Exemptions That Can Save You Big Money When IFTA Filing

We are days away from the 1st quarter reporting due date, April 30. Making sure you file your quarterly IFTA forms correctly can save you from audit and make sure you aren’t paying too much. As part of getting the correct amount back it’s wise to be up to date on non taxable and exempt IFTA miles.

What IFTA Reporting Is For

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a tax collection and sharing agreement between certain jurisdictions that redistribute fuel taxes paid by interstate commercial carries. IFTA requires commercial carriers to pay fuel taxes proportionally, according to the miles traveled to and from each state, and or province. This is put in place to ensure that each IFTA member gets its fair share of revenue to put towards transportation and roads.

Non-IFTA Jurisdictions are where IFTA credentials do not matter.

Non-IFTA Jurisdictions:

Alaska

Hawaii

District of Columbia

Yukon Territory

Northwest Territory

Nunavut

Mexico

Each jurisdiction has its own unique definition of non-taxable mileage or exemptions. Any of the miles that fall under IFTA jurisdictions are considered non-taxable miles. To see what all applies you can visit the IFTA site. There are three kinds of exemptions, vehicle exemptions, fuel exemptions, and distance. They can vary from year to year, so staying up to date will be beneficial.

There are some states that allow exemptions for driving in certain areas, these could be Indian reservations, private roads and land, certain toll roads, etc.

Most turnpikes are taxable and non-exempt. The only two that are not is the Massachusetts Turnpike and the Cobequid Pass Toll Highway. Carriers that claim these as exempt or non-taxable on their IFTA reports are required to keep the receipt as proof.

Who Pays IFTA Tax

• Anyone who operates a vehicle with 2 axles and a gross weight or registered gross vehicle above 26,0000 pounds.

• Anyone who operates a vehicle with 3 or more axles (regardless of weight).

• Anyone who operates a vehicle with a combined weight of 26,000, including cargo. 

*If you DO NOT operate outside of your state IFTA does not apply to you.

It is also important to note that even if the carrier has not conducted any operations or used taxable fuel for a particular period, a report must still be filed.

Quarterly Tax Reporting Period

*If the last day of the month falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the next business day will be considered as filed timely.

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Extend Your Tax Day Deadline

The Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S Individual Income Tax Return, better known as Form 4868, extends the deadline of the income tax return as far as six months. This means you won’t have to submit tax documents until October 15th, 2019.

The deadline to submit a Form 4868 is on Tax Day, April 15.

Form 4868 is for anyone who feels like they can’t meet the deadline. We get it and so does the IRS. Things happen, documents go missing, and time gets away from you.

It is vital to note that Form 4868 only pushes back the filing of your tax documents. It doesn’t give you extra time to pay any taxes that you might owe. If you think you may owe money this year you’ll need to estimate the amount after filing for your extension. 

Three Ways To Get An Extension

1. Pay electronically: When you choose this method you don’t need to file Form 4868. By making a payment the IRS will automatically process an extension of time to file when you pay part or all of your estimated income tax electronically. This can be done online or over the phone.

2. E-File: When you e-file you can do it on your personal computer or through a tax professional. Be sure to have a copy of your previous tax return. This information will be needed for verification. At this time you can choose whether or not to make a payment online, or send it in via postal mail.

3. Paper filing: With paper filing, all you will need to do is fill out a paper Form 4868. You can choose to send it into the IRS in two ways. The first way is through the mail and the other would be through a private delivery service. Be mindful that if you are a fiscal year taxpayer, you must file a paper Form 4868.

If you are unsure on whether you can make the deadline it is important that you file an extension to be on the safe side. Choosing to file late can get pretty costly. The penalty can bee 5% of the unpaid taxes for each month or partial month it is late. If the return is more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty is $135 or 100% of the unpaid tax, whichever value is smaller.

What Filing A Form 4868 Means

Did you know that filing an extension doesn’t put you at higher risk of being audited? Generally, an extension is issued automatically and they won’t hassle you about why you are in need of an extension. So there is no need to pull out the old faithful, “My dog ate my homework” excuse.

