Category: Form 2290

Pre-File Heavy Highway Use Tax for 2016-17 with our Mobile App

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, e-file, ExpressTruckTax app, Form 2290, Form 2290 Online, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, IRS, irs 2290, pre-file, pre-file 2290, pre-file form 2290, pre-file irs, Pre-filing, stamped Schedule 1

Pre-File HVUT 2290 from Mobile App

Mobile Filing

Have you met the ExpressTruckTax mobile app? It’s the fastest and easiest way to stay out on the road and e-file Form 2290! The app is available for both iOS and Android, and can even alert you that your return was accepted with a push notification. Check out the ExpressTruckTax Mobile app today!

How Easy is E-Filing Form 2290?

In order to e-file form 2290, you need to follow these four steps. Be warned – they’re super easy.

E Filing Form 2290

Create your account.
Enter your business and truck information.
Transmit to the IRS.
Get your stamped Schedule 1 (it’s your proof of payment).

Whoever said it was difficult to e-file your heavy vehicle use taxes?

What’s up with the Stamped Schedule 1?

When you e-file your 2290 with ExpressTruckTax, the IRS receives your payment and checks your return with their database.

After they receive your 2290, the Schedule 1 will display an IRS e-file watermark with the date the return was received and processed. This will be accepted by all DOT’s, DMV’s, and other federal authorities.

ExpressTruckTax automatically emails your stamped Schedule 1 after the IRS accepts your 2290. We can also send you updates via text and fax–plus we can even notify your company/carrier.

Pre-File 2290 with ExpressTruckTax

How does pre-filing work? Pre-filing works the same way regular e-filing does, except you pre-file your 2290 a whole month early. That means you can e-file for the upcoming tax year in June! That’s a whole month early!

Plus when you pre-file pre-file IRS Form 2290 now, you can still pay later! Pre-filing allows you to find out how much you owe so you can start saving money, then pay your taxes by August 31. Budgeting is awesome.

So don’t put off e-filing your IRS 2290! Instead, let’s work together to pre-file HVUT Form 2290.

Related Blog: Pre-File Your 2290 Now!

Pre-File Your 2290 Now!

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290 e-file, E-file 2290 form, Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, Federal HVUT, Form 2290, Pre-filing

Pre-File Your 2290 Now!

Whether you’re a trucker or a trucking company, you know that HVUT season is rapidly approaching.

Of course, here at ExpressTruckTax, it’s already begun. How’s that?

Easy – starting today, we’re offering pre-filing for the 2016-17 heavy vehicle use tax season. One month early!

So instead of waiting until the last moment to e-file your 2290s, pre-file now and get back to what you need to do – driving.

It’s Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Time

The HVUT season runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year.

If you’re an owner operator, leasing company, trucking company, or any other business that owns heavy vehicles with a gross weight above 55,000 pounds traveling on public highways, you must file form 2290.

Usually, you can’t start filing until the tax period begins on July 1, but we’ve gone ahead and started pre-filing now.

What is Pre-Filing?

Pre-filing is the easiest way to e-file your taxes early. You can get ahead of the game by filing an entire month early. After you’re done pre-filing your return, ExpressTruckTax will hold onto it until July 1st—once the IRS starts accepting 2290s, yours will be at the top of the stack.

Should I Pre-File Form 2290? Why?

Even though the tax period hasn’t started for the 2016-17 season, pre-filing starts now! With pre-filing, users get advantages they won’t get once the official season starts. They include:

Finishing your taxes early, leaving more time to focus on work and life
No additional cost to pre-file
When selecting the check (or) money order option, you will get until August 31st to pay the IRS, giving you almost 3 months to save for the amount of tax you owe
Your Form 2290 will be automatically transmitted to the IRS on July 1st, so you will receive your stamped schedule 1 in minutes once transmitted
If the return is rejected for any reason, you have plenty of time to re-submit it before August 31st, making it much easier to avoid late penalties
VIN corrections and retransmissions for rejected returns are FREE for anyone who e-files with ExpressTruckTax
Customer support is available via phone, live chat, and email, with 24/7 emergency email support

If you have any questions about pre-filing 2290, (or) have questions about the e-filing process, we’ll be here to help. Give us a call at 704.234.6005!

