Author: Marcela De Vivo

Today is the 3rd Quarter IFTA Deadline

Posted on November 2, 2020 by - IFTA reporting

That’s right! Todays is the third quarter IFTA deadline. You will need to complete your IFTA return by midnight or you will have some major penalties to face. If this deadline snuck up on you and you’re wondering how you’ll ever make the deadline, don’t worry! 

Check out our awesome sister product, ExpressIFTA to easily handle all of your IFTA reporting needs online. You can quickly generate your IFTA report and use it to complete your return. Plus, we’re here to go over all the IFTA basics so you’ll be up to speed.

Today is the 3rd Quarter IFTA Deadline

Before we drive headlong into today’s IFTA reporting deadline, let’s review the basics of what you need to know.

What is IFTA?

If you are asking yourself “What is IFTA?” then you are in worse shape than I expected. But don’t worry I got you. The International Fuel Tax Agreement, or IFTA, quarterly fuel tax report allows you to travel in all participating member jurisdictions with a single fuel tax license. To operate in two or more jurisdictions, you are required to have an IFTA sticker and license.

You receive your IFTA stickers and license through you base jurisdiction which is your home state or where your vehicle is registered. Your IFTA license needs to be renewed annually in December. When you hold an IFTA license, you are required to file an IFTA quarterly fuel tax report that shows and calculated how much fuel tax you owe (or are credited) to remain compliant.

In short, IFTA is used to report and determine the net tax refund that’s due and to redistribute taxes from collecting states to due states. This agreement is between the lower 48 United States and 10 Canadian provinces, this regulation was put into place to simplify fuel reporting by those who use qualified motor vehicles.

Your vehicle qualifies for IFTA reporting if:

  • Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,00 pounds
  • Has two axles and a registered gross weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
  • Has three or more axles regardless of weight
  • Or has a combined weight exceeding 26,000 pounds

To complete your IFTA report you need to provide the following information:

  • The total miles traveled per jurisdiction
  • The total gallons of fuel consumed per jurisdiction
  • The total tax paid gallons of fuel purchased per jurisdiction, and 
  • The current tax rate per jurisdiction 

File Your IFTA Fuel Tax Report

Our sister product, ExpressIFTA, makes it easy to import all of your IFTA information online in one convenient location. Use your IFTA reports to automatically calculate all fo your IFTA totals with 100% accuracy.

Your IFTA fuel tax rates will be generated in an easy-to-read quarterly IFTA report that contains everything you need to complete your return. Instantly print, download, or email your information at any time.

Today is the deadline for filing IFTA!! If you fail to file before midnight today you could be looking at major penalties.

September FUM 2290 Deadline

If you put a truck on the road in September 2020, your Form 2290 for that vehicle is also today, November 2, 2020!

File your 2290 in minutes with ExpressTruckTax!

Announcing A New Full-Service UCR Solution For Truckers

Posted on October 30, 2020 by - UCR

Here at ExpressTruckTax, we are always looking for ways to make life easier for America’s truckers.

That’s why we want to let you know that ExpressTruckTax Plus now has a full-service UCR registration service! All you need to do is call one of the expert customer support representatives at ExpressTruckTax Plus, provide your information, and they’ll take care of your UCR registration for you! It’s just like their Form 2290 solution!

Not sure if you need UCR Registration? Here’s what you need to know.

What is UCR registration?

The Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA) is a federally regulated program for commercial motor vehicles that travel interstate.

Who has to register under the UCRA?

Every motor carrier based in one of these states that travels interstate must register. If you are based in a state that does not participate, you don’t need to worry about UCR registration.

When do I have to register for UCR?

The UCR registration deadline is on December 31, 2020.

What information do I need to register?

You will need:

  • Information about your company including company name and address, owner name, and USDOT number.
  • The Make, Model/Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Number of Passengers, License Plate Number, and State, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of each vehicle you wish register.

Register today!

Call ExpressTruckTax Plus today at (877) 520-8640 and register quickly! Their knowledgeable experts will take care of everything you need!

