Category: Employer Identification Number

You have a New EIN? You Might Need Form 8849!

You have a New EIN? You Might Need Form 8849!
You have a New EIN? You Might Need Form 8849!

So you finally did it – you took the plunge and became an LLC, allowing yourself more business protection and earning yourself a new EIN.

Unfortunately, this leads to many unforeseen complications. For example, how do you go about e-filing your 2290’s for your trucks now? Are you just going to go ahead and file anyway?

Unfortunately, you can’t assume everything will be A-OK – you just fundamentally changed how your business is handled by the IRS, and so you will need to account for this with your trucks.

IRS Form 8849

While some people think it’s best to file wait for the new tax period and file Form 2290 when you change your business status, there is another option. You can also file Form 8849, the Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes.

If you’ve sold a vehicle recently and you had already filed Form 2290 Return, you would need to file Form 8849, Schedule 6 in order to claim your credit.

You also need to use Form 8849 if your vehicle was stolen, destroyed, or if Form 2290 was paid and the vehicle was used 5,000 miles or less on public highways (7,500 or less for agricultural vehicles) during the tax period.

New EIN Complications

So what do you do when you become an LLC, and you all of the sudden realize your trucks are still tied to your old EIN?

Once your business name or EIN has changed, then you need to file a new 2290 form and get a prorated refund for the taxes paid under the previous name or EIN. Just e-file a new Form 2290 for all vehicles under this new name or EIN, then e-file a Form 8849 under the old name or EIN to get some of your original filing back.

A lot of our users don’t realize they have to go through this entire process, which is why we’re here laying this out for you!

How Do You File Form 8849?

If your new EIN requires you to file an 8849, you will need your name and address, making sure it is an accurate match to what the IRS has on file.

You will also need your old EIN number, and any other pertinent business details for your old “business.” Finally, you will need the vehicle information you are claiming a refund for.

If you are filing because the vehicle was sold/stolen/destroyed, you will need the date the event occurred.

How Can You File?

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to e-file Form 8849 – you just have to sign in to ExpressTruckTax, select Start New Return, and then choose Form 8849 Schedule 6.

Then you just follow the step-by-step process to e-file Form 8849, just like you did with Form 2290.

If you have any questions about e-filing Form 8849, you can contact us at 704.234.6005.

5 Simple Steps to File Form 2290

5 Simple Steps to File Form 2290
5 Simple Steps to File Form 2290

As we keep rolling through truck tax season, we’ve had a few callers ask us to go through the e-filing system step-by-step.

So we’re gonna break things down real quick, and show you that you can e-file Form 2290 in 5 easy steps!

First Step – Login

The first step for any truck tax filer is to create their account—of course, if they’ve filed with us before, they can just sign in.

It’s easy, it only takes a moment, and it’s FREE. We won’t charge you a single cent for creating your account! You only pay once you’ve e-filed using our service, which won’t take too long, thankfully.

Second Step – Information

On your second step, you enter your business information. This includes your name and your Employer Information Number (EIN), which you need to make sure you know.

Pro Tip: Did you know you can e-file 2290 directly from the ExpressTruckTax App?

Third Step – Details

Now you need to enter your tax year and first used month for the vehicle(s) you are filing for. The tax year for IRS Form 2290 starts July 1 of each year and ends on June 30 of the following year.

You file Form 2290 based on the first used month of the vehicle. For example, if your vehicle was first used on public highways in September, you have until October 31 to file your 2290.

After that, enter your vehicle identification number (VIN) and the taxable gross weight of the vehicle you are filing for. You can also select if your vehicle is used for any special purposes, such as for agricultural use or logging.

Fourth Step – Payment

As we calculate the taxes on your 2290, make sure you’re familiar with the IRS payment options available to pay the IRS for your HVUT, including:

  • Direct Debit or Electronic Funds Withdrawal
  • Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)
  • Check or Money Order

Fifth Step – Transmit

Before we transmit, we’ll check over your form to make sure it’s clear of any basic errors. On your end, double check the summary to be sure that your business and vehicle information are correct. Once your payment information has been entered, your return is ready to be transmitted to the IRS. Simply add your electronic signature and transmit!

Secret Final Step – Celebrate

A few moments after you file, you’ll get your 2290 Schedule 1. With that in hand, you can go out and celebrate. If you have some vacation time, that is. If not, at least you’ll be roadworthy!

