Author: Marcela De Vivo

Don’t Wait or You’ll Be Late: E-File by the May 31st Deadline

Posted on May 21, 2015 by - 2290 deadline, Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, form 2290 credit vehicle, HVUT, Schedule 1, Vehicle first use month

Although the start of the 2015-16 tax year is right around the corner, there are still reasons for many of you to file for the 2014-15 tax year, today. If you’ve been waiting until the last minute to take care of your HVUT, then it’s officially your time to shine. However, there are many other reasons besides procrastination that warrant filing, so let’s see who should be E-filing today.

Who Needs to E-file NOW:

1. Those With a First Used Month of April 2015

For all new vehicles, you have until the end of the month following the vehicle’s first use month to file your 2290. For example, if you purchased a vehicle and first put it on the road in April of 2015, then you have until May 31, 2015 to file the 2290 for that vehicle without incurring late penalties.

2. Those Who Haven’t Already Filed for the 2014-15 Tax Year
If you have not already filed your 2290 for trucks that have been used throughout the 2014-15 tax year running from July 1, 2014 through June 31, 2015, you should E-file immediately. All those E-filing for the 2014-15 tax year for trucks used before April of 2015 are already late and will incur penalties. But the sooner you file, the lower the penalty, so get on it asap!

3. Those Who Sold, Traded In, or Lost the Vehicle They Filed for This Tax Year
If you had a vehicle that was sold, stolen, traded in, or lost that you already filed taxes on for the 2014-15 tax year, then you will need to file a credit vehicle on your 2290. Some refer to this as “Transferring a 2290” from an old vehicle to a new one. Filing with a credit vehicle allows you to receive tax credits on taxes already paid for the 2014-15 tax year on the old vehicle. This way, you won’t end up paying any extra tax to get that Schedule 1 for your new ride. For more information about this process, you can visit our blog post that explains exactly how to E-file your 2290 with a credit vehicle.


I’m Late… Now What?

The IRS imposes a penalty of 4.5 percent of the total tax due, assessed on a monthly basis for up to five months. In addition to this penalty, interest will accrue on the total amount at .54 percent per month, and the IRS can also impose an additional monthly penalty equal to .5 percent of the total tax due.

Also note that International Roadcheck 2015 will be taking place from June 2, 2015 through June 4, 2015, so now is as good a time as ever to ensure that your vehicle is on the road legally by renewing its tags and registration. At the end of May and June brings the registration deadline for several different states, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Missouri, West Virginia, and Maine.

If you are a driver in any of these states then you need to E-file as soon as possible, if you haven’t already. At ExpressTruckTax, we are the fastest and most reliable way to get you the stamped Schedule 1 you need, so be sure and E-file today to get your new registration and tags so you can avoid the hassle during International Roadcheck.

As you can see, it can be rather costly not to file those 2290’s on time, and the longer you wait the more it’s going to cost. So stop wasting time, and start saving your money today by filing with us at ExpressTruckTax. We have made the filing process quicker and simpler than ever, and offer the best value in the industry for E-filing your 2290.

If you have any questions, our US-based support team is available through phone, email, and even live chat. To reach us, call 704.234.6005, or email us at support@expresstrucktax.com, and we’ll be happy to assist you in any way that we can.

Win a Free Tank on Us: Enter Our Get Pumped Giveaway

Posted on May 19, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, free $50 gift card, get pumped giveaway, HVUT, summer series of giveaways, trucking news

Happy #TruckerTuesday, Trucking Nation! Have we got a surprise for you…

We know both car and truck drivers alike love to have their gas tab picked up, and that’s what we’re here for! 

Whether you work in the trucking industry or you’re just a lover of trucks, you can enter our Get Pumped Giveaway! From Tuesday, May 19 to Sunday, May 31, ExpressTruckTax is giving away a free $50 gift card to one lucky Liker!

For a chance to win this $50 Gift Card, simply scroll down and enter your information in the form provided below and “Like” ExpressTruckTax on Facebook.

If you already liked us, that’s no problem! You can still enter anyway by putting your name and email address into the extension below.