IFTA Fuel Tax Penalties That Will Make You Want to File Now

Posted on October 21, 2020 by - IFTA reporting

 
The IFTA fuel tax deadline is right around the corner!

Don’t wait any longer – Failing to file IFTA by the end of the month will lead to a serious headache.

The fuel tax isn’t something you can just avoid. Ignoring it will simply make IFTA filing even more expensive than it originally was.

This is a quarterly tax, so stay on top of deadlines. The 3rd quarter deadline is November 2.

Here’s what happens if you miss the deadline.

IFTA Fuel Tax Penalties That Will Make You Want to File Now

Late Fuel Tax Filing

You are responsible for filing your IFTA tax return on time.

If you don’t, you’ll face a fee of $50 or 10% of your tax, whichever is higher.

On top of that, you’ll be charged interest for each month that your IFTA fuel tax goes un-filed, and you’ll have to pay this interest for every jurisdiction you owe money to.

Why Should You File?

If heavy penalties aren’t enough motivation to file, consider this.

Ultimately, if your IFTA tax return is never filed and your fuel tax remains unpaid, your license will be revoked.

You need to file an IFTA tax return if your vehicle:

–  Has 2 axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross weight > 26,000 pounds
–  Has 3 or more axles regardless of weight
–  Has a combined weight > 26,000 pounds

 

How To Avoid IFTA Fuel Tax Penalties

IFTA filing is simple. There should be no reason for you to miss the fuel tax deadline.

ExpressTruckTax offers a service for IFTA form generation online in one convenient location.

We will generate your IFTA fuel tax rates for you in an easy-to-read quarterly IFTA report with everything you need to complete your return.

You can print, download, or email this information at any time.

Plus, with features like bulk & GPS data upload, pre-auditing, a free IFTA Tax Calculator, and US-based customer support, you’ll be done with your fuel tax in no time.

A Streamlined IRS Form 2290 Filing Solution For Tax Professionals

Posted on October 19, 2020 by - Tax professionals

Looking for an easier way to manage Form 2290 for all your clients? 

Look no further than ExpressTruckTax!

We offer tons of great features for tax professionals to manage 2290 filings for their clients. You work all year to provide a much-needed service for truckers so we make it our business to provide unparalleled service for you!

The benefits of e-filing with ExpressTruckTax include:

  • Managing an unlimited number of businesses and EIN’s from a single login. That’s right, only one password to remember!
  • Filtering for businesses or specific trucks using our Advanced Search option. 
  • Import business and truck information with Bulk Upload features so you can start e-filing immediately. 
  • Special pricing – CPAs can purchase prepaid credits for all their 2290 filing with a 10% discount.
  • Separate portal access for their clients to e-Sign Form 8453-EX.

Head over to ExpressTruckTax.com and create a new account (it’s free!). Here’s how to set up your CPA account.

Only 3 Steps to Manage 2290 Filing for your Clients

Step 1: Create Account and Enter Your Business Details

  • Enter your email address and a password of your choice, and be sure to check the box “Are You a Tax Professional?” to ensure you create the right kind of account.
  • Enter your CPA Details into the Tax Professional Profile page. First, check whether you own your own firm (and have an EIN) OR are self-employed (don’t have an EIN).
  • Enter your PTIN. The PTIN (Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number) is required by the IRS for all paid tax return preparers.
  • Finally, enter your full name, address, and contact information, and hit “Create”.
Add Business Manually

Step 2: Add Businesses

Now to enter the details of each business you intend to e-file Form 2290 for. There are two ways do this:

Option 1: Manual Entry

If you’re looking to add only one or two businesses to your account and file a return right away, this is the best option for you.

For manual entry, simply add the Name, EIN, address & contact info for the business. Then indicate whether you have Power of Attorney (a current Form 2848 filed with the IRS). If yes, you must enter the “Valid Up To” date for when your power of attorney expires.

Finally, enter the name, phone number, and title of the Signing Authority. In most cases, this will be you, unless your client chooses to maintain it him or herself.