If you have any questions about filing your excise taxes, please reach out to us and let us know! Our dedicated customer service team is waiting by the phones and checking their inbox, ready to help you!

Related Blog: 5 Ways to Get Help E-Filing Your 2290

What are the Requirements for IRS Form 2290?

Requirements for IRS Form 2290 E File
Requirements for IRS Form 2290 E File

It’s almost truck tax time, Trucking Nation.

Which means you need to know the requirements to e-file IRS Form 2290.

Don’t worry, we have you covered. You simply need your taxable vehicle information, employer ID numbers, and the correct vehicle identification numbers.

Taxable Vehicle Information

What makes a taxable vehicle… taxable? A highway motor vehicle includes any self-propelled vehicle designed to carry a load over public highways and roadways, and can be designed for additional functions, as well.

A vehicle consists of a chassis and body, but excludes the load. No matter what the vehicle is designed for — whether it’s a highway passenger transportation vehicle or a designed special kind of cargo, there will need to be a 2290 filed for it.

Employer ID Numbers

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN.

You need an EIN to file Form 2290. You can apply online to receive your EIN. If the customer has recently applied and received EIN from the IRS, it takes about 15 days to get into the e-file system. If you e-file your 2290 during this period, the IRS will reject the filing.

Correct Vehicle Identification Numbers

Another important requirement for Form 2290 is your vehicle identification number. Your VIN identifies the individual truck you are e-filing your HVUT 2290 for.

Unfortunately, the VIN is a string of numbers and letters—which means plenty of people get them wrong come tax time! Hey, we can’t blame you.

The good news is, we offer FREE Form 2290 VIN corrections!

When it comes time to e-file, you know that ExpressTruckTax is here for you! We’re ready to help you with our safe, secure software, user friendly features, and our dedicated, US-based customer support team.

Related Blog: 5 Ways to Get Help E-Filing Your 2290

Watch Out! Avoid These Scams in the Trucking Industry

We’ve all heard the horror stories—whispers in a dark rest stop about a friend of a friend losing his freight, his job, and eventually his house to a scam.

It can happen to anybody, these days.

In the trucking industry, we like to watch out for each other.

No matter what side of the rig you stand on, there are scams running about. So watch out for these!

Fake Documents for Drivers

Sometimes a driver may receive a fax, letter, or email from someone with a Washington, D.C. contact and an official looking Department of Transportation letterhead.

The goal of this communication is to scare the driver into releasing their financial information, and then identity theft is easy.

Remember, a government agency will never ask you to disclose financial information unprovoked—no matter how official the letterhead.

If you are contacted by someone asking these questions, contact the agency yourself to find out if there is a real concern.

And remember to only use IRS-authorized e-filing services when it comes to your taxes.

Company Independent Contractor Scams

Now, there are sometimes mix-ups—and this could honestly happen by mistake.

But there are a few companies who think they can list employees as independent contractors to avoid compliance with Department of Labor regulations, IRS regulations, DOT regulations, and OSHA regulations.

Shady companies will see this as an opportunity to add to their bottom line, since they’re excused from covering employee expenses.

Since independent contractors aren’t employees, the driver ends up taking full responsibility in event of a citation, violation, or accident. Or they can lose their employment!

Of course, when tax time rolls around and the employee sees a 1099 instead of a W-2, things become more clear.

And by no means is there a problem with using independent contractors, but just make sure you know your status before it‘s too late.

Freight Identity Theft

It’s a pretty nasty scheme, really. Thieves will assume the identity of a trucking company from a deactivated and dormant carrier number from the Department of Transportation.

They then pretend to be a long-established firm with a good safety record, and will go as far as having fake paperwork and documents.

The cons then offer lower bids to freight brokers, and show up to the proper companies. It’s only once they get the goods that they vanish into thin air.

And just like your social security number can be stolen, your employer identification number (EIN) is always at risk for business scams! 

Stay vigilant and protect yourself from business identity fraud.

We know you’re worried about security, so rest assured that the ExpressTruckTax servers, data centers, and US-based customer support center are all in good hands. Your EIN is safe with us!

Whether you need to file your 2290s or generate an IFTA report, we’re here to offer you a safe and secure solution.

