Attention Connecticut!

** If the DRS changes it’s url again, you can search for this under IP 2007(30.1) Two Sales Tax Exemptions for Fuel Efficient Passenger Motor Vehicles **

I had a reader who was told by a car dealer that this tax exemption only applied to new cars, so if you are planning on taking it, please print out IP 2007(30.1) and take it with you, highlighting the following passage:

“Guidance for Both Exemptions: The two sales and use tax exemptions described below apply to purchases or leases of fuel-efficient passenger motor vehicles.

Passenger motor vehicles may be offered in different configurations (such as different choices of engine, transmission, and other major options) and the configurations may impact whether a particular passenger motor vehicle qualifies for this exemption. Therefore, the ratings for the particular passenger motor vehicle being purchased or leased must be reviewed to determine if it qualifies for exemption.

The exemptions apply to the purchase or lease of a new or used qualifying passenger motor vehicle from a motor vehicle dealer and to the purchase of a used qualifying passenger motor vehicle directly from a non-dealer owner.

The lists of qualifying passenger motor vehicles provided in this publication are derived from information in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Green Vehicle Guide, which includes ratings back to the 2000 model year. Passenger motor vehicles made in prior model years may also qualify for exemption.”

Starting January 1st, Connecticut residents will enjoy a sales tax exemption on fuel efficient autos. There are two exemptions – one for hybrid cars, and one for highly fuel-efficient traditional models.

From DRS:

Except as otherwise noted, sales of the following hybrid passenger vehicles qualify for exemption under Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-412(115), as long as the sales occur on or after October 1, 2004 and before October 1, 2008:

* Honda Civic Hybrid for model years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
* Honda Insight for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006
* Toyota Prius for model years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008

Sales of the following motor vehicles qualify for exemption under Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-412(110), as long as the sales occur on or after January 1, 2008 and on or before June 30, 2010. Both automatic and manual transmissions are included, unless designated otherwise:

* Honda Civic Hybrid for model years 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
* Honda Civic HX for model year 2002 (manual only)
* Honda Insight for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006
* Toyota Prius for model years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008
* Volkswagen Golf (Diesel) for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (manual only), 2005 (manual only), 2006
* Volkswagen Jetta (Diesel) for model years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (manual only), 2005 (manual only)
* Volkswagen Jetta Wagon (Diesel) for model years 2002, 2003, 2004 (manual only)
* Volkswagen New Beetle (Diesel) for model years 2000, 2001, 2002 (manual only), 2003 (manual only), 2004 (manual only), 2005 (manual only), 2006 (manual only)

This isn’t to say these are the only vehicles with the tax exemptions available, but it’s a starting point from which drivers can do more research.