Category: expresstrucktax

How to Choose a Service Provider for Form 2290?

Posted on June 6, 2011 by - 2290 form, 2290 tax, 2290 VIN Correction, E-file Form 2290 for $9.90 only, expresstrucktax, Form 2290, Form 2290 Authorized e-file Provider, IFTA Information, IRS form 2290, Tax 2290

If you are required to file HVUT, or Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, then you are familiar with the IRS Form 2290.  If you have been paying these taxes for many years, then you likely to be more familiar with the process for paper filing. However, there have been some huge technology advances in the past few years and the IRS does now accept and encourage taxpayers to E-File their 2290 Form.  

There are several online service providers for the IRS Form 2290, and you need to select the one that is right for you!  In making these decisions, there are a few things that you should consider. When you select a provider, make sure that they are an authorized IRS E-File Provider, make sure that they can handle all of your truck tax needs, and it is best to find a provider that is entirely web-based.

As for the Authorized E-File Providers, you should look on their website for a statement that they are indeed authorized by the IRS to E-File. You can also refer to the IRS Website to see a complete list of Authorized E-File Providers.  

If you are filing Truck Taxes for more than just the Form 2290, such as IFTA, or Form 8849 then it would be beneficial to have them all filed from the same place. Some service providers are exclusively for Form 2290, or Form 8849, etc. It would be most economical and convenient to get them all filed in the same place.

The benefits of a web-based system are many. If the system is not web based, then there is less reason to use them.  The IRS recommends E-Filing because of it’s speed and security. If you are required to download lots of files and store information on your computer, your system is not completely web based. The benefits of a web-based system are obviously the speed of transfer to the IRS when you are finished, but also the security of storing your information online instead of on your computer.  

ExpressTruckTax.com is one such provider. It is entirely web-based, they are a one-stop-shop for truck tax needs, and they are authorized by the IRS as an official E-File provider. If you need any help, you can also contact their wonderful, Customer support team!  They offer live chat & phone support Mon-Fri, as well as email support 24/7.

Tips For Owner-Operator To E-file IRS Tax 2290 Forms

Posted on May 11, 2011 by - 2290 form, 2290 online, 2290 tax, Express2290, expresstrucktax, Form 2290, Free VIN Correction, HVUT online, IRS form 2290, Tax 2290, Truck Tax

If you own and operate a heavy vehicle on public highways, then you are aware of the challenges and difficulties associated with that job. Not only is the job of an owner operator incredibly tough, there are also several different taxes that owner operators must file for each heavy vehicle yearly.  These include Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) which includes IRS Form 2290 and IRS Form 8849. Another Truck Tax that can be filed is the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).  

Filing HVUT with IRS Form 2290 has its own set of meticulous instructions. Form 2290 is in 2 parts. The first part is referred to as a Schedule 1. This form must be filled out and stamped by the IRS in order for the vehicle to be registered with the Department of Motor vehicles. The traditional filing process for this form requires an actual stamp from the IRS, which can be obtained in two ways. One can mail the form to the IRS office and wait for the stamped form to be sent in the mail, which can take several weeks. The other option is to actually travel to the nearest IRS office and get it stamped in person. This is also a very time consuming option.

The process for filing IFTA is also very confusing. Each driver must take detailed notes for both how many miles were traveled, and how much fuel was purchased in each state or province.  The purpose of this is so that the Fuel Tax (IFTA) is accurately distributed to all of the states and provinces that were involved.  

Fortunately, this process has been simplified for both of these filings. ExpressTruckTax.com serves as a one-stop-shop for all truck tax needs!  Express Truck Tax allows drivers to E-File a Form 2290 online with the IRS and receive a stamped Schedule 1 in minutes. The IFTA process is also much easier thanks to the online tools that Express Truck Tax has to offer. With features like online trip sheets and abnormal MPG audits, Express Truck Tax has what it takes to get you on the road with as little paperwork as possible!  

Organizing IFTA(International Fuel Tax Agreement)

Posted on May 2, 2011 by - 2290 form, 2290 Schedule 1, 2290 tax, 2290 VIN Correction, e-file your truck tax, Express VIN Correction, expresstrucktax, Form 2290, Get 2290 Schedule 1 in minutes

The International Fuel Tax Agreement, or IFTA, requires certain vehicles to pay a Fuel Tax to each state that it was driven in. IFTA is a tax collection agreement among the 48 contiguous United States and the 10 Canadian Provinces bordering the US.

IFTA requires a report for each vehicle of how many miles were travelled as well as the amount of fuel that was purchased in each state or province. This helps accurately allocate how the payments collected through IFTA are distributed.  For example, if a vehicle drove through a state, but did not purchase any fuel in that state, part of the vehicle’s IFTA payment would be distributed to the state without any fuel purchases because it used the roads of the state, but payed no taxes for the fuel consumed within that state.

These reports can be very difficult to keep a record of, but fortunately, ExpressTruckTax.com has built a tool that can help drivers accurately keep a record of their Fuel Use. It is even possible to generate state IFTA returns online with this program. This program also has some built-in auditing features that can check for common mistakes made on these returns. This will therefore, limit your risk of being audited because of IFTA. Some of the features include, but are not limited to: State Adjacency Check, Abnormal MPG Audit, and Free Online Trip Sheets!