Happy pre-filing, Trucking Nation!

7 Ways Truckers Can Prevent Accidents

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, accident prevention, Accidents, blind spots, Form 2290, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, safety, sleep deprivation, Truck, truckers, trucking nation

Prevent Truck Accidents

There’s nothing worse than a close call on the highway. Well, except for an actual incident!

So what’s the cause of the many trucking accidents? It’s hard to pick one thing, but we know there are a few key factors that always come up.

How can you prevent accidents on the road? By starting with yourself!

We’ve listened to truckers and health experts to put together these 7 tips for accident prevention.

Get More Sleep

Nothing is more dangerous than falling asleep behind the wheel of a 70,000 lb truck speeding down the highway. Which is why you hear so many people in the industry discussing the sleeping patterns, health, and practices of drivers. Federal regulations do not allow more than 12 consecutive hours of road time, but there are many drivers who do more than this.

How can you avoid sleep deprivation? Rest for short intervals and take breaks when you’re tired. With small amounts of recharge time, you can prevent sleep related accidents.

Sit with Proper Posture

Over at TruckLogics blog, we told you about how you need to watch your back while you drive. And it’s true! When you sit comfortably and don’t damage your back, you reduce the likelihood of personal injury and even roadside incidents.

Related Blog: Is Your Truck Destroying Your Back?

Keep Your Distance

Always be aware of your lane distance as you cross the highways. Knowing your stopping and starting distance, break distance, and proper speeds will be essential for proper safety on the roads.

Stay Healthy

You know what sounds dangerous? Having a heart attack as you zoom down I-95, or any local highway.

That’s why we constantly tell drivers to eat healthy and exercise. Sure, exhaustion is dangerous enough, but your heart will be all the better with proper nutrition and regular exercise. With that one-two punch, you can reduce your excess weight

Bet you’d improve your sleep, too!

Watch for Blind Spots

Depending on what truck you’re driving, your blind spot is gonna be different. Make sure you know what your blind spot distance is, so you will know how far away a car or a person really is from your truck.

This will prevent major accidents on the road, when backing up, and even when removing items from your truck during a delivery.

Maintain Your Truck

Sure, maybe your employer is “responsible” for truck maintenance as a whole, but you should always implement pre-trip inspections and keep an eye on your truck out there on the road. These checks not only reduce the possibilities for something to go wrong, they also keep you secure in your work and your driving.

Manage Your Time & Profession

Time is money. Trucking is money. Instead of reacting to what happens on the road, plan ahead and document frequently. What we’re saying is, use a trucking software like TruckLogics to stay ahead of the game.

Sure, it might not prevent an accident as well as keeping the proper distance, but having access to all of your receipts, bills of lading, and invoices in one handy phone app will reduce a lot of the stress of your life.

Don’t forget, we’re only a few months away from your 2290 deadline – be sure to keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest HVUT e-filing updates!

4 HVUT Errors You’ve Already Made

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290 Amendment, 2290 deadline, 2290 Free VIN Correction, Form 2290, go paperless

Sure, Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes aren’t due until August, but do you know the most common errors?

While we have audit and error checks built into ExpressTruckTax, there are always a some user-end errors you need to watch out for.

The last thing you want is for one to slip by the cracks and go unnoticed until it’s too late!

Hopefully you haven’t made any of these, but we will do our best to guide you through these troubled waters.

Your VIN Was Mistyped

Honestly, this is one of the most common errors we hear about. With vehicle identification numbers being a 17-digit string of characters, who can be blamed?

Since these codes are frequently entered wrong, we know that plenty of truckers have to deal with this.

Now, really this is between you and the IRS, because you might file with the wrong VIN and never know. Yeah, that’ll be bad if you need to present your schedule 1 to some aspect of the law.

And don’t forget, your VIN numbers will never contain an O, I, or Q, unless the truck is over 20 years old.

So if you entered the wrong VIN and filed with ExpressTruckTax, log back in and get a free VIN correction. If you didn’t file with us, you can still file for a VIN correction after paying a small fee.

