How to Get a Tax Deduction for Your Golf Cart | USTaxAid How to Get a Tax Deduction for Your Golf Cart | USTaxAid

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How to Get a Tax Deduction for Your Golf Cart

Written by Diane Kennedy, CPA on February 12, 2010

golfcartIf you live in an area where you can get around by golf cart, you’ve got a potential tax deduction!

The IRS offers a “green” tax credit (that’s better than a deduction) of between $4,000 and $6,000 off the purchase of an electric vehicle. And, in a new ruling, the IRS has said the credit applies to street legal golf carts. That means your golf cart must meet federal safety standards, and must be meant to be driven on roads with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less. If your golf cart is just meant to be used on a golf course, the credit isn’t available.

While there’s an element of amusement to this, think about your elderly parents, who may be living in a retirement community. Golf carts are a great way to get around. A $4000-6000 tax credit is probably 50% or more of the total cost of the cart itself. So if you were to buy your parents a golf cart, you would be entitled to take the tax credit.

We love tax credits, because they reduce your net taxes payable. In contrast, a tax deduction lowers your net income before taxes. You’ll pay less tax in both cases, but with a tax credit you get a better bang for your buck.

4 Comments

  1. Thanks for this article Megan! In Sun City, AZ there are a lot of people driving golf carts around on the streets. Now they have a tax credit too!

  2. Chuck says:

    How do I file for a new golf cart deduction? What form, etc?

  3. Diane Kennedy says:

    This article is 9 years old. 🙂 That’s one reason why I always make sure I date the blogs. You can tell whether they’re outdated or not.

    Sadly, this particular credit is no longer applicable. However, if you had a business involved in golf in some way and it was an expense that was “ordinary and necessary” to the production of income, it could be a deduction.

  4. David says:

    I am a realtor and I live on an island that people drive golf carts on the streets. Our top speed limit is 35 but the entire island is under construction for 2-3 more years and now the speed is changed to 25. Anyway, I bought a street legal golf cart to get around the island on. I do not take clients in the cart but I do drive to properties to meet them. I am in Florida. Is there any way I can write off part of this golf cart purchase? I bought it in 2019. Thanks

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