Take the time to put in your extension today. We’d rather you be safe than sorry before paying some pretty costly penalties.

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Habits You Should Adopt To Avoid Being Audited

When it comes to truckers who have never gotten audited we promise their trick isn’t to just sit around with fingers crossed hoping to avoid it. Those particular truckers have more than likely implemented quarterly habits to help make sure there are no red flags on their reports.

The deadline for 1st Quarter IFTA reports is April, 30. We want to ensure you fall in line with truckers passing quarterly reports with flying colors, so we’ve made a blog for you to follow for the next few weeks to make sure auditors won’t be heading your way.

Don’t Make Estimates

The time it takes to be detailed when filing IFTA Tax Reports can be overwhelming, making the idea to guesstimate the miles traveled and the average MPG for your fleet a go-to method. This however, is one of the number one actions that can lead to an audit. Inaccurate estimates raise significant red flags. Truckers are required to provide precise records of mileage and fuel use. 

Don’t File Late

Not only does late filing lead to penalties in the form of late fees, but it can also lead to significant mistakes. Waiting to the last minute adds stress and can make you feel rushed. Plan ahead so that you may take your time and even have room for your work to be checked over by another pair of eyes. 

Review Trip Sheets

Keeping up with your trip sheets will make filing a lot simpler if you stay organized throughout each quarter. After each trip, make sure you are giving precise data, as mentioned earlier. Make sure you have zero gaps by including personal miles in your report. This step is important because discrepancy in your mileage reports may come off as if you are hiding something. Your trip to run small errands matter, even if it’s to the closest McDonald's. (Although we understand why you might want to hide that one.) It can also be easy to forget to record your end of the day mileage, but it’s vital to keep a record so that it matches your beginning of the day.

Be MPG Aware

Your MPG can fluctuate due to a number of factors. Weather, speed, idling, cargo weight, and road conditions. Keeping an eye out for changes in MPG will allow you to have better accuracy in your reports.

Keep Calm and Drive On

By adding the above habits to your daily work life, you eliminate a lot of stress that comes with filing an IFTA report. Audits can be terrifying. If you happen to get audited the best thing to do is remain calm and communicate. Remember that an audit is genuinely just a way to gain clarity; it is not a personal attack. Don’t avoid phone calls and emails, but be concise with your answers and keep in touch with your auditor. The calmer you are in approaching an audit, the smoother the process will go.

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Everything You Need To Know About The IFTA Deadline!

The 1st Quarter IFTA Deadline is April 30th!

But don’t forget your 1st Quarter IFTA Reporting deadline! Tax season can easily be the most stressful time of the year for many people, particularly for those who own their small business. Fuel tax can be particularly complicated.

If you’re late getting your 1st Quarter IFTA report together, we have the perfect solution to your IFTA filing problems!

Our sister product, ExpressIFTA, makes it easier than ever to file your IFTA reporting online in moments. You can generate your IFTA fuel tax report and use it to complete your return. They also have loads of information and 24/7 US-based customer support to keep you up to speed!

IFTA Reporting Made Easy!

You may be asking yourself, “so what exactly is this IFTA and why do I have to file one every quarter?”

IFTA, or the International Fuel Tax Agreement, was put in place by the lower 48 United States and 10 Canadian provinces. The idea was to simplify fuel reporting for those who use qualifying motor vehicles that travel between two or more jurisdictions.

Before IFTA was put into place, each state had its own rules and regulations to comply with. Fuel reporting was a complicated mess for everyone. Now each jurisdiction adheres to the quarterly IFTA report. IFTA reports determine the net tax refund that’s due and redistribute taxes from collecting states to states that owe.

Ok, enough of the history lesson. What exactly does that mean for you?

First, you must apply for your IFTA license with an IFTA application, and keep it visibly displayed in your cab at all times once you receive it. You also will receive an IFTA sticker that needs to be placed on your driver door. And then there’s your vehicle itself.