New EIN for Your New LLC

A few weeks ago the East Coast was blanketed in a thick layer of snow. In the middle of this snowmageddon, the IRS got behind on their e-filing. When you combine bad weather, hardware failure, and the subsequent maintenance, it’s no wonder the IRS clogged up on issuing Employer Identification Numbers!

Now we know this is just frustrating, but who ever thought the government could be behind on something? Not me, no way. Hmm, never heard of that! We know this is an inconvenience – I mean, maybe you had trouble getting your EIN and then had trouble e-filing your 2290s. Or maybe you went out of your way to turn your trucking business into a LLC, only to find out about the EIN delay.

New Business, New EIN

While nobody wants to face a lawsuit, the best thing you can do for your growing transportation business is prepare a plan for facing legal issues. Well, one potential path for owner-operators to take is becoming a Limited Liability Company (LLC). By becoming a LLC, your trucking business has the option to become a separate entity with its own Tax Identification Number and bank account, and it can’t be named in a personal lawsuit against you.

After you transition to a LLC, you may end up with a new EIN! After obtaining a new EIN, you’ll have to file a new 2290 with your new number, and use your old number to claim a HVUT credit.

Why Should You Become an LLC?

Do you have one truck? Two trucks? A red truck and a blue truck? Ah, you get what I mean. You can file to become an LLC regardless of how many trucks you have. Should you separate your business from your self, though? That’s honestly up to you, and you need to weigh the pros and cons. First up, you’ll protect your personal assets in case of a lawsuit. What’s the trade-off? How you file your taxes will change, and how you account for finances will have to change, too! Keep that in mind as you head down this road.

How Do You Know If You Need a New EIN?

Well, not every new LLC needs a new EIN. But a lot do! If you’re wondering how you know you’ll need a new number, the IRS says you will need a new EIN if any of the following statements are true:

  • You are a new LLC with more than one owner (Multi-member LLC) formed under state law.
  • You are a new LLC with one owner (Single Member LLC) formed under state law and choose to be taxed as a corporation or an S corporation.
  • You are a new LLC with one owner (Single Member LLC) formed under state law, and have an excise tax filing requirement for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2008, or an employment tax filing requirement for wages paid on or after January 1, 2009.

Like we said before, we can’t tell you to become an LLC. But many owner-operators take this path for the added business protections and benefits. After all, you want to protect your livelihood! Have you turned your trucking business into an LLC? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

After you’ve received the EIN for your new LLC, be sure to file your 2290s with ExpressTruckTax! If you have any questions, give us a call at 704.234.6005, reach us on live chat, or shoot us an email!

The Countdown is On: Getting Your EIN

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax season is drawing to a close, Trucking Nation! There’s only a few more days before the deadline and you need to have all your trucks in a row so you can e-file with ease.

The first thing you need in order to e-file your HVUT is your EIN. EIN stands for for Employer Identification Number and it is imperative that you have one before you file.

With only 4 days left to get your 2290s e-filed, it is past time to register for an EIN. Especially since it takes the IRS up to 10 business days for your EIN to become active. Before that your EIN will be rejected by any e-filing system and you will be unable to submit your Form 2290.

While there isn’t enough time for you to get your EIN and still e-file on time, you need to request one right away. Because no matter what you need to e-file! And the sooner you request one, the smaller the penalties.

In order to request your EIN, you can do it one of three ways.

  • You can go directly to the IRS website and request your EIN online
  • You can or call their EIN hotline at 1.800.829.4933, and request your EIN over the phone.
  • Or you can request your EIN through fax or postal mail.

If you don’t have time to get you EIN, or none of those options appeal to you. We have people who can take the reins and do it for you. Not to mention, they’re secure and affordable!

With our friends at ExpressTruckTax Plus, you can get your EIN without ever having to lift a finger. Since they specialize in permits, registrations, and helping truckers e-file for just about anything. Just give them a call at 803.386.0320 or email them at ettplus@expresstrucktax.com to get started.

If you’ve misplaced your EIN, we can help with that as well!

  1. If you’ve e-filed with us before, your EIN is stored in your account! Just login and view your business details, or a previously filed return and voila, you have your EIN.
  2. If you haven’t e-filed with us before, you can check with the bank or local/state institution you’ve applied for a license with. Both should have your EIN on record.
  3. Or you can always call the IRS hotline at 1.800.829.4933, and they’ll give you the EIN directly over the phone after verifying your identity. 

