Author: Marcela De Vivo

Perks for Owner-Operators

Posted on August 18, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, HVUT, Owner Operators, Partners, Schedule 1, Truck Tax

ExpressTruckTax PartnersRunning a trucking business isn’t easy, especially during tax time, but here at ExpressTruckTax, we’ve got you covered!

We work very closely with some amazing owner-operator based associations as well as one-on-one with several fantastic trucking companies. Navigating a trucking business around HVUT season might seem like a nightmare, but with the perks we offer to owner-operators, we can turn that nightmare into a dream come true.

We’ve partnered with Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), America’s Independent Trucker’s Association (AITA), National Minority Trucking Association (NMTA), and South Carolina Trucking Association (SCTA) and even more amazing associations in order to make e-filing for truck taxes so much easier.

And we’re succeeding in helping tons of truckers and owner-operators file their Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, and get their Stamped Schedule 1 in minutes!

Here are just a few of the ways we help our Owner-Operators succeed during the HVUT season. If you’re a member of one of these associations, what are you waiting for? It’s time to start reaping the benefits.

  • Customized E-filing Portals
    • Our owner-operators enjoy a customized ExpressTruckTax portal on their company websites where they can e-file with ease.
  • Never Lose Another Day of Work for HVUT
    • When you e-file with ExpressTruckTax, or your personalized tax portal, you can do it directly from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. You don’t have to wait in line at the IRS office, or worry about making an appointment just to file. 
  • Educational Materials about Taxes
    • Figuring out how to file HVUT can be tough. That’s why ExpressTruckTax provides our partners with some much needed materials to educate their owner-operators and members on how to correctly file their taxes and stay current with IRS regulations.
  • 24/7 Free Support
    • We’re there for our you for 24/7, no matter what! We can address problems anytime of day (or night) and get them handled quickly and professionally.
  • Free Automatic E-mail with Stamped Schedule 1
    • As soon as you e-file, you’ll get your Stamped Schedule 1 e-mailed to you automatically! You can also select other options to receive your Stamped Schedule 1 by fax, postal mail, or you can download it directly from your truck tax dashboard.

And these are things nobody else is doing. But with us, our customers will always come first and get the best service and product available. It’s just that simple!

If you need any help e-filing your HVUT or using your personalized portal, don’t hesitate to ask our dedicated support legends. All you have to do is call them at 704.234.6005 or send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

No Longer Operating a Heavy Vehicle: A Guide to the Final Return

Posted on August 17, 2015 by - Credit vehicles, Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, form 2290 credit vehicle, HVUT

If you’ve e-filed with us before, you may have noticed an option to select “Final Return” at the step where you enter your first-use-date and filing year. But what exactly does selecting “Final Return” mean?

In the past, selecting “final return” on your 2290 meant that you could no longer e-file your HVUT, but now the IRS wants you to select “Final Return” when you no longer have a vehicle to e-file for.

Whether your vehicle has been sold, stolen, or destroyed, if you no longer have a Heavy Vehicle to e-file for, you should choose “Final Return”. And in the event you find yourself with a new vehicle and able to file your HVUT again, all you have to do is e-file normally.

Where to Find “Final Return”

At the beginning of your return, after you enter your business information, and select your filing year, you’ll find an option to select “Final Return” at the bottom of the page.

Only select this option if you no longer have a vehicle to file for. If this is not your final return, simply file your return as normal.

Is It Any Different than Filing Normally?

Filing for your final return will be the same as filing from year to year, with the small difference of selecting “Final Return,” and adding a credit vehicle instead of a suspended or taxable vehicle.

Reporting Stolen, Sold, and Damaged Vehicles

When you file your return, there’s a whole section dedicated to credit vehicles. These are vehicles that were sold, traded in, lost, or destroyed during the tax year. If this is your final return, you’re only going to be entering a Credit Vehicle.


Once you get to the “Credit Vehicle” section of your return, simply add your vehicle information in the pop-up window. You will need to know your VIN, first-used month, gross-vehicle weight, and whether your vehicle was used for logging.

