Category: expresstrucktax

All You Need To know About Diesel

Posted on April 18, 2019 by - Diesel Additives, Diesel Engine, Diesel Fuel, Diesel versus Gasoline, Environmental Protection Agency, expresstrucktax, Fuel Economy, Fuel Efficiency, IFTA reporting, Semi-Truck Fuel Use

First quarter reporting is due April 30th and we want you to be prepared. Here are some tips to help with that.

  • Research non-taxable and exempt jurisdictions
  • Use IFTA calculator
  • Have important documents put away
  • File on time

If you should be filing your IFTA Report in the next week or so then 10 out of 10 you probably use diesel fuel. Diesel produces more energy than gas, making it more efficient. This is the reason semi-trucks run on diesel. Semi-trucks carry heavy loads and ultimately need more energy to drive further on long hauls. A diesel engine can operate for about 12,000 to 30,000 hours before a maintenance check is needed. Here are some diesel facts that every trucker may be a wonder. A few of which will save you a great bit of time and money. We’ve created a list of things all truckers should know about the fuel that keeps your rig’s engine going.

Why Is Diesel So Expensive?

The first of the probing questions you may have about diesel fuel is ‘why is it so expensive?’. Since 2004 diesel has been higher in price, on a dollar per gallon basis. Part of this reason is that the demand for diesel fuel and other distillate fuel oils is high. The biggest cause of differentiation in prices comes from federal excise tax for on-highway diesel fuel of 24.3 cents per gallon, 6 cents per gallon higher than the federal excise tax on gasoline.

Is There A Dirty Truth?

Diesel isn’t as dirty as you think. As a matter of fact, it has become more environmentally friendly.

The environmental protection agency (EPA) has found a few ways to reduce sulfur levels in diesel fuel, making it better for the environment. Diesel engines use to be known for producing harsh emissions, like soot, air toxins, and other harmful pollutants. Prior to 2006 diesel fuel contained more than 5,000 parts per million (PPM), now it is a regulation that diesel fuel can now produce more than 15 PPM.

What!? I Can’t Be Overweight!

The weight of diesel fuel is roughly 7 Ibs. Per gallon, and varies somewhat from the truck to truck. This is important to make a mental note of since the weight of fuel is calculated when scaling a truck.

Often times truckers will be surprised when they are ticketed for being overweight at the scale, knowing the weight of their rig and cargo combined doesn’t exceed the limit. Doing a bit of mental math will save

you time and money when you approach a scale. It is also a good idea to know where the scales are on your route to avoid fueling, right before you are required to be weighed.

Should I Add An Additive?

Additives are a must. The main use of additives for truckers is to help diesel not crystallize during winter. It is hard to make deliveries when a vehicle’s fuel has stopped flowing.

Being on the go is your job, so it is normal that you experience changes in climate, however being prepared and thinking ahead is required. Traveling from Nevada to Illinois can be a culture shock on anyone, and your engine is no different, so make sure you have an additive with you on the road if you plan on going too much colder states.

Other benefits of additives:

  • Cleans the injection system
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Saves money
  • Increases power

What Massive Collision Is Haunting The US Senate and House?

Posted on April 16, 2019 by - ATA, department of transportation, expresstrucktax, National Transportation Safety Board, OOIDA, Override Crash, Side Underride Guards, STOP Underrides Act, Todd Spencer, Underguards

Since 2017 companion bipartisan bills regarding the use of under-ride guards for road safety have been introduced. In March 2019 the idea was reintroduced and quickly dismissed by ATA and OOIDA. ATA stated that ‘the government should focus more on crash avoidance technologies and
strategies than expensive and unproven collision mitigation equipment.”

The U.S Senate and House have proposed these bills in remembrance of the thousands of victims of under-ride crashes and at the recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

In a recent press release announcing the bill, Representative Mark DeSaulnie (D-CA) stated that at least 300 victims are killed each year from under-ride crashes.

As of now, trailer rear guards (DOT bumpers) are required by law, but the bill’s sponsors say that the current standards are outdated. In rebuttal to this claim OOIDA President, Todd Spencer noted ‘we agree that the underride guards on the back of trailers could be improved, but the proposals as written go too far in broadly, retroactively requiring them on all trucks and trailers. His final statement was that trucking is a diverse industry and attaching side under-ride guards is not a simple task to require them to be attached on all equipment.

