What New Truckers Need To Know About IFTA Reporting
If you are new to the trucking industry let me just say congratulations on earning your CDL and completing your driving training. We completely understand that team driving is not the easiest thing to get through. However, you’re not completely out of the woods yet.
You still have a lot to learn about the road and that will only come from being behind the wheel. But, you will also need to learn how to manage all of the required trucking taxes. Everything from Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, your IRP, and of course your IFTA quarterly fuel tax report. To help you get started here is what new truckers need to know about IFTA reporting.
What New Truckers Need To Know About IFTA Reporting
IFTA, or the International Fuel Tax Agreement, is an arrangement between 48 of the United States and 10 Canadian provinces to report fuel use by motor carriers that operate in more than one jurisdiction (state). The IFTA fuel tax redistributes fuel taxes equally among the jurisdictions.
To show you filed your IFTA return and pay the taxes owed by the deadline you will be issued an IFTA license and IFTA stickers. The license should be kept in your truck at all times and the IFTA stickers are displayed under your driver’s side window.
Vehicle Qualifications For IFTA Reporting
Your vehicle qualifies for IFTA reporting if it travels between more than one jurisdiction and:
- Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
- Has two axles and a registered weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
- Has a combination weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
- Has three or more axles regardless of weight
IFTA Quarterly Fuel Tax Report Requirements
You are required to complete an IFTA report four times a year and file with your base jurisdiction (home state). Your base jurisdiction is where your qualifying vehicles are required to be registered and where your information is available in the event of an IFTA audit.
To complete your IFTA fuel tax return you will need to report:
- The total miles traveled per jurisdiction including taxable and nontaxable, IFTA and non-IFTA, and trip permit miles
- The total gallons of fuel consumed in each jurisdiction including taxable and nontaxable, IFTA, and trip permit miles
- The number of gallons of fuel purchased per jurisdiction
- The tax paid on each gallon of fuel purchased per jurisdiction
- And the current tax rate per jurisdiction
File With The Best IFTA Software Available
File Your IFTA Return
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