Then it’s time to indicate your “Loss Event.” These event reasons come in the form of a drop down menu and all you have to do is select the reason you no longer have your vehicle. Was it sold, destroyed, or stolen?

If the vehicle was sold, you will need the information of the person you sold it to in order to file your return. Then just add the date this event happened for that specific loss event, and move onto the next part of your return.

If you need any help with e-filing or have questions about when to select your final return, our dedicated support legends are here for you. Just give them a call at 704.234.6005 or send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in both English and Spanish.

The Countdown is On: Everything You Need to Know About Your Stamped Schedule 1

Posted on August 13, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, HVUT, Schedule 1

Getting your Stamped Schedule 1 is important. This proves to the DMV and the IRS that you are up-to-date on your Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, and you are now able to renew the registration on your heavy vehicle.

Getting a Stamped Schedule 1 when you e-file is easy, but maybe you find yourself with a few questions along the way. Such as:

  • How can you tell if you really got the right document? 
  • How do you get a Stamped Schedule 1? 
  • How do you get a new one if you lost your previous copy?

Well we’ve got you covered, Trucking Nation! Here’s everything you’ve ever wanted to know about your Stamped Schedule 1.

The first and most important thing you need to know about your Stamped Schedule 1 is that it comes with a handy-dandy IRS e-filing watermark.

This watermark will be located very faintly in the middle of your Schedule 1 along with the date the IRS accepted your return. It should look like this:

Without this stamp, your return is invalid.

How do I get my Stamped Schedule 1?

Now that you know what it looks like, you may be wondering how you go about getting a Stamped Schedule 1. Well, there are a number of ways for you to receive your proof of filing:

  • The first way you can get your Stamped Schedule 1 is right after you file. When you file with ExpressTruckTax, we will automatically send it to you via email.
  • If you don’t want to receive your Stamped Schedule 1 by email, and you would like to have a paper copy, we can arrange that for you. We offer postal mail delivery of your Form 2290 along with your Stamped Schedule 1. All you have to do is select the option to receive your Stamped Schedule 1 by postal mail.
  • Finally, you can choose to receive your Stamped Schedule 1 by fax, and you can also have it faxed to as many numbers as you’d like. That means you can fax one to yourself, one to your carrier, and one to virtually anyone who needs that information about your heavy vehicle. 

What Happens if I lose it?

  • In the case that you’ve lost, misplaced, or simply need another copy of your Stamped Schedule 1, retrieving it will be easy.
  • To retrieve another copy of your Stamped Schedule 1, all you have to do is login to your ExpressTruckTax account and you can view, and download your stamped Schedule 1 any time, right from your dashboard, for free!
  • And if you’ve already submitted your return, but you want to fax your Schedule 1 to yourself or someone else, that is also possible. And we can do it for free! All you have to do is head to your Dashboard, and enter the fax numbers of everyone you want to receive your Stamped Schedule 1. And that’s it!
E-filing for your HVUT is not only faster, but you essentially get endless copies of your Stamped Schedule 1, just in case there’s an accident or you misplace it anywhere. That way you can put your mind at ease and renew your vehicle registration with no problem. And when you e-file with ExpressTruckTax, all your information is secure, and the whole processes is easy, and fast!

If you need any help e-filing and getting your Stamped Schedule 1, our dedicated support legends are here for you! Just give them a call at 704.234.6005 during our new extended business hours from 8AM to 8PM EST. Or you can even send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

It’s a Celebration, Our Parent Company Has Made the INC 5000

Posted on August 12, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, INC 5000, SPAN Enterprises

We are truly humbled to have our parent company SPAN Enterprises rank 1150 in 2015 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. We are also happy to report that SPAN is ranked #11 in the Charlotte Metro Area, and #1 in South Carolina for The Fastest-Growing Software Company in the entire state.

When we began our work in Rock Hill, SC, there were just 6 employees with a big dream. We didn’t feel like winners, not at first, but as we grew it became apparent that we really were so much bigger than we could have ever hoped for. Now we’ve gone from 6 to over 30 employees and several more products.

