Tesla has updated its U.S. website with a major clarification on the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Buyers no longer need to take delivery of their vehicle by September 30, 2025, to qualify. Instead, they simply need to place an order and enter into a binding purchase agreement before the deadline.
That means if you order by September 30 and make a payment — even a small downpayment or trade-in — you can take delivery weeks or even months later and still claim the $7,500 incentive. Tesla’s update aligns with new guidance the IRS published last month, which clarified that eligibility is tied to the purchase contract date rather than the actual delivery date.
While the EV credit is still set to expire at the end of September, this new flexibility could give Tesla a big boost in Q4 deliveries and give buyers more breathing room. Customers no longer need to scramble for immediate inventory; they can order a factory build or wait for their preferred configuration to arrive without losing access to the credit.
The tax credit itself is only applied once the car is officially “placed in service” — in other words, when you take delivery and the dealer submits a time-of-sale report. But as long as you’ve signed a contract before September 30, eligibility is locked in.
For Tesla, this clarification could help offset delivery bottlenecks and extend strong order momentum into Q4, especially as the company continues to juggle high demand for the Model 3 and Model Y in the U.S. For customers, it removes the pressure of rushing into whatever car is available on a lot, making it easier to secure the federal incentive without compromise.
If you’ve been eyeing a new Tesla, now may be the best time to order. The $7,500 federal EV tax credit remains set to disappear after September 30, but locking in your eligibility before then ensures you won’t miss out. Click here to order your Tesla today and lock in the $7,500 federal EV tax credit before it expires.