By liking us on Facebook, you’ll get more than just contest details! Our page is the perfect place to meet new friends in the trucking community, see some tricked out truck pics, and stay up-to-date on industry news and filing deadlines!

Plus, you can contact our excellent support team over social media to ask questions and get some quick feedback. When you follow ExpressTruckTax on Facebook, everybody wins!

We’ll announce the winner of our Get Pumped Giveaway on June 1st, so be sure to check back to see if you’re the lucky winner and for more contests in our Summer Series of Giveaways!

Don’t forget to fill out the form below and “Like” us on Facebook to get started! We can’t wait to meet all of you on Facebook!

a Rafflecopter giveaway;

For complete giveaway Terms & Conditions, click here.

Meet the ExpressTruckTax Support Team!

Posted on May 18, 2015 by - Excellent customer support, Expresstrucktax.com, extended customer support hours, HVUT, Meet the team, Truck Tax, trucking news, U S-Based Customer Support Center

Introducing the dedicated support experts that are here to answer your questions year round! Whether you’re in the middle of tax season or not, ExpressTruckTax will always be here to answer any truck tax question you can think of!

Not only do we provide a fantastic, easy-to-use, and quality product, we also have an excellent support team based locally in Rock Hill, SC! Our team provides fantastic support in both English and Spanish 24/7.

Our offices may close at 6PM, but our support team never quits! And our team has never met a problem they couldn’t solve! That being said, it’s time to meet the masterminds that provide you with your tax solutions.


Charles | Director of Tax Products

Charles is the face and voice of The ExpressTruckTax YouTube Channel. He knows all the in’s and out’s of e-filing and has the video experience to prove it. His patience knows no bounds. And as a world-renowned beastmaster with two miniature poodles, he has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with the IRS, humanely remove any wasps that find their way into our office, and manage our crazy tax team. 


Moises | Product Manager

A secretly awesome baseball player, Moises will help you knock your tax filings out of the park! Moises is fluent in English, Spanish, and Swagger. He can answer any and all questions you can think of in two languages, and he can take care of tax crises as easy as he can dance Bachata!
 


Patti | Account Manager

Patti’s been driving since she was 13, so she never shies away from an adventure, or a challenge! With experience teaching kindergarteners at Sunday School, Patti can take on any question and answer it before you even know what you’re asking! Plus she can take you to school every other day of the week by crushing you at a game of ping pong or tag football.

Kay | Support Specialist

A true Southern Lady who enjoys nothing more than a tomato sandwich with Duke’s Mayonnaise and telling it like it is. She is fiercely protective of her young and those on the support team (same thing, really). Kay loves doing plant impressions and playing with her Fat Bottom Boys, her pack of four adorable dachshunds. She’ll make you laugh until you cry and answer your questions at the same time. That’s true talent, y’all!


Staci | Support Specialist

Staci once pulled Excalibur out of the stone while wearing a dress (Okay, so it was a stick out of Kay’s car, but it might as well have been Excalibur). She is the chosen one, the mother of several adorable rescue cats, and a dedicated support expert. That being said, she can solve virtually any problem and take on any issue with or without some help from the support heroes (of the round table).

 


Lauren | Support Specialist

Lauren is our resident expert on all things artistic, including coloring hair exciting and exotic colors. She is currently sporting a burpleberry ombre. She has also painted a mural on one of our repurposed airline beverage carts, and hopefully many more, for our office in Rock Hill, SC! In addition to being a natural born artist, Lauren is also a natural born truck tax support specialist! She can answer any question with the precision and ease of a true artist.

  


Eli | Support Specialist

Could win a Justin Timberlake lookalike contest against Matthew Morrison armed with just a suit and tie. While he may look like JT, Eli actually has more in common with Bear Grylls. When he was 14, he was struck by a car and suffered a broken back. But just like a phoenix (or Bear), he rose again and made a full recovery. He then went on to learn everything there is to know about truck taxes and ExpressTruckTax—in fact, like the rest of our amazing support team, he’s an expert!

During the tax season and throughout the rest of the year, this dedicated team, this band of experts, will be here to help you!