From ExpressTruckTax, an entire suite of e-filing products was born, including ExpressIFTA, ExpressExtension, ExpressTaxFilings, and Express990. And we’re still growing.

ExpressTruckTax began several years ago with a mission to make filing Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes easier. Not only do we provide a great product and superior customer service, we also maintain our position as a leader in the truck tax industry. We want nothing more than to make your truck tax experience as quick and painless as possible.

We’re so happy and passionate about bringing a product to the market that people love. In fact, we’ve brought several easy-to-use and well-loved products to the trucking industry, and we’re not going to stop anytime soon. We won’t sleep until we’ve made e-filing truck taxes, extensions, amendments, and more so easy they practically file themselves.

And unlike some of other truck tax and e-filing programs available on the market, we have a USA-Based support team that can answer your questions all year long. We believe wholeheartedly in creating jobs here in the states for people who need them, so we train our support team to be able to answer any question you throw at them–without having to read from a pre-written script.

And we do all of this from the small town of Rock Hill, South Carolina. We’re more than just a company, we’re more than just ExpressTruckTax, we’re a community. A community of tight-knit individuals who have come together to be a part of supporting truckers and the trucking industry.

While we’re still growing and getting better, we will still remain a small community at heart, which is one of the reasons why, after so many years, we have not raised our prices. We will still be the same legendary support team with the same small town values. We haven’t outgrown our town, and we never will. We will continue to bring jobs to the people of Rock Hill even as we grow bigger and bigger.

Without all of your love and support, we would have never made it this far. So thank you, Trucking Nation for supporting our dreams, and for supporting our product. We look forward to working and growing with you for many years to come.

Because we will never, ever forget where we started.

#TruckTechTuesday: Fleetmatics and ExpressIFTA

Posted on August 11, 2015 by - #TruckTechTuesday, ExpressIFTA, Expresstrucktax.com, IFTA, New GPS


It’s #TruckTechTuesday, Trucking Nation! And you know what that means, we’re going to talk about how to make your trucking experience better with apps and accessories.

This week, it’s all about trucker-centric GPS. These are specialized GPS systems that help truckers follow the right roads, stay safe, and avoid violations of the trucking rule book. One of the best trucking GPS systems on the market right now is Fleetmatics.

Fleetmatics is a GPS solution to save you on fuel costs, and it can potentially save you some on your insurance premiums. This GPS is designed specifically for trucker safety, and it’s GPS files are trusted by ExpressIFTA!

When you use Fleetmatics in order to haul goods from place to place, you get more than just a GPS system. You can also create detailed digital trucking logs, fuel and mileage logs for IFTA, and it will help you avoid roads not made for trucks. That means no more turning around, or finding yourself at a loss for where to go. That can definitely save you time, and fuel! Plus, since it’s integrated with ExpressIFTA, there’s no guess work when it comes to filing for your fuel taxes.


And that’s not all. You can also get real-time HOS status information, both on the road and in the office. Plus Fleetmatics is all about staying compliant with the entire trucking handbook. It can even send proactive alerts to drivers in real time that can help prevent violations. And it can send alerts to ExpressIFTA, and you can upload all of your GPS information to ExpressIFTA as well! In fact, Fleetmatic’s GPS output is the only one ExpressIFTA currently accepts.

Over the past five years, Fleetmatics has saved drivers over $2 Billion in fuel savings and has prevented millions of moving and rule book violations. Not to mention, the digital logbook is a lifesaver for when you use ExpressIFTA to file for your fuel taxes. Because trust us when we say that keeping detailed records will save you in the long run.

With everything Fleetmatics has to offer, along with ExpressIFTA accepting their GPS files exclusively, it’s no wonder so many people in the trucking industry rely on it to get them safely from place to place. And to record some very detailed, by-the-book trucking, fuel, and mileage logs that will save you so many headaches along the way.

If you have any questions, comments, or more #TruckTech you want to see featured here, drop us a line on our Facebook or Twitter. We love hearing trucking stories and learning about new truck tech!

