17060.3.
(a) For each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2018, and before January 1, 2023, there shall be allowed to a qualified taxpayer a credit against the “net tax,” as defined in Section 17039, in an amount equal to the following amounts for new vehicles: paid or incurred for the purchase or lease in California of new vehicles that are registered in California:(1) One thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles with an electric range of more than 20 miles.
(2) Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for battery electric vehicles.
(3) Five thousand dollars ($5,000) for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
(b) In addition to the credit allowed pursuant to subdivision (a), a qualified taxpayer who is a low-income purchaser shall be allowed a credit of five hundred dollars ($500) for each eligible vehicle type identified in subdivision (a). For purposes of this subdivision, “low-income purchaser” means an individual or individuals whose household income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income of the county in which they reside as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(c) (1) A qualifying taxpayer purchasing a near-zero-emission or a zero-emission vehicle may assign the tax credit allowed by this section to a financing entity as follows:
(1)
(A) The assignment to the financing entity shall be completed at the time of purchase by entering the following information into an election statement:
(A)
(i) The vehicle identification number of the vehicle for which a credit is allowed by this section.
(B)
(ii) An affirmation that all the requirements of this subdivision have been met.
(2)
(B) The qualified taxpayer electing the assignment must assign the tax credit to the financing entity and forfeit the right to claim the tax credit on the qualified taxpayer’s tax return in exchange for good and valuable consideration.
(3)
(C) The financing entity shall compensate the qualified taxpayer for the full nominal value of the tax credit. The compensation paid to the qualified taxpayer shall be considered a refund of state taxes and shall not be considered as income.
(4)
(D) The financing entity shall electronically submit a report containing the information in the election statement described in paragraph (1) subparagraph (A) to the Franchise Tax Board within 30 days of the purchase of a near-zero-emission or zero-emission vehicle.
(2) The Franchise Tax Board shall create the election statement and may request any information the Franchise Tax Board determines is necessary, but shall request, at a minimum, the information in subparagraph (A) of
paragraph (1).
(3) A financing entity that is assigned the tax credit shall be allowed for each taxable year beginning on or after January 1, 2018, and before January 1, 2023, the tax credit assigned to it against the “net tax” as defined in Section 17039 or the “tax” as defined in Section 23036.
(d) (1) The qualified taxpayer shall first obtain the preapproval prescribed in paragraph (2).
(2) The State Air Resources Board shall implement a process to allow eligible applicants under subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) to obtain preapproval from the State Air Resources Board prior to purchasing or leasing a near-zero or zero-emission vehicle. The
process shall provide the applicant a unique identifiable number, which the applicant can present to a dealer, and shall enable the unique identifiable number to be verified by a dealer at the time of purchase or lease. The verification of the applicant’s eligibility shall be provided to a dealer in an electronic or paper format.
(d)
(e) For the purposes of this section:
(1) “Qualified taxpayer” means an individual or individuals who meet the income eligibility requirements specified by the State Air Resources Board pursuant
to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 44258.4 of the Health and Safety Code and who purchased a near-zero-emission or zero-emission vehicle during the taxable year.
(2) “Near-zero-emission vehicle” means a vehicle that utilizes zero-emission technologies, enables technologies that provide a pathway to zero-emissions operations, or incorporates other technologies that significantly reduce criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gas emissions, as defined determined by the State Air Resources Board in consultation with the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission consistent with meeting the state’s mid-
and long-term air quality standards and climate goals.
(3) “Zero-emission vehicle” means a vehicle that produces no emissions of criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gases when stationary or operating, as determined by the State Air Resources Board.
(e)
(f) (1) Subject to paragraph (2), in the case where the credit allowed by this section exceeds the “net tax” the excess may be carried
over to reduce the “net tax,” in the following year, and succeeding six years if necessary, until the credit is exhausted.
(2) It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to provide that in the case where the credit allowed by this section exceeds the “net tax,” the excess, in lieu of the carry forward pursuant to paragraph (1), may be refunded to taxpayers, upon appropriation by the Legislature.
(f)
(g) A credit under this section, except for a credit assigned to a financing
entity under subdivision (c), shall be allowed only on a timely filed original return of the qualified taxpayer.
(g)
(h) This section shall remain in effect only until December 1,
2023, and as of that date is repealed.
(i) The income eligibility provisions in Section 44274.3 of the Health and Safety Code shall remain in effect for purposes of qualifying for these income tax credits.