I think a lot of people are going to be surprised.
As for the Treasury Department, they had advice that came out around 12/30/22, that basically said they would rule on the whole battery materials by March... Although, they did reaffirm that the IRA states that as of 1/1/23. the car MUST be final assemble in the USA. (this automatically disqualifies the Toyota bZ4X!) The IRS had similar warnings, and basically said, in uncertain language that a Binding Agreement won't mean anything (sure your lawyer could argue otherwise, but when it comes to the IRS, their final wording and ruling will stand,... for some reason the IRS doesn't have to follow the law).
Anyway, here is some wording/advice:
Find out how you can save money through Federal tax incentives on your purchase of a new plug-in hybrid or electric vehicle!
www.fueleconomy.gov
IRS:
Credits and Deductions Under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 | Internal Revenue Service
Purchase date vs. delivery date
If you entered a written binding contract to buy a vehicle before August 16, 2022, but took possession on or after August 16, 2022, and before January 1, 2023, you may claim the credit based on the prior rules and disregard the assembly requirement.
If you purchased a vehicle between August 16, 2022 and December 31, 2022
but don't take delivery of the vehicle until 2023, see
Credit for New Clean Vehicles Purchased in 2023 and After.
* FINAL ASSEMBLY IN THE USA * is still a rule, regardless of your binding agreement.
**I Did find one loophole, that the IRS hasn't closed up, yet!... and in the IRA it states that if you LEASE the car after 1/1/23, the assembly rule doesn't apply, and the same, if you purchase it under a business name (business purchase).... For me, i'm hoping this wording doesn't change all year, because that's exactly what I ended up doing... Senator Machin though is fighting to get that wording changed! he stated "that defeats the purpose of the bill... "
added note for
@Neutronbomb .... You would have to have a huge taxable income to qualify for that many credits in one year!