Your vehicle qualifies for IFTA if it travels between two or more jurisdictions and fits any of the following descriptions:

• Two axles and a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or more 
• Two axles and a registered gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or more 
• Three or more axles regardless of weight and/or exceeds 26,000 pounds or more in gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight

In order to complete your IFTA return you need to provide the following information:

• Total miles traveled per jurisdiction
• Total tax paid gallons of fuel purchased per jurisdiction
• Total gallons of fuel used per jurisdiction 
• Current tax rate per jurisdiction

And remember, you have to file your IFTA returns four times a year - wouldn’t that be easier with some help at your fingertips? Well believe it or not, but today is your lucky day! ExpressIFTA can make your 2019 1st Quarter IFTA reporting a breeze!
File Your IFTA Report Today With ExpressIFTA

ExpressIFTA will use your IFTA records to automatically calculate all of your IFTA totals with 100% accuracy. ExpressIFTA will then generate an easy-to-read quarterly IFTA report containing everything you need to instantly complete your return with your base jurisdiction. It can be downloaded, emailed, and printed in seconds! Since its the deadline, they even have a convenient bulk upload feature to file all your information at once!

Time is running out! Get started today by clicking the link now to easily file IFTA before the deadline.

File Your IFTA Report Now!

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The 4th Quarter IFTA Deadline is Here

We hope you are ready because the time has come: the January 31st 4th quarter IFTA deadline is almost here. This means that you need to file your IFTA report with your base jurisdiction or you’ll have outrageous penalties to face.

This could put you in a state of panic because, historically, IFTA has been a complicated process. Do you have time to set aside hours to calculate all of the IFTA totals needed to complete your return? If not, don’t worry. ExpressIFTA, the quick and easy online IFTA reporting solution is here to help.

4th Quarter IFTA Deadline: Jan 31st

Our goal at ExpressIFTA is to make the IFTA reporting process easier and faster to save you time. That’s why we’ve made it incredibly easy to import all of your information. Then we will use the data you enter to calculate all of your IFTA totals with 100% accuracy.

IFTA Reporting Instructions

All of your information will be generated in an easy-to-read IFTA report that can be printed, emailed, and used to complete your IFTA return with your base jurisdiction instantly. Best of all, the entire process can be completed in a matter of minutes!

To get started today, simply create your free account using your email address. You will register with your name, contact information, and primary language. We offer support and services in both English and Spanish.

Enter your business detail, including your address; it is important that this information match what is on filed in the IFTA database.

Next, you will enter your base jurisdiction, which is your home state or the state where your vehicle is registered.

After that, you will enter your vehicle information such as the number, make, model, and fuel type. You can enter multiple vehicles and drivers to tack the IFTA totals for your entire fleet.

Then you can enter your mileage information at your own pace. You can add your information per trip with trip sheet entries, enter your information for the entire month with the quick entry screen, or bulk upload all of your data.

To make importing even faster, you can upload all of your information directly from your GPS. We also accept ELD data.

Generate Your IFTA Report

Last, but not least, it’s time to generate your IFTA report! It will catch any basic errors that need to be corrected. Your IFTA report will also include any penalties, interest, credits/refunds based on your base jurisdiction's instructions.

Speaking of base jurisdictions, when you use your IFTA report to file your return, make sure you file according to your base jurisdiction's rules and regulations, Each state has their own filing requirement. For example, some require you to paper file while others require you to e-file. Learn about your state’s regulations here.

If you need any assistance, then please don’t hesitate to contact our live US-based ExpressIFTA support team.

File My IFTA Fuel Tax

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Important IRS Notice: Today is The Form 2290 Due Date 2018

Whoa, the deadline is here! Your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) Form 2290 due date 2018 is today, August 31st. You are officially out of time to procrastinate! You need to file today to avoid getting run over by major penalties.

However, don’t hit that panic button quite yet! Your friends here at ExpressIFTA have the perfect solution for you. Instead of standing in line at the IRS or running to the post office you can file Form 2290 online with the most trusted name in the industry, ExpressTruckTax.

File Form 2290 and receive your stamped Schedule 1 in a matter of minutes. Head on over to ExpressTruckTax and sign up for your FREE account now so you can get back to focusing on the road.