But whatever you do, don’t wait! You need to request your EIN right away and before it’s too late for you to e-file on time. Don’t pay the IRS more than you have to!

If you need any help with the EIN or e-filing your 2290s, then 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 English and Spanish. And they’ll help you e-file in a flash!

With only 4 days left you don’t have time to delay, so e-file today!

Don’t Get Rejected: Simple E-filing Mistakes to Avoid


Mistakes happen, especially on your taxes. But if you don’t take the time to learn from them, you’re doomed to repeat the same mistakes all over again.

And with just 8 days left to e-file before the deadline, you don’t have much room for error. That’s where we come in! Don’t get rejected, avoid these simple e-filing mistakes and make sure that the IRS will accept your return. 

1. Incorrect EIN or VIN

The number one mistake you want to avoid is mixing up some numbers or letters in your EIN, or VIN. Now we know these numbers can be long, and sometimes hard to remember, but you should always check, double check, and triple check to make sure you’ve got it down correctly. 

And you should also make sure you register you EIN right away! It takes the IRS up to two weeks in order to make your EIN active. So if you don’t have one yet, unfortunately it’s too late to get it and still e-file on time.

2. Computation Errors

Tax math can be complicated, but we’ve got an app for that! Not to mention, our automated system automatically calculates what you owe based on a few simple questions about your business and your vehicle. Don’t waste your time doing complicated tax math when we could do all the work for you.

3. Incorrect Filing Status or Filing Year

Sometimes dates and mileage can be tricky, but make sure you know your vehicle well enough to know how to file, and what year to file for. 

Your filing status has a lot to do with your vehicle’s mileage. For instance, if you know you’ve travelled under the 5,000 mile limit (7,500 for agricultural vehicles), you should file your vehicle as suspended. 

Then you need to make sure you’re selecting the correct year to file for. If you’re filing for the most recent tax year, you’ll select the 2015-16 tax year. We actually select it for you as you move through our program, to make things easier for you. So you only have to select a different filing year if you’re filing for a previous tax season.

4. Incorrect First-Used Month

While this error won’t necessarily get your return rejected, it will cause some issues when it comes time to get your new tags.

The HVUT tax year begins July 1st, which means for all renewals the first-used month is automatically July—even if you’re filing in August. The only time you would choose a later month is if you purchased your Heavy Vehicle after the beginning of the HVUT tax year. For example, if you purchased a new truck in September, that becomes your first-used month.

5. Duplicate Vehicle Information

You don’t want to enter in a single vehicle more than once. This mistake could cost you, literally! If you do accidentally enter your vehicle twice, you can easily remedy the situation by selecting the “remove” button located next to the duplicate vehicle.

So be vigilant, Trucking Nation, make sure you’re checking those returns twice, and thrice if you need to. Avoid errors at all costs, especially these common ones!

But if you find yourself unsure or if you have any questions, we’re here for you! We have a dedicated, year-round support team to help you succeed. So give them a call at 704.234.6005, or send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish!

How to Create a New Account with ExpressTruckTax

There’s only just about a month left to e-file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax before the deadline. If you haven’t already e-filed, it’s time to begin your e-filing journey with ExpressTruckTax!

Before beginning your e-filing journey, there are some things to consider. Especially if you’ve never e-filed or created an account with us before. So here’s what you should know before you e-file.

Before You File

Creating an account with us is easy, but before you’re ready to begin the e-filing process, there are some things you need:

  • A computer, tablet, or smartphone
  • An internet connection
  • Your business name and address
  • Your EIN
  • Pro-tip #1: If you haven’t gotten an EIN yet, it takes the IRS 10 business days to make it active in their system. So you need to get one right away to have time to e-file before the deadline. If forgotten your EIN, then give the IRS EIN hotline a call at 1.800.829.4933 to find out your EIN safely and securely.
  • Your VIN
  • Your Gross Vehicle Weight

But once you have all that squared away, you’re ready to get started! All you have to do is go to the New User section and create your FREE account.

Step 1: Creating Your Account

  • Enter your name, phone number, email address, and a password of your choosing. Then select whether you would like to see the site in English or Spanish.
    • Pro-tip #2: To create your account even faster, you can choose to login with your Facebook or Google+ account. To do this, just click on the corresponding Facebook or Google+ icon at the top of the login page and allow ExpressTruckTax access to your account.