You Are Paper Filing… Because It’s the Stone Age

Sorry, we kid. We are a little gung-ho about e-filing, so we like to rag on paper every now and then.

But really, paper filing puts you and your trucking profession in unnecessary danger. The error rate on typical paper filing sits around 21%, while e-filing is less than 1%.

What other reasons should you e-file? I dunno, you hate doing paperwork by hand, and you’re not a mathematician. That counts for us, at least.

Plus you will get your stamped Schedule 1 in minutes.

You Don’t Need a New 2290, You Paid on Your Old Truck

Oh yeah, you paid. For your last truck, not your new one!

Just because you have 2290s for your old vehicle, doesn’t mean you’re set on your new one. The IRS does not believe in a 1-1 truck transference, so you can’t either.

That means you need to register your new truck like you would your old one, except you e-file your 2290 based on the first month you use it.

Speaking of First Month

If you bought your truck this year, you will have a first used month unique to the purchase at a prorated amount.

Basically, you’re only charged from the first month you use the truck instead of your typical July/August filing date.

Since August is the deadline, you will still have to pay that deadline, even if you bought your truck in May or June.

Don’t make this common mistake! And if you did, it’s better to file late than never.

And One More, as a Bonus…

You’re not e-filing with ExpressTruckTax! With our built-in error checks, easy to use e-filing system, and Truck Zone business center, you have plenty of reasons to e-file with us.

Plus you get your stamped Schedule 1 in minutes, so you can get back on the road in no time.

If you have any questions, give us a call at 704.234.6005. Or shoot us an email at Support@ExpressTruckTax.com.

Are YOU making these 2290 errors?

New EIN for Your New LLC

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - EIN change, Employer Identification Number, Form 2290, hvut credit, IRS, limited liability company, LLC, Owner Operators, small fleet owner

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!

Bulk Uploading: HVUT for Fleets

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - Bulk Upload, deadline, E-file HVUT, Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, Fleet Owners, Form 2290, how to, HVUT, Owner Operators

Just a quick update for our fleet managers out there! When you need to file HVUT for a fleet of vehicles, take advantage of our easy-to-use bulk upload feature.

Start by filling out First Used Month & Year, and then select Bulk Upload Using a File when you’re on the Taxable Vehicles tab.

The nice thing is, we provide an Excel template you can use to upload your data to our sites. Select Express Upload to continue.

Just follow these three steps! Download the template by following the “clicking here” link, fill out the saved file, and then upload the completed spreadsheet!

The excel template is easy to navigate, and has clear labels and drop down menus with itemized selections for your filing convenience.

If you make a filing error, our system will let you know! Click “View Upload Errors” to examine the errors. Once your errors are identified, simply fix the flawed entries in your downloaded spreadsheet and then re-upload the file by clicking “Bulk Upload using a File” again.

After that, you can view, file, and pay your HVUT taxes all at once! You have to admit, that’s way easier than doing each vehicle one-by-one.

While we think bulk uploading is easier, you may still run into a question we can answer for you. We’ll always be ready to help you by phone or email. Give us a call at 704.234.6005 if you need assistance!

Celebrity Trucking: Famous People Who Used to Drive Trucks

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - ”trucking company”, #TruckingNation, Celebrity Trucking, Fleet, Fleet Owners, Form 2290

You ever wonder if that driver you’re passing is gonna be the next Elvis Presley? Okay, maybe not — but the King of Rock used to be king of the road. Before going on Christmas Vacation, Griswold patriarch Chevy Chase was also once a truck driver. So maybe you knew those — but what other stars used to live the trucking life?

A Particular Set of Skills

Not only has Taken star Liam Neeson played a Jedi Knight and a Batman villain, he was once a member of the Trucking Nation. Before making a name for himself on the screen, Neeson drove a truck and operated forklifts for the Guinness brewery. Turns out his resume is as varied as his acting abilities!

Soldier, Trucker, Actor

You may know Charles Bronson from film classics like The Magnificent Seven and the Death Wish series, but he too spent time behind the wheel. Drafted into the Army in 1943, Bronson drove trucks for the Air Corps before becoming a tail gunner on a B-29 bomber.