Whether you’re filing your 2290, VIN corrections, amendments, or returns, you can count on our support team to always be there! You can contact them from 8AM-6PM via phone at 704.234.6005 or email them 24/7 at support@expresstrucktax.com. So call them right now, and see which support hero you’re lucky enough to get!

Get Your HVUT Money Back: E-file Form 8849 Today

Posted on May 14, 2015 by - E-File Form 8849, Expresstrucktax.com, FAQ's, Form 8849, HVUT, Truck Tax

We’re back, Trucking Nation, with even more information on the what, when, why, and how of E-filing your Form 8849 for refunds.

Now that you know you can get a refund for being under the mileage limit, you may still have some more questions about your refund. And, that’s what we’re here for! So, let me break it down for you.
When should I make a claim & What types of credits can be claimed?

Form 8849 offers a variety of schedules that you can file for, but one of the most common is the Schedule 6. Under the 8849 Schedule 6, you can file for three different types of refund credits:

  • Stolen, Sold, or Destroyed Vehicle
  • Suspended Vehicle, or a vehicle that drove less than the mileage limit (5,000 for regular heavy vehicles and 7,500 for agricultural vehicles)
  • Overpayment on Form 2290

If you have experienced any of these situations during the tax year, then voila! You qualify for an HVUT refund!

What should I know before claiming a credit?

Before claiming a credit, you should know what does and does not qualify for a refund, as well as what information you will need in order to make a claim.

Listed in the previous section is a breakdown of the three credits you can claim and when you should make that claim. However, before you can do that, there is some information you need about your vehicle.

Before you make your claim, you should know:

  • Your company’s tax year month end
  • Your VIN
  • First-used month
  • Gross vehicle weight

Any relevant dates (if the vehicle was sold, stolen or destroyed you will need to know that date, and if you are claiming overpayment you will need to know the date of overpayment.)

Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, you may have questions about what doesn’t qualify for a refund. Well, you are not eligible for a refund when:

You sometimes operate at a lower gross vehicle weight than initially reported.

You used your vehicle for only part of the year. How often you’ve used the vehicle or how many months it was in use does not matter if you’ve exceeded the mileage limit.

Sold, Destroyed, and Stolen Vehicles

If your vehicle was sold, destroyed, or stolen during the tax year, you may be wondering just how to calculate refunds for that specific return. As always, here at ExpressTruckTax, we’ve got your back.

When you enter your information with us, we calculate the prorated tax for you! No muss, no fuss, no partial period tax tables! Just ExpressTruckTax doing what we do to make your life easier.

How do I handle overpaid 2290 taxes?

Since the credit claimed cannot exceed the tax reported on Form 2290, any excess credit must be claimed using Form 8849. So, if you’ve paid too much, you can get that money back!

And, when you use ExpressTruckTax to E-File your Form 2290, if your credit exceeds tax due, our program will automatically generate the Form 8849 for you! That means, there’s no need to enter any additional information because we’ll do it for you!

If you need step-by-step instructions on how to E-File for either one of these claims, refer to our previous blog about Claiming Low Mileage Refunds.

How Will I Get My Refund?

Good question! Once the IRS receives your information, it can take 4-6 weeks for them to process your refund. Then, once everything is in order and squared away, the IRS will mail a check to your home address.

So, register with ExpressTruckTax today and on June 1 you’ll be ready to start E-filing for your refund! With 4-6 weeks to wait, there’s no time to waste. Not to mention, you only have until June 30th to E-file for your Form 8849. After that you’ll need to file a Form 2290 with a credit vehicle.

We hope we answered all of your questions, Trucking Nation! But, if you have more give our dedicated support team a call at 704.234.6005 or e-mail us at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/7 support!

The Future of Truck Tech is Here, Trucking Nation!

Posted on May 13, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Truck Tax, truck tech, trucking news

Since the beginning of time, trucks and wind resistance have been mortal enemies. 
Maybe that’s why truckers and trucking companies alike have been developing new technology and new trucks to be able to combat this aerodynamic issue!

