None of those articles address how people not subject to the AMT (as we knew we were) would be affected. The Post article isn't actually available online anymore either.

LiberalImage.com

Not to be rude, but you made nearly 54k and you only have to pay $1429. That's like 2.65%. I'm sure there are plenty of people that would love to be in your situation.

As I said, I'm NOT disappointed to be getting a payout. But if you run the numbers using census data for median income, dependents, child care expense, mortgage interest and all else that would otherwise apply, it is clear that the hybrid tax credit was intended to help nobody who could be classified as the average family, or more importantly, the majority of people, I'm assuming, who actually purchased hybrids.

My gripe is on principle. The IRS didn't disclose the fine print until after the fact.

LiberalImage.com

The IRS code has not changed in regard to the application of AMT. The IRS is not responsible for making sure YOU understand the tax code and it's application. It is up to YOU to understand how the impacts of a tax credit apply to your particular tax situation.

It is clear to me that prior to making this purchase you didn't understand the AMT tax and so you never considered the impacts of the tax credit.

Boy, all this talk about AMT and the Hybrid tax credit really gives the arrogant accountants a chance to blast everyone else with their vast knowledge of tax law. I'm sure impressed.

I'm sure the layperson is glad to hear how dumb they are for not understanding the intricate depths of how the tax credit works. How silly of them to believe 99% of the messages from the myriad sources simply saying "Buy the car, get the credit".

I don't know that much about taxes or the tax code and I am certainly not an accountant. I have read the articles about the AMT and how you can't use the credit to receive a refund (except for the taxes you paid). I have done the research so that when I buy a hybrid, I won't be surprised like everyone else seems to be. I have done the research. I didn't expect the IRS to explain the tax code to me.

snax,

Couldn't you not claim a child tax credit or deduction or something and claim the hybrid credit instead? You're not forced to claim them.

Apparently I have not made myself clear enough on this: The AMT does not apply to our situation. You can complain about that as much as you want as a seperate issue, but like the MEDIAN level taxpayer in the US, it does not apply to them either.

The whole point is that this issue of the order in which the credit would be applied was NOT published on the IRS website or was deeply hidden in some dark damp place. NOBODY at the IRS was offering it up until after the fact. We did our research as well and got screwed by the IRS not divulging the entire picture until now.

LiberalImage.com

Try going to the IRS website and searching for 'hybrid tax credit'. Tell me how many search result pages you need to read through before you find the information relevant to this issue.

Shoebox has it right. One should not have to be an expert to figure this garbage out.

LiberalImage.com

Well said.