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Tax Issues of Auto Dealerships: Floor Plan Financing, 163(j) Limitations, Clean Vehicle and Other Tax Credits

Note: CLE credit is not offered on this program

Recording of a 110-minute CPE webinar with Q&A

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Conducted on Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Recorded event now available

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This webinar will discuss tax matters of automobile dealerships for sellers and tax advisers working with these companies. Our panel of federal income tax veterans will identify these issues and offer advice to maximize tax savings for these sellers.

Description

Automobile dealerships have unique tax issues. Most receive floor plan financing rates, allowing dealers to buy inventory now and pay for the vehicle when it is sold. The vehicles secure the loan. This short-term financing ensures the showroom is amply stocked with a wide selection of vehicles. Currently, Section 163(j) regulations limit the deductibility of interest for certain taxpayers. Although this limit does not apply to floor plan interest, if interest expense exceeds 30 percent of adjusted taxable income and the dealership is not otherwise exempt, the dealership cannot take bonus depreciation on any assets.

On Mar. 13, 2024, the IRS announced that sellers must register to receive Clean Vehicle Tax Credit payments. Purchasers can now receive a rebate when a vehicle is purchased rather than waiting months to receive a credit on their tax returns. Unfortunately, not all dealerships were aware of or signed up for the new system. The new online system must be used for advance credits as well as credits purchasers intend to claim on a tax return. Many purchasers planning to claim the tax return credit have had their claims denied because the dealership did not register under the new guidelines. Tax practitioners working with automobile dealerships must grasp the tax challenges these businesses endure.

Listen as our panel of auto dealership experts reviews these businesses' problematic tax situations.

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Outline

  • I. Tax issues of auto dealerships: introduction
  • II. Depreciation
  • III. Inventory
  • IV. Floor plan financing
  • V. Credits
  • A. Electric vehicle credits
  • B. Other credits
  • VI. Excise tax
  • VII. Impact of tariffs
  • VIII. Other issues

Benefits

The panel will cover these and other critical issues:

  • Managing floor plan financing
  • Depreciation options for automobile dealerships
  • Registering to receive Clean Vehicle Tax Credits
  • Other tax credits available to auto dealerships
  • The 163(j) interest expense limitations relative to automobile sellers

Faculty

Mucenski-Keck, Lynn
Lynn M. Mucenski-Keck, CPA, MST

Principal
Withum Smith+Brown

Ms. Mucenski-Keck is a tax principal with over twenty years of experience in the accounting profession and serves as...  |  Read More

Mulhearn, Michael
Michael B. Mulhearn, CPA

Partner
Withum Smith+Brown

Mr. Mulhearn is a partner based in our firm’s Philadelphia, PA office, with over 15 years of experience in...  |  Read More

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