Need a little more information? Well, check out these helpful 2290 filing tips to get in and out fast.

HVUT Form 2290 Filing Tips

1. Make Sure You Have Your EIN

You need an EIN or Employer Identification number to complete your form. It’s how the IRS identifies your trucking business. You cannot file Form 2290 with your SSN (Social Security Number)! If you need to apply for an EIN, you can do so over the phone with our sister product, TSNAmerica.

2. You Can Pay With a Credit or Debit Card

Starting this truck tax season, the IRS is now allowing you to pay 2290 with credit card or debit! Or another option is to pay with direct debit or electronic funds withdrawal, by authorizing the IRS to debit the amount you owe from your bank account. To do this, you will need to provide your bank account and routing number, which can be found on one of your checks.

Or you can pay with the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, where you will create a free account at www.ettps.gov. The amount you owe will be debited from your bank account, but it could take up to 10 days to create your account.

If you want to, you can mail the amount you owe directly to the IRS with a check or money order. Just print your completed 2290-V (your payment voucher) from page 11 of your completed 2290 form and mail it with your payment.

3. File With ExpressTruckTax or TSNAmerica

Head to ExpressTruckTax and follow their step-by-step e-filing guide to file your HVUT Form 2290! Once you submit your completed Form 2290 to the IRS, you will receive your stamped Schedule 1 via email in minutes!

If you’re on the road, you don’t need to find a computer or IRS office to file. Simply download the ExpressTruckTax mobile app to your smartphone or tablet to file from the comfort of your own cab.

Start My Form 2290 Filing Today!

The Easiest Way to File Form 2290

Looking for an even easier way to file? Our sister product, TSNAmerica, is a full-service 2290 filing solution. The process is straightforward and will take less than 5 minutes. Simply give them your information over the phone, and they will file your IRS Form 2290 on your behalf. Once they have submitted your information to the IRS, you will receive a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 via email. Their outstanding bilingual team supports filing in both English and Spanish.

TSNAmerica: 803.386.0320

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How To Tackle Your HVUT 2290 Before It Tackles You

You know when your truck starts making weird noises and so you just blast that XM radio until you can’t hear everything falling apart? By not filing your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax 2290 (HVUT 2290), you’re just turning the radio up on your life. You need to file IRS Form 2290 by Friday, August 31st to continue operating legally within the United States, so what are you waiting for?

Oh right, for your HVUT 2290 filing to be less of a hassle. Well, good news! Our sister product ExpressTruckTax can help you e-file 2290 and get your stamped Schedule 1 in less time than it takes to zipper merge with your haul in rush hour.

How To Tackle Your HVUT 2290 Before It Tackles You

Some background on the HVUT and why ignoring the metaphorical clunking sound it’s making is bad:

The HVUT 2290 applies to any vehicle traveling public highways that weighs 50,000 pounds or more. This weight, called the taxable gross weight or gross vehicle weight (GVW), does not include any loads, but it does include whatever it takes for the truck to function (except for your foot on the pedal. Don’t figure your own weight into your GVW).


IRS Form 2290 needs to be filed by the last day of the month in the month following your first month on the road. So if your rig’s first day out on the town is in October, you’ll need to file your HVUT 2290 by November 30th of the next year. The current HVUT period began on July 1, 2018, so if you were driving your truck during last year’s HVUT period, you need to file a new IRS Form 2290 by Friday, August 31.

Why You Need To File IRS Form 2290

Simply put, not filing your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is illegal. Your receipt for filling your HVUT 2290 is your Schedule 1, which allows you to renew your plates, travel across borders, and operate legally on highways. The DOT and DMV both recognize your Schedule 1, and you may be asked for it if you get pulled over, so you best have a valid one in your glove box.

How to E-File 2290

This is the part where we tell you how it gets better. If you file 2290 online, you can stop worrying about pushing off getting your stamped Schedule 1, and you can stop worrying about if you’re going to fill out your IRS Form 2290 right.