The indifference over the topic between the House and Senate versus trucking advocates could essentially go on and on, however, it is okay to assume that everyone wants the same thing which is safer roads. There is no trucker who would want to be a part of a tragic under-ride crash and there is no just-lawmaker who would feel content with having the opportunity to do something and remain silent and out of the conversation.

A Cause With A Name

The Stop Underrides Act, S. 2219, formally known as the Roya, AnnaLeah, and Mary Comprehensive Underride Protection Act of 2017 (RAMCUP Act of 2017), was created in memory of 3 lives lost due to underride crashes. The 3 victims mothers, Marianne Karth, and Lois Durso originally drafted the bill in hopes to prevent under-ride crashes everywhere.

Lois Durso, mother of 26-year old Roya, who lost her life in 2004 recently told reporters, “it is not the crash that kills, it’s the underride. If you can prevent the under-ride, there’s a chance the vehicle occupants will survive.”

The Opposition

Although companion bills have been drafted since 2017, the study to extend underride protection has been going on since 1969 by the Department of Transportation. That is roughly 15,000 deaths that could have been prevented. The U.S Senate and House do not have to rely on the ATA or the OOIDA to make side under-ride guards a requirement, but there are other methods that can help in preventing under-ride crashes.

According to Marianne Karth opposition has come from the trucking industry since 1977 by both manufacturers and haulers. These two parties back their opposition with wanting to see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provide automobiles with capabilities to prevent cars from crashing into trucks.

Karth, as well as other side under-ride guard advocates, commend 4 major trailer manufacturers for their progress to install guards, and also nods the individuals and representatives from the trucking industry involved in her Under-ride Roundtable.

Although those select manufacturers are praised for making progress, Karth has mentioned several times on her blog, dedicated to her two daughters, AnnaLeah and Mary, that she will not give up the fight to seek further action.

Saving someone else from experiencing what both Durso and Karth are going through is the overall goal. Contrary to what ATA and OOIDA believe the requirements these two grieving mothers and lawmakers are hoping to put into place is not designed to cost those in the industry more money.

The requirement is in hopes that lives will be saved and tragic under-rides will cease. To find out more about the tragedies that have sparked this bill, or see how you can help visit http://annaleahmary.com or https://stopunderrides.org.

Podcasts To Keep You Alert On The Road

Posted on April 11, 2019 by - Alert Truck Drivers, expresstrucktax, History Podcasts, Long-Haul Trucking, New Update Podcast, Podcast For Truckers, Road Awareness, Sports Podcast, Trucker Related Podcast, Truckers On The Road

Only listening to music while on the road can get overstimulating. You can easily switch up your listening style by choosing to go the podcast route. Podcast genres range from comedy, sports, drama, thought-provoking and so many others. Podcasts are a good source of entertainment for long hours on the road.

They can bring you daily news, teach you history, keep you laughing, or help you pick up on a second language. The list can go on. Over 21% of Americans listen to podcasts monthly. Join plenty of others in a twenty-first century alternative to fuzzy radio connections when traveling state to state.

Trucking

Trucking Podcast – Created by a trucker for truckers. In efforts to be a resource for truckers and provide some great entertainment for long-haul road adventures, this podcast has developed to the mantra of ‘helping you make more money and rediscover the adventure.’

Trucker Dump Podcast – This podcast is the perfect mixture of information and humor. The Trucker dump Podcast will give you insight into the trucking industry, both good and bad from the standpoint of a pretty comedic trucker. You can find this podcast on Apple Podcast, Google podcast, Spotify, and even Stitcher.

BigRigBanter – If you are looking for laughs and a good source for trucking news, BigRigBanter is the podcast for you. Hear from two experienced journalists, as they interview some big names from the ruck industry. If you want education and entertainment you can find this podcast on Google Podcast, iTunes, and TuneIn.

News

PBS NewsHour – This podcast does a great job at covering news relating to politics, science, health, business, art, innovation and much more. Updates, in-depth reports and interviews all feature PBS’ senior correspondents

BBC Global News – The 25 to 30-minute podcast episodes featured on BBC Global News are produced twice daily on weekdays and once daily on weekends. This podcast is a great way to stay current on the world’s development. It is a one-stop-shop for all your global news. It addresses new policies, global scandals, political elections, natural disasters, trends, and anything else in between.

Thought-Provoking

Freakonomics – This podcast is inspired by the best selling books Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J Dubner. If you want a fresh perspective on life and on the modern world this podcast will do the trick. The host shows how economics is the study of incentives: how people get what they want, or need, when others want or need the same thing.

