COLLEYVILLE, Texas — The Association of Finance and Insurance Professionals issued guidance this week on the Federal Reserve Board and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Nov. 25 announcement that 2016 dollar thresholds for Regulation Z (Truth in Lending) and Regulation M (Consumer Leasing Act) exemptions will remain unchanged in 2016.

Protections under the TILA and CLA will apply to consumer credit transactions and consumer leases of $54,600 or less in 2016, according to the agencies, the same thresholds that applied in 2015.

“The $54,600 threshold will remain the same for 2016, as well the accepted practice for processing transactions in excess of that amount.”

The $54,600 maximum amount to qualify for installment sale and consumer lease protection under TILA and CLA, respectively, is not based on the selling price of the vehicle, but on the “amount financed” for a credit sale and the “total contractual obligation” for a lease, Robertson added. The total contractual obligation includes non-refundable amounts a lessee is contractually obligated to pay under the lease, but excludes the residual value, purchase option price and amounts such as taxes, license and registration fees collected by the lessor, but paid to third parties.

“However, most dealers treat all consumer transactions as if they fall under TILA and CLA, regardless of the dollar amount involved,” Robertson noted. “Under the two regulations, a consumer transaction is one in which the vehicle is used ‘primarily’ for household, family or personal use. Consumer transactions exceeding the $54,500 threshold may be recorded on a TILA compliant installment sale agreement or a Consumer Leasing Act compliant lease agreement.”

For further information, email David Robertson at afipdave@gmail.com or visit www.afip.com.