Our sister product ExpressTruckTax offers a step-by-step guide to help you pretty instantly complete your 2290 form and receive a copy of that stamped Schedule 1. Plus, ExpressTruckTax makes it incredibly easy to make sure your information is right––even after you’ve already sent your HVUT 2290 to the IRS.

ExpressTruckTax does an internal error-check on your HVUT before it even goes out, but if there are still things you need to change you can file amendments, edit your form, and even make free VIN corrections.

Also, with the ExpressTruckTax app, you can file from any location at any time with your mobile device. Meaning you can file even if you’re out on a haul!

The HVUT 2290 deadline is Friday, August 31st. You don’t have a ton of time, but don’t you dare turn that radio back up and ignore your HVUT. Instead, head straight for ExpressTruckTax and get it off your mind, and off your plate.


Trust us when we say that the DOT will not understand having expired tags.

File My 2290

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Easy E-Filing Instructions To Help You Complete Your IRS 2290

Don’t let your 2290 deadline stay in your blind spot! Also known as your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT), your IRS Form 2290 is due the last day of the month following the month it was first used. For those of you who have a Schedule 1 that expired on June 30th, 2018, your IRS 2290 is due August 31st. Yes, the one next week. But before you panic, check out these easy e-filing instructions to help you complete your IRS 2290 with our sister product ExpressTruckTax.

What You’ll Need To Complete Your IRS 2290

Before we get started, make sure you have everything you need for the journey. In order to e-file your 2290, have your credit card on hand. Make sure you also have your vehicle information, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and your taxable gross weight (how much the truck weighs when fully equipped for service but not including any loads). If you’re filing a Form 2290 at all, your gross weight is 55,000 lbs or more (that’s the minimum weight required to file the HVUT). Your VIN will be 17 characters, including numbers and letters.

If you are an owner-operator you will also need to have your Employer Identification Number (EIN) on you for the e-filing process. This number is a string of nine digits, similar to your Social Security Number, but formatted like 12-3456789.

Note: If you try to file your IRS 2290 using your Social Security Number instead of your EIN, the IRS will reject your 2290.

E-File 2290 With These Easy Steps

Step 1:
Using your email address and password, create a free account with our sister product ExpressTruckTax.


Step 2:
Click the orange “Start New Return’” button and enter the basic information for your trucking business (Name, address, and EIN) that we mentioned a few paragraphs ago.


Step 3:
Enter your tax year and your vehicle’s first used month. ExpressTruckTax bases their Form 2290 filing on your vehicle’s first used month, and so your 2290 is considered due the last day of the month following when it is was first used. 

If your current Schedule 1 for the 2017-2018 season expired on June 30th, 2018, you’ll need to file with ExpressTruckTax before the August 31st, 2290 due date to ensure the IRS accepts your information.

Step 4:
Enter your vehicle information, which will include the taxable gross weight and Vehicle Identification Number. If your vehicle was exclusively used for logging or agricultural purposes, you can indicate that and receive a break on your 2290. You may even be exempt, but don’t get too excited––you will still need to file to receive your stamped Schedule 1 and continue operating legally. If your vehicle is suspended, you’ll need to indicate that as you complete your IRS 2290.


Step 5:
As part of the service, ExpressTruckTax calculates the tax amount you owe the IRS. After this amount has been generated, you can pick from one of the following payment options: Pay 2290 with the credit card, electronic funds withdrawal, direct debit, debit card, money order, EFTPS, or check.



Step 6:
ExpressTruckTax will then give you the ability to review all your information and make corrections if necessary. Their system will perform an instant internal audit that will ensure your 2290 filing is error-free, but it never hurts to double- or triple-check your VIN and EIN on your own.


Step 7:
After any corrections are made, you have the ability to transmit your completed 2290 form directly to the IRS. Just enter a 5-digit code of your choice at the bottom of your form to electronically sign and transmit, and then you’re good to go!


Step 8:
Back away from the keyboard. You did it! Your stamped Schedule 1 will be on its way to you in minutes, and you will be set until 2019.

File My 2290 Now

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