Add Business Details Manually

Option 2: Bulk Upload

In the top right corner of the Add Business screen, you’ll notice the Quick Links section. Select the first link “Bulk Upload Businesses” and you’ll be taken to this screen with instructions to bulk upload the businesses into your ExpressTruckTax account.

Bulk Upload Form 2290 Business Details

To Bulk Upload a business, you will be prompted to

1) Download our Excel Template File and save it to your computer.

2) Copy and paste all of the business details into the Excel Template.

3) And Upload the Excel File back into ExpressTruckTax.

Step 3. Add Taxable Vehicles

At this stage, you can simply select a business and start a Form 2290 for one or more of their vehicles. However, if you want to save all their vehicle information for quick filing, there are two methods for saving vehicles.

Option 1: Manual Entry

First, be sure you’re adding vehicles to the correct business. To switch back and forth between businesses, just select the business you’d like to manage from your Business List on the right side of your screen. The business highlighted in dark blue is the one you are currently editing. 

Once you’ve selected the business, head over to the Truck Zone tab on the top menu, and then select “Add New Vehicle”. Enter the vehicle’s VIN, Gross Weight, and whether it is suspended, licensed for agriculture, or used for logging.

Additionally, you can enter the make, model, license plate number, and even the truck’s IFTA details or state-specific permit numbers.

Manually Add Form 2290 Vehicle Details

Option 2: Bulk Upload to TruckZone

Another great feature for CPA’s, you can Bulk Upload hundreds or thousands of vehicles at a time. Select Express Upload to use our Excel Template (same procedure as for uploading businesses), or use our Smart Upload for the smoothest experience. With the Smart Upload feature, you can import data from any file type by uploading the file and matching each of your categories to ours.

Bulk Upload Form 2290 Vehicle Details

Whether you manually enter trucks as you go, or Bulk Upload them all at once, all of the vehicle information will be securely stored in Truck Zone and easily accessible through the Advanced Search option. Filter vehicles by VIN, gross weight, etc, to quickly and easily find the trucks you’d like to file for. Then check each to add to the tax return.

Access our Frequently asked questions and their answers for tax professionals.

Learn more about special pricing for CPAs

Call our team now to get set-up with special pricing. We’re available at 704.234.6005. You can also chat with us online or get 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com.

Ready to Explore our Tax Professional Solution?

What You Need to File Your IFTA Tax Return

Posted on October 16, 2020 by - IFTA reporting

Don’t forget about the 3rd quarter IFTA fuel tax deadline on November 2! To help you get this tax filed quickly, here is what you need to file your IFTA tax return online in a matter of minutes.

What You Need to File Your IFTA Tax Return

  • Total miles traveled per jurisdiction
  • The total amount of fuel purchased per jurisdiction
  • The total amount of fuel consumed per jurisdiction
  • The current tax rate per jurisdiction
  • The amount of tax paid per gallon of fuel per jurisdiction

Steps to E-File Your IFTA Quarterly Return

  1. Create ExpressTruckTax Account
  2. Enter Business Details
  3. Indicated Base Jurisdiction
  4. Enter Vehicle Details
  5. Miles & Fuel Records
  6. Generate Your IFTA Report
  7. File With Your Base Jurisdiction

When is the IFTA Due Date?

Your July through September records for the 3rd quarter IFTA deadline are due to the IRS by November 2, 2020 (because October 31 is a Saturday).

Quarter PeriodsReporting PeriodDue Dates
1st QuarterJanuary -MarchApril 30
2nd QuarterApril – JuneJuly 31
3rd QuarterJuly – SeptemberOctober 31
4th QuarterOctober – DecemberJanuary 31

Looking For an IFTA Software?

ExpressTruckTax‘s sister product ExpressIFTA is full of innovative features to help you complete your IFTA quarterly fuel tax report. All you have to do to get started is create your free account, enter your business information, specify your base jurisdiction, enter your vehicle details, list your miles and fuel records, and generate your IFTA quarterly fuel tax report.