And if you find yourself with any questions about the e-filing process, we’re here for you. Just give our support legends a call at 704.234.6005 or shoot them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/7 support in English and Spanish.

The Countdown is On: How to E-file for Farmers

Posted on August 10, 2015 by - 2290 deadline, agricultural vehicle, Expresstrucktax.com, farmers, Form 2290, HVUT, Schedule 1, Truck Tax

It’s harvest time, Trucking Nation! And for more than just for crops. Your Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes are due on your agricultural vehicle by the end of the month.

So get ready to renew your tags, farmers! Because keeping your tags up-to-date and filing your HVUT on time is a great way to stay in the good graces of the IRS. And you need to file your 2290’s so you’ll able to renew your vehicle registration on time, or you could face serious consequences and penalties.

Filing for suspended, logging, or agricultural vehicles is a little bit different than filing for a taxable vehicle. Because Agricultural Vehicles get a larger allotment of mileage before they are considered taxable and not suspended vehicles. For example, regular taxable vehicles have a 5,000 mile limit before they are no longer considered suspended, while agricultural vehicles have a 7,500 mile limit.

While the difference in how you file isn’t anything extreme, we’ve got a handy dandy guide to show you how to file specifically for agricultural vehicles.
How to File for Agricultural Vehicles

When e-filing for agricultural vehicles, simply follow the same three easy steps as usual, but with a slight twist when entering your vehicle information.

Step 1: Account Setup  

  • If you already have an account with us, all you have to do is login.
  • However, if you’ve never created an account with us before, then go ahead and select “Create Account,” and then enter your email address and a password of your choosing to get started.
    • Pro-tip #1: To save time, you can also choose to login with your Google Account, or Facebook Account.
  • Next, enter your business details. Including your EIN, business name, and signing authority.
  • Select “File for Current Tax Year,” and then finally, click “Next” to move on to vehicle details.

Step 2: Vehicle Details

  • This is where you all all of your vehicle information. If you’re a returning user, chances are you have some vehicles saved in Truck Zone. 
  • But if you’re a new user, you have some choices on how to upload your new vehicle information. You can enter the vehicles one-by-one manually, or you can use an excel file.
  • Remember to choose the right section for your vehicle. Since you are using agricultural and farming equipment, your vehicle may be classified under suspended if you’re under 7,500 miles for the tax year. 

  • If this is the case, skip the taxable vehicle section and choose to add your vehicle under suspended instead.
  • If your vehicle has gone over the mileage limit, simply add your truck under “Taxable Vehicles” and move on to the next step.

Step 3: Transmit

    • Next, review your details and make certain everything is correct. Our system will also review your information for you, just in case.
    • And finally, you can securely transmit your return to the IRS, and get your Stamped Schedule 1 back via email in minutes.

    That’s it! It really is that simple. Three tiny steps that are imperative for staying compliant and renewing your vehicle registration come tax season.

    If you need any help along the way, just ask our dedicated support legends! You can give them a call at 704.234.6005 during our new extended business hours from 8AM to 8PM EST, or you can shoot them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

    #WellnessWednesday: 4 Stretches to Eliminate Back Pain

    Posted on August 5, 2015 by - #wellnesswednesday, Expresstrucktax.com, truckers, wellness

    Bad backs and poor circulation are one of the most common health concerns facing truckers. It’s understandable, you sit in a cab for several hours with limited movement, watching the road like a hawk.

    But since it’s #WellnessWednesday, today isn’t about what you can’t do, it’s about what you can do to fight the pain and restore circulation!

    Driving trucks isn’t easy, but these 4 simple back stretches definitely are. And they could save a life, and your back! So here’s how to do some quick back stretches to help you avoid back, leg, and neck pain.

    Back Bends

    Back bends will really help you with decompressing your spine and fluid buildup that can happen in your back after sitting for long periods of time. It might sound a little scary, but this simple stretch will help you avoid any sort of complications.

    All you have to do is put your hands on your hips behind your back, leaning backwards, and holding for 5-10 seconds. Then you should repeat that 5 more times, and that’s it! You’ve successfully helped your body eliminate future back pain.