No Such Thing As Fish – A podcast dedicated to fun facts discovered weekly. If you have a desire to learn semi-useless information this podcast is for you. The trivial and trivia topics discussed will humor you and intrigue you all within 40 minutes.

History

Stuff You Missed In History Class -With a comprehensive range of topics. podcast host; Tracy V. Wilson and Holly Frey bring all listeners a holistic approach to history and how the past affects the present.

Hardcore History – Part storyteller, part analysis, Dan Carlin masters the art of dissecting subjects and viewing them from various angles. He is quick to inject modern debates in his history lessons in an original way.

Sports

First Take – Stephen A. Smith and other known sports analysts discuss the top sports news, which often leads to heated debates. Breaking down the top 10 sports stories each day the hosts do a great job keeping listeners laughing, and informed.

Courtside with Katz & Coach G – Missed out on March Madness? Don’t sweat it. Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg give you an all-access pass inside the world of college basketball.

Give music a rest and opt-in to become a subscriber to one of these podcasts.

This may not be the same as having an intellectual conversation with another person, but it will be something different than the 10 songs that loop in your cab on a 5-hour haul.

Top 3 Trucking Awesome Women Of All Time

Posted on April 4, 2019 by - All Girls Trucking, Eliascostas, Ellen Voie, expresstrucktax, Lillie Drennan, The Future is Female, Transportation Innovators, Transportation Management, Women in Trucking, Women’s History Month

If you weren’t aware, last month was Women’s History Month. Who would we be not to acknowledge the women who have impacted the trucking industry with huge strides? Here are three women from the past, present, and future who have either paved the way for women truckers trailing the highways, gave them a sense of community, or inspired them to take the leap into a career change.

Past: Lillie Elizabeth Drennan

Drennan became the first licensed female truck driver and trucking-firm owner in 1928. Drennan and her husband started their trucking company as a way to take advantage of an oil boom. A year later Drennan divorced her then-husband, Willard Ernest Drennan and took sole ownership of Drennan Truck Line and in the same year received her commercial truck-driver’s license.

Drennan’s accomplishments did not happen without a fight. During this time the Railroad Commission regulated motor-freight. The Railroad Commission claimed that her partial hearing loss prevented a safety concern, but the determined Drennan challenged them. Her quest was for the commission to find a man with a better record than hers on the road, and when their search came up empty she was awarded her license.

Honorable mention:

Luella Bates – First woman truck driver (1918)

Rusty Dow – First woman to drive with a full load on the Alaska Highway (1944)

Present: Ellen Voie

Voie is the founder, president and CEO of Women In Trucking, a nonprofit that encourages women to find career paths in the trucking industry. In 2018 the National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) named her the Transportation Person of the Year. Although the organization she founded is a little over a decade she has been in the trucking industry for nearly 4 decades. It all began in 1980 when she earned her diploma in Traffic and Transportation Management while working as the Transportation Manager for a steel fabricating plant in central Wisconsin.

Since then she has received a number of accolades for her work. One of those was a prestigious honor from the White House in 2012, as a Transportation Innovators Champion of Change. More recently she was listed as one of the “30 Most Innovative CEOs to Watch”.

Future: Angela Eliacostas

Recently awarded the “Influential Woman In Trucking Award”, Eliacostas is indeed a woman to pay attention to in the truck industry. She got her start in the industry as a single mother of four, working as a part-time billing clerk for BBI Trucking Company. Over time Eliacostas worked her way up and has now found herself as the founder and CEO of All Girls Transportation and Logistics (AGT).

AGT specializes in integrating transportation and logistics functions for top-tier companies around the world. The company Eliacostas launched, in 2005, is consistently ranked as a top 50 Illinois and top 1000 U.S. certified women-owned business.

The ambition she has to succeed in the trucking industry is owed to her father, a former long-haul trucker. She recalls him giving her a key piece of advice in her early career years – “this is like a vacuum. It’s going to suck you in.” Years later she states that his advice was right, “I got in it, and I just couldn’t get in enough.”

Honorable Mentions

Desiree Wood – Founder of REAL Women In Trucking

Steph ‘Hammer Down’ Custance – Ice Road Trucker cast member

Take the time to honor a woman who makes what you do easier. Whether it is a significant other, a fellow hauler, or anyone who comes to your mind when you hear the term ‘impactful woman’.

The future of the trucking industry is women and it is our duty to make the path for them to enter, clear.

Cheers to impactful women all around. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.

Happy (Belated) Women’s History Month!