Say goodbye to the days of complicated calculations. ExpressIFTA’s software will accurately calculate your IFTA fuel tax rates and IFTA tax based on the information provided. Never worry about over or underpaying again.

Plus, their built-in diagnostic error audit can be run on your reports to catch any fundamental filing errors based on your estimated miles per gallon. It will recognize when miles traveled aren’t between adjacent states, and if you purchased fuel in a state you have not traveled in.

Everything You Need to Know About Form 2290 Taxable Vehicles

Posted on October 13, 2020 by - Taxable Heavy Vehicle

Every commercial motor vehicle with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more must file a Form 2290 every year.

However, while everyone must file a Form 2290, not everyone must pay the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT).

Some vehicles are Form 2290 tax-exempt and do not need to pay taxes to the IRS.

Taxable Vehicles

Most commercial motor vehicles will be subject to HVUT. Every vehicle that has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more and drives more than 5,000 miles (7,500 for agricultural vehicles) must file Form 2290 and pay heavy vehicles use taxes.

The taxable gross weight of your vehicle is a sum of the following:

1. The actual unloaded weight of a fully equipped vehicle.

2. The actual unloaded weight of any trailers or semi-trailers that is fully equipped and is generally used in combination with the vehicle. 

3. The weight of the maximum load usually carried on the vehicle and the trailers or semi-trailers. 

HVUT Exempt Vehicles

Low mileage

If you do not drive a vehicle more than 5,000 miles in a tax year, that vehicle is considered tax-exempt! You will need to file a Form 2290 to stay up-to-date with the IRS, but you will not need to pay HVUT.

Agricultural

An agricultural vehicle is defined as a vehicle used exclusively for farming purposes and registered as a highway motor vehicle that is used for farming purposes. 

Agricultural vehicles will also be tax-exempt if they are driven less than 7,500 miles on public roads.

File your Form 2290 today

If you have a commercial motor vehicle you will need to file a Form 2290! There’s no easier way to file than with ExpressTruckTax! The e-filing process is easy to understand and only takes a few minutes.

How to Have Your 2290 Schedule 1 Sent Automatically to Your Carrier

Posted on October 8, 2020 by - 2290 Schedule 1

If you’re a company driver, you’ll need to file your Form 2290 and get one copy of your stamped Schedule 1 for yourself and another copy as proof of payment for your carrier.

ExpressTruckTax simplifies that process by sending your Schedule 1 to your carrier for you.

Here’s what you need to know about 2290 carrier notifications from ExpressTruckTax.

When you finish e-filing your Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax, it will be transmitted directly to the IRS for approval. In most cases, the IRS will accept the return within a few minutes and send back your stamped Schedule 1.

How to send your 2290 Schedule 1 to your carrier

There are two ways to get your HVUT proof of payment sent to your carrier.

1. Use your carrier’s unique ExpressTruckTax portal.

We partner with some of the largest carriers in the nation! Find out if your carrier has an existing portal with us using this list. 

If you find your carrier, simply file your 2290 through their portal. Your stamped Schedule 1 will automatically be sent to them!

2. Enter your carrier’s information after you file.

If you cannot find your carrier in our list our partners, don’t worry! Simply log in to ExpressTruckTax and file your Form 2290! Once your return has been transmitted to the IRS, go to “Add Carrier Details” under the Carrier Notification tab. 

Here you can provide the contact information for your carrier. As soon as your return is accepted by the IRS and your stamped Schedule 1 comes back to your ExpressTruckTax account, we will send it to your carrier immediately. 

Simplify your Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax

Don’t waste time waiting for your Schedule 1 to get to you or your carrier in the mail. Finish the entire 2290 process in just a few minutes with ExpressTruckTax!

Should I Report Reefer Fuel On My IFTA Return?

Posted on October 6, 2020 by - IFTA reporting

IFTA tax is a quarterly tax, meaning there are 4 IFTA deadlines.

The 3rd quarter IFTA deadline is November 2 – Are you prepared?

IFTA reporting covers a multitude of states, each with different rules.