    Front Bends

    Front bends are important because they help you loosen your hamstrings and increase circulation to your legs. Good leg circulation is crucial for good driving, good posture, as well as good health. And all it takes is this simple stretch to maintain some great circulation!

    All you have to do is put your hands on your hips, just like the back bend, and lean forward. If you’re feeling up to it, you can also combine it with the back bends for a full range of motion. Remember to hold the stretch for 5-10 seconds, and do it 5 times, while breathing in and out like normal. You don’t want to hold your breath while doing stretches. Your body needs the oxygen to repair itself.

    Then voila, you’re successfully helping to avoid both back pain and poor circulation!

    Knee Up’s

    Knee up’s may seem a little difficult at first, but in the long run they’re worth it. Much like the front bends, they help restore circulation to your legs. They also really help you loosen up and stretch your lower abdomen, which can be difficult to stretch otherwise.

    All you have to do is use the side of your truck, and place your hands shoulder width apart, taking turns to bring each knee up. Then you should turn your knee to the side, stretching it across your body.

    These knee stretches will make you feel much better very quickly. You’ll also feel a lot looser, and much more flexible. So do as many as you can and try to hold the stretch for 10-20 seconds.

    At first it might seem a little difficult, but in the end it’ll be rewarding, I promise! Don’t worry if you can only do a few at first. Wellness is a journey, not a destination.

    Neck Stretch

    The next stretch will give you some much-needed relief from the tension that builds around your shoulders and neck.

    All you have to do is start with one hand down by your side, with your other hand out at a 90 degree angle. Then just lean your head to the opposite side of your outstretched arm. Try to reach out as far as you can with said arm.

    Make sure you don’t let your arm drop, keep it outstretched as far as you can for 5-10 seconds. Then do 5 reps and you’ll really begin to feel loosened up, and so much less tension!

    Then all you have to do is keep up with these stretches. Even doing them once or twice a week can greatly improve your mobility. And it can combat the pain of being sedentary for long periods of time! All in under 5 minutes.

    Got some tips for how to stay healthy on the road? Or maybe you just want to share some highlights from your own wellness journey. Drop us a line on Facebook or Twitter! We love hearing from you, Trucking Nation!

    The Countdown is On: Form 2290 Bootcamp

    Posted on August 4, 2015 by - 2290 deadline, Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, HVUT, Schedule 1, Truck Tax

    We interrupt your regularly scheduled #TruckTechTuesday, to bring you 2290 bootcamp!

    We know you must have questions, and we’ve got the answers. Here’s everything you’ve ever wondered about HVUT, broken down into one easy read. Because that’s what ExpressTruckTax is all about, making things easier for the trucking industry!

    What is Form 2290?

    IRS Form 2290 with Schedule 1 is a tax form that must be filed each year for all taxable highway vehicles that are registered, or required to be registered in your name under state, District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law.

    That means if you own a heavy vehicle, a vehicle that has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, or have one registered in your name in the US, District of Columbia, Canada, or Mexico, you need to file Form 2290 and pay the excise tax every year!

    When to File

    You need to file your 2290 every year beginning in July. The regular HVUT tax year begins on July 1 and ends the following June. But tax for the year is due during the renewal period, which is typically from July 1st to August 31st of each year, giving you two whole months to e-file.

    However, if you purchase a new vehicle during the tax year, then your HVUT is due the month after you purchase a new vehicle. Meaning if you purchased your vehicle in August, your HVUT would be due September 31.

    When Is the Deadline?

    The 2290 deadline to file for renewals is on August 31, every year. This means you now have less than a month to e-file! However, if you purchased your vehicle later during the tax year, your first-used month and your tax due date will be different.

    You have a month to file after you purchase your new vehicle, for example, if you purchase your vehicle in October, your taxes are due at the end of November or you will face penalties.

    However, it is better to e-file right away. That way you can have your taxes filed and out of the way until the next tax year, and you don’t have to worry about missing any deadlines and getting penalized for it.

    When Do I Need to Renew?

