Tesla confirms $7,500 EV tax credit still valid for orders placed on September 30: No delivery required

It is no longer news that the US federal tax credit will expire on September 30. However, Tesla is making a last-minute push to convince as many customers as possible to take advantage of the incentive before it is too late. It has updated its US website with clarification on orders placed on the last day of the program.

Tesla’s website has added “Order by September 30 to Qualify” to the federal tax advertisement on the homepage. It provides assurance for buyers who may be unsure of what the end period of the package means.

The update aligns with the latest guidance from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The federal agency announced that EV orders placed on September 30 qualify, even if delivery is not achieved. Customers only need to make a commitment, which could be a down payment or trade-in.

Being able to lock in and make a full payment potentially weeks or months in advance allows buyers a bit of flexibility. It means they can still customize their own car and wait for it to be factory-built, instead of having to rush to order from existing stock.

For Tesla, the arrangement enables it to manage its inventory more effectively and also boost sales in the last quarter of 2025.