Ford Hybrid Tax Credit: Devil is in the Details

First, the good news for would-be 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid owners: the 39 mpg sedan qualifies for a whopping $3,400 tax credit. That’s the highest tax credit the government offers (for hybrid cars, that is).

Now for the bad news: The tax credit is set to expire just before the cars hit the market sometime around March 31. You might consider driving to Michigan to buy one straight from the factory line––or better yet, pre-order one before April 1. According to LA Times blogger Ken Bensinger, that’s the only way to enjoy the full tax benefit.

It gets even thornier. Bensinger points out the legal ambiguity as to what constitutes a pre-order “purchase.” Ford says a $500 down-payment should be enough to ensure the purchase tax benefits. A tax attorney says it might not be that cut-and-dried. We’ll leave the speculation to the attorneys, but recommend Bensinger’s incisive post to those in the market for a fuel-friendly vehicle.