    You need to renew your HVUT every year during the renewal period. If you wait to file, you risk facing some pretty hefty penalties for not filing. That and you can’t renew your vehicle registration with the DMV.

    Is This a State Tax?

    No, unlike IFTA, HVUT it is a federally-mandated tax. As stated previously, if you have a heavy vehicle registered, or required to be registered in your name in North America, and Mexico, you are required to file yearly Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes.

    If you have any more questions about the 2290 and how to file, our dedicated support legends are here for you! So give us a call at 704.234.6005 during our new extended business hours from 8AM to 8PM EST. Or you can send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

    The Countdown is On: E-file Before the HVUT Deadline

    Posted on August 3, 2015 by - 2290 deadline, EFTPS, Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, HVUT, Schedule 1, Truck Tax

    If you haven’t filed your Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes for this year, then you’re running out of time! You have less than a month left to e-file by the due date on August 31.

    But before you e-file there are some things you need to know to get started. From your EIN, VIN, and Gross Vehicle Weight to the actual e-filing process, we’ve got you covered!

    What You Need Before you E-file

    • Your EIN
    • Access to Internet
    • Computer, Tablet, or Smartphone
    • Your VIN
    • Your Gross Vehicle Weight

    Once you have all that, it’s time to e-file. All you have to do is follow the simple guide below, then you’re all done!

    How to E-file

    With ExpressTruckTax you can rest assured the e-filing process is incredibly easy. In fact, just follow three simple steps, and you’ll be done in no time!

    Step 1: Account Setup

    • If you’ve created an account with us, simply login to your account.
    • If you’ve never created an account with us before, then go ahead and hit “Create Account”, then enter your email address and a password of your choosing to get started.
      • Pro-tip #1: To save time, you can also choose to login with your Google account or your Facebook Account. 
    • Now you need to enter all your business details, including your EIN, business name, and any signing authority you may have. 
    • Then you can move on and e-file your 2290 for the current tax year.

    Step 2: Vehicle Details

    • Now you need to add all of your vehicle information. If you’re a returning user, you can select the trucks you filed for previously using Truck Zone. 
    • If you are a new user, you can input your vehicle information one of two ways: 
    • You can choose to do it manually, entering one truck at a time
    • Or you can upload all of your trucks in one fell swoop from a, Excel file.
    • And remember, there are three different types of vehicles you can file for. So know the differences!

    Step 3: Pay & Securely Transmit

    • Now all you need to do is select your payment method and transmit your return!
      • Pro-tip #2: The IRS only accepts three payment methods: Direct Debit, EFTPS, and check or money order. They do not accept debit or credit cards.
    • After you’ve decided how to pay, review your details on last time and make sure everything is correct. Our system will also review your information for you, just in case. 
    • Then you can securely transmit your return to the IRS, and get your Stamped Schedule 1 back via email in minutes.

    Links to Help You E-file

    If you have any questions about other parts of the e-filing process, or how to make sure you’re prepared, we’ve got tons of guides for you to follow!  Hopefully we’ve answered every question you could think of to ask, but if you still need help we have an amazing US-Based support team ready and waiting to help you.

    Forgot Your Password?

    • If you forgot your password, don’t worry! Here is a step-by-step blog on how to recover your password and continuing using your ExpressTruckTax account.

    How to Create an Account

    • If you’re a new user, this is the guide for you! We go over how to create an account with ExpressTruckTax step-by-step so you can begin e-filing and get back to your life.

    FastTransfer Feature

    • The FastTransfer feature helps you save time by allowing you to copy your previous return for your current tax year. This guide explains how to utilize the feature in order to e-file.

    Truck Zone

    • Truck Zone is your very own virtual garage. Store all of your trucks securely on our servers, and never forget a vehicle. This guide explains how this feature benefits you and how to use it.

    7 Common E-filing Mistakes to Avoid

    • Everybody makes mistakes, but with this guide we’re hoping to minimize several common occurrences. Learn what to avoid and how to successfully e-file for the HVUT tax season.

    6 Tips For Success this Renewal Season

    • Have a successful renewal season with these 6 easy tips on how to e-file!