Filing a Form 2290 with the IRS

Posted on March 24, 2011 by - 2290 form, 2290 tax, efile form 2290, express 2290, express form 2290, expresstrucktax, file HVUT, Form 2290, heavy vehicle use tax, IRS form 2290, Tax 2290, tax highway

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, or HVUT, must be filed with the IRS for any highway motor vehicle that exceeds a gross weight of 55,000 pounds.  IRS Form 2290 Schedule 1 is used to report all vehicles for which you are reporting tax (including an increase in taxable gross weight) and those that you are reporting suspension of the tax by category and vehicle identification number (VIN).  The Schedule 1 may also be used as proof of payment to register your vehicle in any state. Use the stamped Schedule 1 that was returned to you by the IRS for this purpose.

Who Must File?
You must file a Form 2290 and Schedule 1 for the tax period beginning on July 1, 2010, and ending on June 30, 2011, if a highway motor vehicle is registered, or required to be registered, in your name under state, District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law at the time of its first use during the period and the vehicle has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.  Any type of business entity may file a Form 2290 with the IRS.

What Vehicles are Taxable?
The IRS considers taxable Highway Motor Vehicles to be any self-propelled vehicle that is designed to carry a load over public highways.  Examples of such vehicles include trucks, truck tractors, and buses.  The IRS typically does not consider vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks, panel trucks, or similar vehicles because they do not typically weigh 55,000 pounds or more.  A vehicle may consist of a chassis, or a chassis and a body, but does not include the load of the vehicle.  

Who is Exempt?
Although it is rare, some Vehicles that fit the above description may be exempt from the HVUT and Filing requirements of Form 2290.  To officially be exempt from filing Form 2290, the vehicle must be owned and operated by the following:
  • The Federal Government
  • The District of Columbia
  • state or local government
  • American National Red Cross
  • Non-Profit Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Association, or Rescue Squad
  • Indian Tribe Government (Only if the Vehicle is Used for essential Tribe or Government Function)
  • Mass Transportation Authority (Only if granted certain powers normally exercised by the state)
  • Qualified Blood Collector Vehicles
  • Mobile Machinery that meets specifications for a chassis


When to File?
A Form 2290 must be filed annually, for each taxable vehicle that is used on public highways during the current period.  The Current Period is from July 1, 2010 and ends on June 30, 2011.  A Form 2290 must also be filed once a vehicle is placed in service.  The due date for each month is the last day of the following month.  For example: if a vehicle is placed in service on October 3rd, the Form 2290 will be due on November 30th.  

How to File?
Although it is possible to paper file, E-Filing is required for each return containing at least 25 vehicles.  The IRS does encourage everyone to file electronically due to its security and speed.  This is highly recommended for Form 2290 in particular because the filing due dates are always only one month away.  There are several providers of services that can help you E-File Form 2290 with the IRS, one such provider is www.expresstrucktax.com.  They provide a very excellent service for all Truck Tax Needs. 

Riding The Freight Rates Roller Coaster

Posted on January 14, 2011 by - ”small trucking company”, expresstrucktax, freight rate volatility, freight rates, supply and demand, Tax 2290, Truck Tax

Featured Blogger
Benjamin Bellville
If you are planning to start a small trucking company you will need to understand the way freight rates work. Without knowing the cycle of things you might just be in for a surprise that will come up behind you and mug you out of the blue. In other businesses the scheme of things work on supply and demand more so then they do in trucking. Here’s what you can look forward to.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not trying to create a sense that going into the trucking business is a mistake, I’m simply not going to sugar coat it like so many people do. By knowing how things really work you will be better prepared for the volatility that goes hand in hand with trucking. While the rewards can at times be fruitful, at other times it’s similar to ramming your head off a brick wall continuously. You have to be stubborn and have a firm backbone to survive these times or you might go mad.

When you read reports that freight tonnage is on the rise in America you might get a little excited thinking that immediately you will start seeing higher freight rates, but that is false hope. Like seasons of the year trucking runs on a cycle. It’s not set in stone when these cycles will kick in, but once you get the feel for it you can adjust your operations accordingly to make it through the rough patches easier.

Usually it takes 2-3 months for freight rates to rise when consumption is on an incline. Your main cost involved with moving freight is of course fuel. Fuel prices have no rhyme or reason and more often than not when freight rates are down the oil companies are looking to maintain profit by raising their prices. I know it makes no sense, but this is normally how it happens. As freight rates start to rise and trucking companies begin buying more fuel then the price of fuel will drop again, but much slower than the time it took to rise.

Because of this effect what happens is there are several sweet spots throughout the year that are short lived pockets of higher profits. The freight rates rise slowly and the fuel prices fall slowly and eventually meet at a point where they float for a moment in perfect harmony.

When you learn to get the feel for this happening then you can be ready to jump on the market like an old school fake wrestler off the top rope. Don’t get discouraged, trucking is a big boy/girl ride full of extreme twists and turns, but when you learn to take advantage of the good times you will be better prepared to crawl through the bad.

Speaking of being prepared to take advantage of a market in your favor you should check out how ExpressTruckTax makes it a trucking company owners market all year when it comes to your trucking taxes.