Hasta La Vista, Baby

While on the road, one trucker found his true calling after watching Star Wars. Director James Cameron quit the trucking business and went on to become one of the biggest filmmakers in history — whose film Avatar was only recently de-throned as highest grossing domestic release by the latest Star Wars picture. Do you think his fascination with blowing up trucks in his movies is some kind of therapy?

Trucked by an Angel

After driving a cab, future gospel singer and Touched by an Angel actress Della Reese sought more money as a truck driver. Reese’s route had her hauling produce from Toledo to Detroit a few times a week. While she went on to become a household name, Reese enjoyed trucking, and especially liked that she never had to load or unload her truck!

From Stardom to Trucking

On the other hand, how many celebs decided the trucking life is for them? Once a wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, retired player Roy Williams now runs his own fleet, RDUB Trucking out of Odessa, TX. While it’s not the retirement he envisioned — his company now operates with 14 vehicles. Not a bad retirement plan if you ask me!

But whether you’re going to be the next Elvis, writing the next summer blockbuster, or starting your own fleet — you have to keep up with your 2290’s. So you’re not as famous as Liam Neeson, but we’ll still help you file your 2290 at ExpressTruckTax. And if you’re a fleet owner like Roy Williams, check out ExpressIRSForms for W-2s and Obamacare Forms 1094 & 1095.

If you have questions, our US-based support team is available through phone, email, and even live chat. We’ll assist you any way that we can by phone at 704.234.6005, or by email at support@expresstrucktax.com.

December HVUT Confusion

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Marcela De Vivo - #December, #HolidaySeason, expresstrucktax, Form 2290, HVUT

December is a busy month here at ExpressTruckTax. Our support team answers a lot of questions from drivers who aren’t sure if they should be filing a Form 2290 for HVUT or not in December. We’d like to clear up this confusion for all of you. Hopefully, this blog will do the trick.

Who Needs to File Form 2290 in December?

Some drivers do need to file their 2290 this month:

Those who have acquired or purchased a new truck in November

First-used month is November
Need to file a new 2290 by December 31st (even if you already filed for the 2015-16 tax year)

Need to renew your registration by the 31st

Need a stamped Schedule 1 (proof of filing a 2290) to renew
Required before a renewal can be granted

In addition to the above scenarios, some drivers confuse the HVUT tax year (July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next year) with the income tax year (Jan 1 to Dec. 31 of each year). As a result, these drivers often wait until the end of the calendar year to file their 2290’s. If this is you, now’s the time to get current on your HVUT before the IRS’s e-file site maintenance that starts December 26th.

Does a 2290 Transfer from My Old Truck to a New One?

There are other drivers who purchase a new truck, sell their old one, and think that their 2290 will transfer from the old truck to the new one. This is a common question this time of year since new truck sales spike in December. The confusion here may be because the tax paid on the first truck can be applied as a credit to the new truck, but filing a new 2290 for each new truck purchased is required.

Filing your HVUT doesn’t have to be confusing. With ExpressTruckTax, you’ll know exactly when you need to file, so that you can enjoy your holiday season.

Our support team here at ExpressTruckTax is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer your questions and concerns about HVUT and Form 2290 via telephone at 704.234.6005. You can email us anytime at support@expresstrucktax.com.

Have a story about filing your 2290 this time of year? Post it on our Facebook page, or tweet it at us on Twitter. And let us know how we’re doing, so we can serve you even better.

Form 2290 Basics

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290 form, Form 2290, HVUT, Hvut 2290

Welcome back, Trucking Nation! Today we’re going to talk about something really exciting, the IRS Form 2290! Before you get too excited, let’s take a look at Form 2290 and who needs to file it. We know all these IRS numbers can be so confusing, and knowing exactly what to do and when is always a big challenge. We’re here to take away your confusion.

What is Form 2290?

Form 2290 is what you file your HVUT tax with. The HVUT applies to all vehicles weighing 55,000 pounds and over that drive on public roads and highways.

Who Has to File a 2290?