Was The Driver Shortage All A Hoax

Posted on April 2, 2019 by - American Trucking Association, driver shortage, expresstrucktax, Jared Polis, Low Trucker Wages, Truck Drivers Needed, Truck Industry News, Trucker Compensation, Trucker Qualifications, U.S Bureau of Labor

For over a decade the American Trucking Association (ATA) has been a ring leader in sounding the alarm for the demand of truck drivers in the industry, due to a driver shortage. It has even been predicted that the shortage would increase to roughly 100,000 drivers by 2021.
A more recent study released by the U.S Bureau of Labor (BLS) shows evidence that the trucking industry “works as well as any other blue-collar labor market and poses no constraints on entry into (or exit from) the occupation.”

The Truck Driver Shortage “Myth”

In the study it was revealed that the shortage is a matter dealing primarily with low wages and long hours than the off balanced ratio of truckers to surges in demand, within the industry. After careful review and study in trends the U.S. Department of Labor is speaking out against what the ATA has been driving into the minds trucking advocates across America.

There are many lawmakers who have jumped the gun in order to combat the decade long myth that seems to be the big news affecting the industry. There are 48 states that allow 18 year olds to obtain a commercial driver’s license. Among those is Colorado governor, Jared Polis, who recently signed a bill lowering interstate trucking age limits, just this year. According to Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) the solution of lowering the age opens the door to incidents. Safety groups have opposed the tactic since the beginning, contending that drivers 21 and younger lack the experience to operate heavy machinery, that can reach up to 60,000 Ibs. when loaded.

Instead of finding legitimate solutions, the misinterpretation of high turnover in the industry has taken the focus off the key issues of high mistreatment of workers and low wages, and placed it on the opposite. It is reported that recruiting more drivers will create competition for wages, encouraging drivers to sell themselves short in order to get the job.

Effective Methods

With the real reason behind such high turnover revealed, it is easy for industry leaders to strategize to uncover ways to fix the issue. Turnover rates have reached up to 98%, since mid 2017. In this instance maintaining good retention is crucial to make the industry work for everyone. There are various ways to do so and lower the turnover rate for the industry, as a whole.

Time Well Compensated

Compensation and benefits have been used as incentive methods to bring in more drivers. Adding a promise of consistency will lessen the turnover rate drastically. Gordon Klemp, founder and president of the National Transportation Institute, uncovered that the increase in recent turnover was also affected by drivers uprooting to find fleets offering higher wages. This caused a lot of movement within the job market. Keeping a close eye on trends in wages will even the playing field and stabilize the amount of movement in the market.

Improved Selection Process

It is important for fleets to not overlook the step of measuring and controlling the cost of replacing a driver. Hiring the wrong person can cost thousands. That is why the selection process should be a little more detailed than checking off a CDL box and whether or not they can dress the part with a hat and flannel. Establishing and Identifying warning signs in applicant’s background and past work experiences can separate finding a diamond in the rough as far as an employee, or finding someone who only looks the part and lacks in important areas.

The Balancing Act Of Living A Healthy Life On The Road

Posted on March 28, 2019 by - expresstrucktax, Healthy Balance for Truckers, mental health, Road Snacks, Truckers Families, Truckers Relationship Health, Trucking Activities, Trucking Benefits, Trucking Physical Health, Work-Life Balance

Managing work-life balance can be tough, but it is even tougher when you feel like life is 5,000 miles away from work. There are plenty of benefits that come with truck industry jobs. 401k, insurance, great pay and independence are a few of the perks given to truck drivers, but when it comes to helping you maintain a balance between life and work you may find that it isn’t included in the benefits package.

A Healthy Life Is A Wealthy Life

The first area of your life that becomes neglected is your physical health. A life on the go calls for fast-food and on the go snacks. In bulk these things can take a huge toll on your weight and energy. Every trucker is mindful of the fuel that goes into their rig, so why not be as concerned about the fuel that goes into your own bodies. Lack of nutrition in the body can make you feel sluggish, every truckers nightmare when it comes to having a long haul ahead of you.

Tip: To find a healthy balance prepare road snacks with plenty of nutrition to boost your energy and not zap it. Try pre-washed fruits and vegetables, and nuts for a bit of protein. Making your way to the gym isn’t ideal with a life on the road. Luckily there are plenty of methods to boost your heart rate than an elliptical. Free weights and a jump rope are both small enough to be carried on the road with you and make for a great full body workout.