Minimizing wind resistance for trucks is becoming a very possible reality with the new technology being offered by AirTab, as well as TrailerTail. 
 Not to mention that Walmart and Mercedes are currently working on concept trucks that are not only built to minimize wind resistance, but also increase highway safety!

These new truck technologies will provide more savings and safety for truckers and everyone else on the road. But what exactly are the benefits of these new technologies?

AirTab


Let’s begin with AirTab. AirTab is a small triangular, wishbone-like device you place on the end of your trailer and the end of your cab.

This tiny device provides better fuel economy without being bulky, and minimizes wind resistance to help stabilize the trailer and make for a smoother ride. According to their website, AirTab can also increase fuel economy by up to 5% simply by combating the effects of wind resistance.

AirTab benefits other drivers as well. Not only does it amp up the safety on heavy vehicles, it also minimizes the rain and snow blow back, providing more visibility for truckers and cars alike. AirTabs come in a variety of colors, and they provide a line for compact cars, small trucks, and SUVs.

TrailerTail

The concept of TrailerTail is similar to that of AirTab. However, the TrailerTail takes a different approach to minimizing wind resistance. Instead of a small triangular device, TrailerTail provides a large square “tail” to place on the back of your trailer.

TrailerTail is incredibly easy to install and is very durable. It even makes opening the back of your truck easy because it folds as you open the back of the trailer, holding the doors open until you’ve unloaded.

In addition to durability, TrailerTail, much like AirTab, also increases fuel economy by up to 5%. TrailerTail is compliant with 2010 CARB regulations for trailer aerodynamics and is exempt from U.S. DOT length restrictions.

New Concept Trucks

Walmart and Mercedes have introduced new concept trucks with better aerodynamics. These trucks are like something out of a science fiction novel, but both companies are trying desperately to make these vehicles less of a concept and more of a reality.

With Walmart, their design aims to minimize wind resistance and provide a light-weight truck. Their new concept design is made exclusively with carbon fiber, which makes the design almost 4,000 pounds lighter. Not to mention, the overall design of the truck is mouth-watering.

Mercedes, on the other hand, has introduced a truck concept that will virtually drive itself (in addition to being more aerodynamic)! Their truck concept is all about keeping truckers and the roads they drive on safe.
The truck cannot completely drive itself, so it would still need a driver to remain in the cab in order to function, but it can work with the driver to allow them time to drink coffee, check messages, or use a business management program like TruckLogics.

No matter where the future of truck tech is heading, ExpressTruckTax will always be here to help you. Whether you’re E-filing in your current big rig or a futuristic giant from Walmart or Mercedes, we’ll be here to answer your questions and provide an excellent product, from the now into the future.

As always, if you have any questions call us at 704.234.6005 or e-mail us at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/7 support. And don’t forget to tell us what you think about what’s next in truck tech on Facebook or Twitter.

Claim Your Low Mileage Refund with ExpressTruckTax!

Posted on May 11, 2015 by - Claim your Tax credit, Form 2290, Form 8849, Form 8849 Schedule 6

As tax season draws ever closer, so does the time for refunds. Who doesn’t love getting money back?!

As the new tax year approaches on July 1st, many of you out there are realizing you didn’t actually reach the mileage requirement for paying heavy vehicle use tax in the previous year.

So, Trucking Nation, how can you get some of that green back?

Your window of opportunity to claim this refund is about to open! From June 1st through the 30th, you can E-file a Form 8849 to claim your low mileage refund. After that, if you’d still like a refund for a prior year low mileage vehicle, you will need to E-file a Form 2290 with a Credit Vehicle.

Who is eligible for a low-mileage refund? Let’s find out!

Who Qualifies for a Low Mileage Refund?

Trucks that traveled fewer than 5,000 miles on public highways during the tax year are eligible for a refund of their HVUT. Moreover, agricultural vehicles that traveled fewer than 7,500 miles on public highways during the tax year are eligible for a refund too.

There are other types of refunds you can get for your heavy vehicle use tax as well! If your vehicle was stolen, sold, or destroyed (or if you overpaid on your heavy vehicle use tax), you are eligible for a refund as well. You can even file for those types of refunds with ExpressTruckTax right now!