So, what are the specific guidelines on reefer fuel and how do they affect IFTA filing?

IFTA Filing & Reefer Fuel

Reefer Fuel

A reefer is a refrigerated trailer or shipping container used for transport of temperature-sensitive cargo.

Refrigeration units that use reefer fuel are not taxed like other fuel.

The main takeaway is that reefer fuel is NOT included in IFTA filing when it is used to power the refrigeration unit of the trailer.

You should always purchase reefer fuel on a separate fuel receipt when fueling your power unit.

Pumping reefer fuel on the same fuel receipt will lower your MPG and cost you more IFTA fuel tax. Plus, in the event of an IFTA audit, you will be penalized and incur added interest.

IFTA Reporting Guidelines

You’re entitled to a tax refund on every gallon of reefer fuel purchased. To complete the federal tax refund form, you’ll need the total number of gallons purchased during the tax year.

In return, the IRS will send you a check for the amount of federal tax paid on each gallon.

If you forget to file for this refund, you can file up to 3 years back to claim it after the fact.

Before you start IFTA reporting, you’ll want to check with your base jurisdiction to see how they handle reefer fuel.

For instance, in some states if you have only one tank that both propels your vehicle and runs refrigeration, all fuel is included in IFTA fuel tax. If you have two separate containers, you’ll need to fuel separately and keep receipts.

Check with your base jurisdiction to make sure you understand their specific process for reefer fuel.

File IFTA Online

IFTA reporting can be tricky, but save yourself the time and headache when you file IFTA online.

ExpressIFTA will generate your IFTA fuel tax form for you, as well as accurate IFTA fuel tax calculations.

To file IFTA online, simply create a free account, enter your information, and generate your IFTA fuel tax form.

Then, all that’s left is to file your IFTA fuel tax with your base jurisdiction.

How do you correct an IRS Form 2290 that has been rejected?

Posted on October 5, 2020 by - Form 2290 rejection

Form 2290 rejection can happen to anyone.

The IRS typically rejects returns for one of three reasons:

  1. The Business Name entered does not match with the EIN listed in the IRS database.
  2. The Bank Routing Number entered in the Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW) payment option to pay your HVUT is invalid.
  3. The return is a duplicate of a previously accepted return. Typically, this is because either the EIN or VIN is incorrect.

For more information about these reasons for rejections, click here. But once your return is rejected, what do you do?

How to correct and IRS Form 2290

When you file with ExpressTruckTax, we will notify you as soon as your return is rejected or accepted. If it is rejected, we will also tell you why it was rejected and how to fix it. Retransmitting rejected returns is always free.

Plus, with our ExpressGuarantee, our US-based customer support team will do everything they can to get your return accepted, or your money back. (Learn more about our ExpressGuarantee.)

If your 2290 was rejected because the business information was incorrect, simply log into your ExpressTruckTax account and edit your business details.

If your 2290 was rejected for either of the other reasons, simply click on the return that was rejected in your ExpressTruckTax account. Click on “Fix Errors & Resubmit”. The system will ask you a few questions to help you correct the error. Depending on the issue, you will be taken to the section that needs updating. 

Correct your 2290 now

It only takes a few minutes to correct and retransmit your rejected Form 2290! 

Plus our US-based customer support team is here to help get your 2290 accepted! You can give them a call at (704) 234-6005, between 9am and 6pm EST, Monday through Friday.

We’re Back With More Exciting ExpressStats From August 2020!

Posted on October 1, 2020 by - American truckers

Our second edition of ExpressStats just dropped!

Head on over to https://www.expresstrucktax.com/express-stats/ to see a snapshot of trucking data from our clients during the busiest Form 2290 month of the year!

ExpressStats is a composite of trends among our clients (it includes no personal information). You’ll find great aggregated information about the most popular truck brand, biggest trucking city and state, and much much more!

We know this will be a valuable resource to help you stay engaged and informed about current trends in the trucking industry.

To download the August 2020 ExpressStats: Trends Among American Truckers, click here. Simply enter your contact information and we will email you ExpressStats!