Mental Health Matters

Being stuck in a truck cab alone for hours on end can get lonely and in some cases lead to burnout. It’s important that you keep your mind active and away from daydreaming to protect yourself and others on the road at all times. Some may not choose to believe this, but when you look your best you feel your best. Although, as a trucker you are typically to yourself, for
most of the day, but small adjustments to the outward appearance can boost how you view yourself.

Tip: Try listening to music, audiobooks, podcasts or finding a second language to pick up and practice using an app. Keeping your mind focused on something other than those things going wrong is beneficial to mental health. Even the way we dress can put us in an overall better mood. We don’t suggest you wear a three piece suit, but by buying a new lotion with a scent that reminds you of home or wearing a shirt that’s soft and comfy will likely take you from being dreary to happy.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Of course being away from your family is one of the biggest downfalls of the career, but the coming home part isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows. Veteran truck drivers can attest that it is easy to come home and feel the need to hibernate or over do it when it comes to getting neglected errands done and chores taken care of, but making time for your family when you get the chance is important. You may have video chatted for hours, but nothing compares to being able to tuck your kids in and make sure everyone is at one table for dinner. You miss out on the little moments that make for big memories, so making up for that time, in creative ways, adds to the relationship.

Tip: If you have children make them feel connected to you when you’re on the road by telling them where you’re headed and have them do research on fun facts you can discuss when you get home. Do something similar with your significant other, such as purchasing a book you two can read together, being sure to purchase yourself the audio version. These are the people who you’re on the road for, and making them happy involves making real time for them.

Being a trucker is not easy and neither is creating a work-life balance. It requires commitment and if having a work-life balance is important to you, you’ll want to work for it. Following these tips will help you develop your own ideas to maintain good physical, mental and relationship health.

Are You Ready for the Upcoming UCR Deadline?

Posted on December 31, 2018 by - ”trucking company”, department of transportation, expresstrucktax, ExpressTruckTax benefits, UCR, Unified carrier registration

ExpressTruckTax has some excellent news for the trucking industry! You are now able to complete your annual Unified Carrier Registration process for 2019.

Unified Carrier Registration, or UCR, requires that drivers and companies who operate a commercial motor vehicle for interstate or international commerce, register their business with the state and pay an annual fee based on the size of the fleet.

If you’re a broker, private carrier, or freight forwarder, you are required to register and pay also.

When Do I Need To Register & Pay My UCR Fees?

Great question! You have until April 1 to register and pay your annual fees UCR for 2019.

Here’s what you’ll have to pay this year and next for UCR:

Where Can I Register & Pay UCR Fees?

You can register, process, and pay for your Unified Carrier Registration, or UCR, fees in one place at the Official UCR Board Certified Registration website.

April 1st will be here before you know it, so take a moment and handle your UCR requirements today while you still have time!


What You Need To Know About The UCR Delay

Posted on December 6, 2018 by - 2019 UCR delay, annual fees, expresstrucktax, FMCSA, UCR, UCR 2019

Truck driving during Fall season preparing for fees after the 2019 UCR delay ends

Registration for the 2019 UCR is currently at a standstill until further notice per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pending rulemaking process for 2019 fee levels. Following the FMCSA’s initial notice of proposed rulemaking in August to reduce UCR fees for 2019, the UCR delay was announced in October.

We’ve done some research during the “UCR waiting game” to provide you with what you need to know about the UCR delay.

What is UCR?

Unified Carrier Registration, or UCR, requires that drivers and companies who operate a commercial motor vehicle for interstate or international commerce, register their business with the state and pay an annual fee based on the size of the fleet.

Fees for this registration change annually and has been proposed to be nearly 18 percent less than the 2017 level to ensure fee revenues do not exceed the maximum statutory amount.

Proposed Annual Fee for 2019 UCR

According to the FMCSA notice of proposed rulemaking, 2019 proposed fees for motor carriers and brokers with zero to two power units would be $63, which is a decrease of $6 from the 2018 UCR fee. However, the UCR board originally anticipated the need to charge $10 more than this amount for the smallest of motor carriers.

Furthermore, the notice stated that “FMCSA proposes reductions in the annual registration fees states collect from motor carriers, motor private carriers of property, brokers, freight forwarders and leasing companies for the UCR plan and agreement for 2019, 2020 and subsequent registration years.”