I Need a Refund—What Should I Do?

If you’re eligible for a low mileage refund, you may have some questions on how to file. And we have the answers! On June 1 (or right now if you’re eligible for a different type of refund), log into your ExpressTruckTax account and follow these simple steps:

  • Step 1: Select “Start a New Return” and choose start under “Form 8849 Schedule 6”
  • Step 2: Enter the fiscal tax year month end for your business. This is typically in December unless the fiscal year of your business differs from the norm.
  • Step 3: If you have any trucks that were stolen, sold, or destroyed this past tax year, you should enter them first. You will need the VIN, gross vehicle weight, first-used month and the date the vehicle was sold, lost, or destroyed.
  • Step 4: Now, you can enter the VIN, gross vehicle weight and first-used month for any vehicles eligible for a low mileage credit.
  • Step 5: After that, if you’re eligible, you’re onto the overpayment credits. You can enter these by inputting the date of the overpayment tax, the VIN, amount you are claiming, and a short explanation for the IRS to review. 
  • Step 6: Then finally you can review your information, and since we estimate the refund for you, check out how much the IRS will be putting back into your pocket!

The IRS typically issues refunds within 4-6 weeks of filing. Then, you can kick back and enjoy your extra cash!

Register with us today so that come June 1st you’ll be ready to begin E-filing for your refund right away! And don’t forget, you only have until June 30th to file for your Form 8849. After that, you will need to file a 2290 with a credit vehicle.

Always remember, if you have any questions our dedicated Support Team is here to help you every step of the way! You can call at 704.234.6005, e-mail at support@expresstrucktax.com, or even start a live-chat on our website!

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy refund season!

Forgot Your Password? We Can Help!

Posted on May 7, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, HVUT, Truck Tax

Well it’s that time of the year again. The beginning of the heavy vehicle use tax season is right around the corner, and those new 2290 forms will be due before you know it. All you need to do is sign in to your ExpressTruckTax account with your email and password to begin preparing for the 2015-16 tax season.

Although you won’t be able to file those 2290s just yet, early preparation and making sure that you can access your account when renewal season opens can save you a major headache down the road.

The earlier you are prepared to file, the less likely you are to face potential late penalties. For more information on the benefits of early preparation, you can check out our Early Bird Benefits Blog.

But what if the password you created for your account is so secure that you can’t seem to remember it? Not to fret Trucking Nation, we’ve all forgotten or misplaced a password a time or two. (Or more) Thankfully, ExpressTruckTax.com allows our users to reset lost or forgotten passwords with ease. 

All you need to do is:

  • Visit the ExpressTruckTax website
  • Click the green “Returning User” tab in the top right corner of the main page
  • Below the sections to enter your email address and password, click “Forgot Password”
  • Enter the email address used to create the account in the box and click “Submit”

After entering your email address in the box provided, ExpressTruckTax will automatically send an email with a new temporary password to login to your account. Once you login using this temporary password, you will then be brought to the “Change Password” screen.


To change your password you will need to:


  • Enter your temporary password in the “Current Password” box at the top of the screen
  • Choose your new password and enter it into the “New Password” box
  • Confirm your new password by entering it again in the “Confirm New Password” box
  • Select “Change” at the bottom of the screen

The password created must be at least six characters, and can contain any combination of letters, numbers, and special characters. If done successfully, you should see, “Your password has been changed successfully” in green text at the top of the page. Be sure to write down the new password you have created for your account and keep it in a safe place as tax season is right around the corner.

If for some strange reason this process won’t work for you, or if you simply don’t have time to do it, you can contact our support team for assistance.

We have been a leader in the E-filing of heavy usage vehicle taxes since our inception into the industry in 2010. Along with our industry leading E-filing service, we offer support via live chat, email and phone, with phone support offered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Support is also available in two different languages including English and Spanish.

It’s Time for Spring Cleaning: Go Paperless with ExpressTruckTax!

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

Are you a firm believer in “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”? Well, if you’ve been filing your 2290 anywhere but right here, then it is broken. And we can fix it! Here at ExpressTruckTax, we can make the transition from paper filing to E-filing easy.