Step 2: Entering Your Business Details

  • Then once you’ve setup your initial account, it’s time to enter your business details. This is where the information you needed to know before e-filing comes in. 
    • To get started, choose your business type from the drop-down menu. Select from LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.
  • Then enter your legal business name exactly as the IRS has it stored on record. If the business name doesn’t match, your return could be rejected by the IRS. 
  • Next enter your DBA or “Doing Business As” name. This only needs to be entered in if the name you’re doing business as is different than the name connected to your EIN.
  • Now here the big one! Enter your EIN. And remember, it has to be at least 10 business days old or it won’t work!
  • Then enter your business address and the signing authority if you have a person that is e-filing for your business. This could be your CEO, bookkeeper, spouse, or a CPA.

And that’s it! You’ve created your account. Now you can start e-filing with ease.

If you need any help setting up your account, or e-filing with us, we’ve got a whole team of dedicated support legends to assist you from right here in Rock Hill, SC. So give them 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.

How to E-file For Your Client With ExpressTruckTax

Accountants who use ExpressTruckTax can get some pretty great perks, including being able to e-file for their clients quickly through our easy e-filing software. You won’t find another product where you can e-file for your client in under 10 minutes.

If you’re tired of paper-filing or playing the waiting game for your clients to sign and fax back Form 8453-EX, we have solutions for all of these problems. Setting up your account as a tax preparer with ExpressTruckTax is easy, and as always, we’ve added shortcuts to streamline the process and help simplify your business.

All you need to do is follow three simple steps!

CPA Account Setup

  • If this is your first time using ExpressTruckTax, then go ahead and create an account and make sure you specify that you are a CPA. 
  • If you’ve created an account, simply log in and go to your dashboard.
  • Now all you need to do is enter your accounting firm details and your EIN number.

E-file For Your Client

The next step is to e-file a Form 2290 for your client. With ExpressTruckTax, the whole process from start to finish is very easy.

Step 1: Enter Client’s Account Details

  • Enter their name, business details and, EIN number.
  • Choose to file for the current year

Step 2: Enter Client’s Vehicle Details

  • You can do this in a number of different ways. You can import their vehicles from a CSV file, you can enter them in manually, or you can import them from their virtual garage in TruckZone.
  • Don’t forget any low mileage credits.

Step 3: Client’s Payment Details

  • The final step in the e-filing process is to pay and securely transmit their return to the IRS.
  • Simply select their payment method from the three types the IRS accepts: Direct debit, EFTPS, and check or money order. Then review their information and move on to the next step. This is where you will encounter Form 8453-EX.

E-File in High Gear: Use the Bulk Upload Options

Alternatively, you can bulk upload business details for all of your clients in one fell swoop! It works in the same way that bulk uploading your client’s trucks from an excel file does. And yet again, you can do this in three simple steps!

Step 1: The Excel File

  • Login to your account and under new to business list, select manage businesses

  • Then, on the manage businesses screen, select “Bulk Upload Businesses”
  • A screen prompting you to download our excel template will appear, select to download the template and move on to step two!

Step 2: Enter Businesses

  • Now in the excel file you need to enter your client’s businesses and a few details, including their EIN, phone numbers, fax numbers, and addresses. 

Step 3: Upload File

  • Now all you need to do is upload the file to your ExpressTruckTax account. The rest of the work is done for you!
  • If there are any errors, our system will catch them and let you know on a case-by-case basis what type of error it is and what you need to do to fix it.
  • Then voila! You have all of your clients uploaded.

And that’s all there is to it! when you encounter the Form 8453-EX, all you have to do is send it to your client via your tax portal to be e-signed, by email, or by fax, and then you can securely transmit your client’s return. Then you’re done!

If you need any help during the e-filing process, or you encounter any problems, we’re here for you! Our dedicated support legends can answer all of your heavy vehicle use tax and ExpressTruckTax-related questions with ease.

So give them a call at 704.234.6005 during our new extended business hours from 8AM – 8PM EST or send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish.

Set up Your Account Today for Early Bird Benefits

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! 
_________________________


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.

_________________________

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.

_________________________


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.