales tax. Is this the case? Or does the dealer pass on a portion of that 6.5% to you when buying?
2) With the Georgia tax credit, is there any way that works retroactively? Like I could get money Back paid this past April (for 2012), or will I just see the credit next year when I do my state taxes?
3) Also regarding the tax credit - I know that it is 20% of the capitalized cost. Is this the gross capitalized cost (BEFORE the federal $7500 tax credit) or the net capitalized cost (AFTER credit applied). I'm guessing it is gross but just want to make sure.
4) Last and most important. How practical is a LEAF for me? I live in Kennesaw and commute about 50-60 miles per day - and with my commuter car I drive less than 12k miles per year. Will I have range anxiety? I do sit in rush hour traffic often, and it seems like that kind of traffic doesn't hurt range at all from what I've read.
Hi -
As for #1, I'm not certain myself. I just received my tag renewal, and it's still not clear. I'd check the DMV Web site or call you county tax commissioner. I am grandfathered in since I leased last year. When the law was first written, I believe folks who leased were getting doubly screwed (monthly tax AND the tax on the capitalized cost of the car). However, I had heard the legislature was going to fix it. Perhaps the dealer would know? But I'd make sure I knew BEFORE I leased one going forward.
For #2, the tax doesn't work retro. However, one poster did effectively make that happen by upping his withholding allowance on his w4 (is that the right form) to effectively give himself the 5K rebate in advance. Then next year, he puts the withholding number back down to normal. Note: I'm not giving tax advice here...just saying what I read one other person did. If it were me, I'd just wait until next year to get the credit and treat it as a bonus (and stick it in the bank).
for #3, as I read the GA tax info on that, it says "the lessor of 20% of the vehicle cost or $5,000 tax credit...for purchase or lease..." So I would read that as gross capitalized cost (i.e., the MSRP of the car). I know I was safe either way since mine was over $25K even with the capitalized cost reduction. Figure also that with the S models have a drive out price of $16K that takes into account BOTH the Fed and State of GA tax credit, that MUST be how it's calculated. Again, you might want to verify with the authorities, but I think you'd be good.
#4: If that mileage is total round trip, I think you're golden. Does that include any "let's run out at lunch" trips? If so, then you might even be able to get by with an 80% charge, but I would go to 100% daily until I knew I could get by on the 80%. As the other poster noted, the ability to charge just a little during the day would give you peace of mind.
Know that the car does "burn" more battery at highway speeds, but if you're stuck in traffic, it does much better. Maybe you can get Nissan to loan you one for a day so you can take it home and drive it to work and back to see how it does at highway speeds. Know that in the winter, if you use the heater, you'll really impact range (but you could always "pre warm" the car at home while it's plugged in).