So let’s indulge in a little spring cleaning and ditch your mountain of paperwork for our paperless solution. Our support team will help every step of the way, from your initial account setup to helping you through your E-filing process.

We can even enter your business details for you in order to save you time and frustration. No matter where you are in the transition, you can count on our 24/7, USA-based Support Team for all of the help you need, day or night.

We’ll Make the Transition Smoother

If you’re new to ExpressTruckTax, here are just some of the ways our Support Team will help get you started.

  • We’ll create your login and send it to you.
  • We will even input your business details like your Address, EIN, & Contact Information if you like.
  • We’ll also help you Bulk Upload your vehicle details into Truck Zone, or we can do it for you. All you need is a CSV file with your truck info.
  • We can walk you through the E-filing process to ensure you file correctly the first time! Whatever it takes to give you the support experience of a lifetime! 

Even MORE Reasons to Get Started with ExpressTruckTax

There is so much ExpressTruckTax has to offer over the alternatives:

  • No lines at the IRS office
  • No tax calculations (we do all the math for you!)
  • Fewer errors- it’s a fact that paper filers make more mistakes! 
  • Secure & IRS-certified
  • Paperless & Eco-friendly
  • TruckZone, your very own virtual garage
  • And you can receive your stamped Schedule 1 in minutes- no snail mail! 

And that’s not all! The benefits of switching to ExpressTruckTax are endless!

All of your tax records are organized in your personal account so you can look up your information any time you need to. And once it’s there, it’s there for life. This means every year you can save time on filing by copying the previous year’s return so you don’t have to re-fill out form after form.

With us you get the full package, the complete V.I.P experience, because our customers mean the world to us, and we will stop at nothing to make your lives easier.

With everything we have to offer, we make change less frightening and more fun. So create your ExpressTruckTax account today and try it out. If you still have questions, call our dedicated Support Team at 704.234.6005. Together, we can make your tax experience less of a nightmare and more of a dream come true!

Don’t Miss May’s Trucking Events!

Posted on April 30, 2015 by - Expresstrucktax.com, May trucking events, trucking news

Hello, Trucking Nation! Summer is coming soon and that means, you guessed it, a multitude of goose-bump inducing trucking events!

From antique truck shows, to pride in your ride, and even truck racing, these events have it all. And the best part? Each of these events are affordable and family friendly! It’s the perfect beginning to anyone’s summer!

Pride in Your Ride

The first event, The Midwest Pride in Your Ride, is happening at the very beginning of May, from May 1-2 at the Tri-State Raceway in Earlville, Iowa. This event will have working class show semi-trucks and antique farm tractors from all across the Midwest!

Then, to add to the excitement, on Friday night there will be a good old-fashioned truck pull and a truck and tractor rodeo. Not to mention on Saturday there will be truck drag racing! The event costs $10 per day but both kids under 12 and cancer survivors get in for free! All the proceeds for this event will be given to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Antique Truck Show

Then on May 3, swing by Perris, California, and visit the Riverside Antique Truck Show & Swamp Meet. This year marks their 30th annual antique truck show! Here, you can enjoy hundreds of restored vintage trucks from semi’s to fire engines to military trucks—oh my! There will be music, vendors, and lots of eats and treats for the whole family, as well as rides on the vintage trains and California trolleys. 

Monster Stack Shootout

Mid-May marks the beginning of The Original Monster Stack Shootout and ChampTruck Race from May 22-24 in Willows, California. See real big trucks from all over North America come together in the ChampTruck World Series and The Monster Stack Shootout! See six-wheel drifts, racing pro’s, racing newbies, lots of gear-jamming action and intense competition!

Drag Racing

Then, on the very last day of the month, May 31, Super Show Rigs has their second annual Spooling Up Show & Drags Competition in Great Meadows, New Jersey. This all-day event has racing, a burn out contest, a quick truck shootout and so much more. So pack up your family and make your way out to New Jersey to enjoy food, flea markets, and fun (not to mention the best tomatoes ever).

Come See Us at the TOP Expo!