Proposed Fees for 2019

0-2 trucks…………………………$63
3-5 trucks……………………….$187
6-20 trucks……………………..$372
21-100 trucks……………….$1,299
101-1,000 trucks…………..$6,190
1,001 trucks and more…$60,441

Stay Informed & Be Prepared To Register

Registration along with the collection of UCR 2019 fees was scheduled to begin October 1, but will most likely be delayed until after the start of the new year. Be on the lookout for updates from ExpressTruckTax regarding final 2019 UCR fees and how to register, process, and pay for your Unified Carrier Registration.

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Everything You Need to Know About Reefer Fuel Regarding IFTA?

Posted on October 9, 2018 by - express truck tax, expresstrucktax, Federal fuel tax, Hvut 2290, IFTA calculator, ifta deadline, ifta fuel tax, IFTA mileage Calculator, IFTA online filing, IFTA reporting, IFTA Tax Calculator

Everything You Need to Know About Reefer Fuel Regarding IFTA?

Personally, I’m a big believer in being prepared for anything and coincidence truckers are the same way. You never know what can happen, so it’s always best to be ready. When it comes to the International Fuel Tax Agreement, you can never be too prepared, and the learning never ends. The rules governing IFTA are a bit lengthy, and every single state is different, but don’t let that stress you out. IFTA is a lot easier when it is broken down, so let’s go over everything you need to know about reefer fuel regarding IFTA.

What is Reefer Fuel?

First of all, reefer fuel is NOT included when filing IFTA when it is used to power the refrigeration unit of the trailer. You should always purchase reefer fuel on a separate fuel receipt.

Never pump reefer fuel on the same fuel receipt when fueling your power unit. This will lower your MPG and cost you more IFTA fuel tax. Also, if you are selected for an IFTA audit, and it is discovered that you combined reefer fuel into your power unit file, you will be penalized and incur added interest on your IFTA audit.

IFTA & Reefer Fuel

You are entitled to a federal tax refund on each gallon of reefer fuel. You will need the total number of gallons of reefer fuel purchased during the tax year to complete the refund form. The IRS will send you a check for the federal tax paid on each gallon of fuel. If you failed to file for this refund, you could file back for the past three years to claim your refund.


Everything You Need to Know About Reefer Fuel Regarding IFTA?You will want to check with your base jurisdiction to see how they handle reefer fuel. In Maryland, for example, if you only have one tank that propels your vehicle and runs the refrigeration unit, then all fuel is included in IFTA. If you have two separate containers, you need to fuel separately and make sure reefer is marked on the receipt. Do not add the reefer fuel on IFTA and you will able to get a refund by filing a claim.

So if you are operating an IFTA “Qualified Motor Vehicle” with a reefer unit, make sure to have the reefer fuel on a separate receipt and don’t include reefer duel on your IFTA return.

Generate Your IFTA Tax Report Today!

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

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

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

File Your IFTA Taxes Online

Have You Received an IRS Letter About Non-Payment?

Posted on September 27, 2018 by - 2290 tax due date, express truck tax, expresstrucktax, form 2290 due date, Form 2290 filing, Heavy highway use tax, heavy use tax, Pay 2290 with credit card, Schedule 1 form 2290

Don’t fret just yet! The IRS does this every year (we haven’t figured out why yet). If you filed close to the IRS Form 2290 deadline, there’s a good chance you’ve received one of these lovely letters from the IRS stating you never paid your 2290 tax.

Our best guess is that the IRS systems don’t communicate information all that well, especially when the volume of returns is so high. What we do know is this happens every year, and historically the IRS will send you a follow-up letter in a couple of weeks telling you the first letter was sent in error. So before you panic or throw this letter away, please double check to be sure the full tax amount was paid:

Why Would The IRS Send me a Letter?

It is likely an error on their end, but you always want to make sure. Before you panic or brush off the notice take the following steps:

Have You Received an IRS Letter About Non-Payment?1. Check how you chose to pay the IRS. (EFW, EFTPS, Credit/Debit, Or check/money order)

2. If you chose Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW) check your bank statement to verify the funds were successfully drafted from your account. If they were, you should be in the clear! Wait for a follow-up letter. However, if the amount has not been removed, we encourage you to contact us. There could have been an error when entering your account information.

3. If you chose to pay the tax with a debit or credit card make sure you did make that payment separately. (Note: This payment would’ve been made outside ExpressTruckTax after you completed your filing) If you didn’t realize this or forgot to pay, you can pay through Official Payments.

Always Happy To Help!

If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at 704-234-6005. We are always happy to help!

If you still need to file your Form 2290 click here. It is wise to file as soon as possible even if you can’t make the full IRS payment.