    The Do’s and Don’ts of E-filing Your 2290

    • Tips on how to make e-filing even easier by being prepared throughout the tax year.

    If you need any help along the way, just ask our dedicated support legends! You can give them a call at 704.234.6005 during our new extended business hours from 8AM to 8PM EST, or you can shoot them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

    E-file today, avoid late penalties, and get back to your life!

    7 Ways to Avoid an IFTA Audit

    Posted on July 30, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, IFTA, Truck Tax

    Audits for anything are scary, especially IFTA audits. The idea that you have to go through mounds of paperwork, and eventually panic if you can’t find exactly what you need, is terrifying. But relax, here at ExpressTruckTax, we’re all about making this process loads easier.

    That’s why we’ve got 7 tips on what to do to in order to avoid an IFTA audit.

    How to Avoid an IFTA Audit

    Trip Sheets

    The first step in avoiding an IFTA audit is to keep detailed trip sheets. You need to make certain your trip sheets have continuity from the very beginning of your trip to the end. Every single jurisdiction should be included on your trip sheet, so you don’t lose track of any important information.

    Avoid submitting trip sheets with non-continuous jurisdictions. Trust us, IFTA auditors know that your truck cannot simply materialize in Florida when you started in Colorado.

    Mileage

    Mileage is another big one when it comes to avoiding IFTA audits. You should be recording all mileage on your trip sheets as well as personal and non-taxable mileage.

    Avoid forgetting to record your end-of-day miles to any restaurants or lodging. If you don’t record these miles, then you risk creating a gap in mileage, that’s when your end of day location doesn’t match your beginning of day location.

    Be Exact

    Everything you record needs to be exact. You need to record exact fuel use and exact mileage (even non-taxable mileage). Because eventually, you will use those numbers to calculate your MPG each quarter. And one small slip up could resist in a massive oops.

    And you definitely want to avoid calculating your fuel use by dividing your mileage by the set MPG. Since your MPG is based on road conditions, you need to keep an eye on it. Because it will fluctuate. So make sure you’re recording that number correctly, or you risk paying too much for your IFTA.

    Watch your MPG

    As we previously stated, your MPG is based on a variety of road conditions. That means this number can fluctuate from quarter to quarter. So make sure you’re faithfully recording that number, because in the end, you’ll have better records for it. And better records means you’re on the right path to avoiding an audit!

    Your MPG should be above 5 and below 10. If you find that your MPG is outside of this range, then it’s likely you’ve made an error in recordkeeping somewhere along the way. In most States, your IFTA will not be accepted unless your MPG falls within 5-10 MPG.

    Document Everything

    If you learn one thing from us, it’s that you need to document everything. That means, if you keep precise trip sheets you can avoid any errors in recordkeeping, as well as an audit. So make sure you don’t get lazy with your documentation!

    File on-time!

    Make sure you file your IFTA on-time, year-after-year. This shows that you’re being responsible, and know what needs to be done. If you need some help with this process, ExpressIFTA can definitely make calculating your mileage and what you owe in fuel taxes a lot easier than doing it on paper.

    That way, you don’t have to wait until the last minute to file, dreading the idea of all that tax math. Not to mention, waiting to file instead of doing it earlier can lead to you making mistakes. And this will, of course, lead to an audit. So make sure you give yourself plenty of time to sit down and do your IFTA right!

    Cooperate

    Audits may seem scary, but they’re not the end of the world. If you’re selected for an audit, just remain calm and cooperate. Original documentation for the past 12 quarters should be kept in your base jurisdiction for the auditor to access.

    Make sure you don’t avoid the auditor’s phone calls, shred your documents, or do anything drastic. Especially considering that IFTA auditors can keep coming after you with no statute of limitations. And the less you cooperate, the worse the penalties will be. You could even lose your IFTA license.

    If you have any questions or need any help preparing your quarterly IFTA, our dedicated support legends are here for you. Just give them a call during our new extended business hours from 8AM to 8PM at 704.234.6005 or shoot them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

    Don’t wait and risk making a mistake, file your IFTA today.