One last thing before you pack up and head out. Don’t miss us this Saturday, May 2, at the TOP EXPO in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s sure to be an informative and fun networking event for all kinds of transportation professionals. Come see us at Booth 29 along with our friends from TruckLogics!

No matter where you find yourself this May, there are plenty of truck events to choose from. Start your soon-to-be-summer vacation off right with some good old-fashioned truck racing. And don’t forget to share your event experiences with all of us at ExpressTruckTax! Show us some love and send us your event pics on Facebook and Twitter.

Set up Your Account Today for Early Bird Benefits

Posted on April 21, 2015 by - EFTPS, Employer Identification Number, Expresstrucktax.com, Form 2290, HVUT, Taxable gross vehicle weight, trucking news

Everyone’s heard the saying, “The early bird gets the worm.”

But have you also heard that the early bird E-files on time?

It’s true! Preparing for HVUT season now can save your sanity later, especially if you’re new to the HVUT game. And the best way to be prepared for whatever the IRS throws your way is to set up your ExpressTruckTax account. Right. Now.

Here are just some of the benefits of getting your account set up early:

Early Bird Benefits

  • You’ll save tons of time later! 
  • You’ll be less likely to file late and face penalties because you will already have everything you need and know exactly what to expect.
  • You can E-file early, possibly even as early as mid-June! (IRS depending)
  • We’ll send you email notifications reminding you to E-file before the deadline. 
  • Plus when you become one of our users, you’ll get these perks too!


How Can I Prepare?

Follow these five steps, and you’ll be set for E-filing success!

1. EIN: If you don’t yet have an Employer Identification Number, now is the perfect time to register! It takes up to 15 business days for your EIN to become activated, and any tax return filed before your EIN is active will be rejected. So get your EIN now, and you won’t have to worry about it later!

  • Pro Tip: You can apply on the IRS website for free here or call a reputable processing service to register your EIN for you. But whatever you do, beware of internet scams that charge hundreds of dollars for an EIN! 
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2. The Name Game: If you already have an EIN, do you remember the business name it’s registered under? The business name on your taxes must exactly match the name on record with your EIN. This is known as name control. If you are unsure of the exact name associated with your EIN, you can find out by calling the IRS hotline at 1.800.829.4933.

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3. Take it to the Bank: Once you have your EIN and Name Control, it’s time to SHOW ME THE MONEY! Not really, but you will have to show the IRS. And to do that, you’ll need to figure out how you want to pay.

If you plan to pay by Direct Debit, make sure you know your bank account number AND routing number (lots of people forget that one). Or you can set up an EFTPS account. The Electronic Federal Tax Payment System is cool because it’s free and it allows you to schedule your tax payment up to 120 days in advance. But it takes 5-7 days to register, which is why you should do it now!

Register for free by visiting http://www.eftps.gov or by calling 1-800-555-4477. When you enroll, you’ll need your EIN, bank account, bank routing number, address and name as it appears on IRS documents.

_________________________


4. Password, Please: It’s time to create your ExpressTruckTax account, the easiest part! Simply enter your email address and a password of your choosing. It’s that simple. It’s completely free to create an account and explore the program, so logon and start poking around now.

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5. Truck Zone: You’re almost set up for E-filing success! The last step to prepare for HVUT season is to load your vehicle details into Truck Zone. Truck Zone will store your vehicle information year-after-year to make E-filing faster. For this step, you’ll need your VIN and Gross Vehicle Weight.

  • Pro Tip: If you aren’t sure how to calculate your GVW, simply add these three numbers together: 1. The unloaded (tare) weight of the truck, 2. The unloaded weight of the trailer, and 3. The maximum weight of the cargo customarily carried by the truck/trailer. 

You can manually upload your data by entering the information in Truck Zone, or you can bulk upload the data from a .CSV file. Bulk Upload is the fastest way to upload hundreds or even thousands of vehicles at once with no data entry. For step-by-step instructions, check out this blog.

Plus you can always count on the Support Team for help getting started! They live to provide top notch year-round support in English & Spanish. Call them at 704.234.6005 or email them at support@expresstrucktax.com.