To verify the VIN entered on Form 8936 for clean vehicle credits:
- Cross-check documentation against:
- Vehicle registration, title, proof of insurance, or the physical VIN plate on the vehicle.
- Ensure the VIN is 17 characters (numbers and letters) and entered without errors.
- Use the VIN Decoder:
- Confirm assembly location using the U.S. Department of Energy’s VIN tool or the NHTSA VIN Decoder to validate eligibility.
- TurboTax also recommends verifying assembly via the VIN Decoder tool for credit compliance.
- Resolve “Invalid VIN” errors:
- Re-enter the VIN carefully if tax software flags it as invalid.
- Match the VIN exactly as shown on Form 15400 (seller-provided report).
Always ensure the date placed in service (line 3) matches the possession date. For credit transfer elections (line 4), verify amounts using the seller’s report.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-can-i-verify-the-vin-entered-on-form-8936/