There are several exemptions, or suspensions, to the HVUT. That means these vehicles are not required to pay the HVUT. Suspended vehicles include those logging less than 5,000 miles for the year, agricultural vehicles that drive less than 7,500 miles for the year, vehicles that are considered non-highway vehicles, and vehicles used for the collection of blood. But any vehicle weighing more than the 55,000 pound threshold must file a 2290, whether it’s required to pay HVUT or not.

What Do I Have to Do?

So you’ve determined that you need to file a Form 2290. What do you do next? Well, you could download the Form 2290 from the IRS website yourself and fill it out manually. The instructions are only 12 pages long. Or you could file with ExpressTruckTax, and leave all the heavy lifting to us. For only $9.90 for one vehicle and discounted rates for fleets, that’s one headache you won’t have to do deal with.

When Do I Have to Do This?

Simply put, you must file your Form 2290 by the last day of the month following the month in which you first drove the qualifying vehicle. In subsequent years you’ll need to file by August 31st, since the tax year runs from July 1st to June 30th of the following year.

How Do I Prove to the DMV I Filed a 2290?

If you need proof that you’ve filed your Form 2290 in order to register your vehicle with your DMV, you’ll need a stamped Schedule 1 form. Again, you can go through the trouble of filing yourself, and waiting for the form in the mail, or you can e-file with us. You’ll receive your Schedule 1 from us via email minutes after your Form 2290 is filed. And if you ever misplace or need another Schedule 1, you can always download it from us. It’s that simple!

As always, our world-class U.S.-based support team is available to answer your questions about filing Form 2290, or about using ExpressTruckTax in general. We’re here on the phone from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and available those same hours via web chat from our website. And don’t forget you can reach us via email at support@expresstrucktax.com any time.

Efiling for Farmers: Get Your Schedule 1 Today

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Marcela De Vivo - Agricultural Vehicles, expresstrucktax, Farmers and Form 2290, Form 2290, HVUT

For those of you members of the Trucking Nation who are involved in agriculture, you know that in many regions of the U.S. right now, harvesting is well under way. We all count on you to get our food and goods to the market, so let’s see what you need to do to ensure your farm trucks stay on the road.

HVUT for Farmers

Even though trucks used for agriculture usually don’t have to pay HVUT, you are still required by the IRS to file a Form 2290 for all trucks with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or greater that operate on public roads. Most farm trucks are known as suspended vehicles and are classified as such if driven less than 7,500 miles each year. The only agricultural trucks that have to pay HVUT are those that put in 7,500 or more miles each year.

What Do I Need to Do?

ExpressTruckTax is the easiest way to file your yearly Form 2290. When filling out the 2290, you’ll just need to list your truck details, such as the VIN and Gross Vehicle Weight, and it will be classed as Category W (if it’s under the 7,500 miles limit). Once you file your 2290 through ExpressTruckTax, you’ll receive a stamped Schedule 1 with a watermark verifying you’ve filed a 2290 for the year. You’ll need this when registering or renewing your license plates or tags for your vehicle. That way the DMV knows you’re current with the IRS, and they won’t issue your plates without it.

Filing Form 2290 from the Farm

Here are the quick, easy steps to filing your 2290 and getting your all-important stamped Schedule 1:

First, you’ll need to create an account. If you’re already registered with us, just log in to your existing account. If not, just fill out a few simple fields and you’re ready to go!

Second, enter the details about your vehicle(s). This is the important part for agricultural vehicles. If your mileage during the tax period on a truck is less than 7,500 miles, leave the field for Taxable Vehicles blank. You’ll only need to fill in this field for any trucks that have put in 7,500 or more miles during the tax year on public highways. When you get to the Suspended Vehicle screen, then you can enter all the information for your vehicle or vehicles that are suspended.

Third, enter your payment information. Then review all your information, transmit your return to the IRS, and you can receive your stamped Schedule 1 within a few minutes.

That’s all there is to it! You’re ready to register your trucks, and to make the trek from farm to market.

Questions or Concerns from the Farm?

Our world-class, locally-based support team is always available Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the phone at 704.234.6005 to help you with any questions you may have. You can also email us anytime at support@expresstrucktax.com. And as always, please remember to recommend us to your family and friends. We need your support as well and always appreciate your referrals!