Category: IRS

IRS Form 2290 – Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes

What is HVUT?
HVUT or Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is the fee imposed by the IRS annually on heavy vehicles that operate on public highways at registered gross weights equal to or exceeding 55,000 pounds.
The taxable gross weight of a vehicle is determined by adding the following:
• The actual unloaded weight of the vehicle, when it is fully equipped for service
• The actual unloaded weight of any trailers or semitrailers fully equipped for service normally used in addition to the vehicle
• The weight of the maximum load that can be carried on the vehicle and on any trailers or semitrailers typically used with the vehicle
• For Buses, The taxable gross weight is its actual unloaded weight fully equipped for service in addition to 150 pounds for each seat provided for passengers and driver.
The Tax Calculations:
The tax year for Form 2290 starts in July and ends in June of the next year. If the gross taxable weight is from 55,000 to 75,000 pounds, the HVUT is $100, plus $22 per thousand pounds over 55,000 pounds. For over 75,000 pound vehicles, the maximum HVUT is $550/ year. The taxes are lower for logging vehicles. Logging Vehicles are vehicles which are primarily used for transporting products harvested from the forest and is registered with a state agency as such.
Taxes are prorated for any vehicles placed into service after the month of July.
HVUT Exemptions:
There are a number of groups that receive exemptions from HVUT. Such as:
• Federal Government
• Indian tribal governments (for vehicles used in essential tribal functions)
• State & Local governments, including the District of Columbia
• Mass transportation authorities
• The American Red Cross
• Nonprofit volunteer fire departments, ambulance associations or rescue squads
There are also a number of vehicles exempted from the HVUT:
• Any vehicle not considered to be a highway motor vehicle — e.g., mobile machinery for non-transportation functions, vehicles specifically designed for off-highway use, and non-transportation trailers and semi-trailers
• Qualified blood collecting vehicles used by qualified blood collector organizations
• Mobile machinery that is used for non-transportation purposes
Exempt carriers may be required to file tax forms with the IRS or notify the local department of motor vehicles (DMV) of their exempt status
there are other vehicles that are exempt based on the number of miles it is driven:
• Commercial Vehicles traveling less than 5,000 miles annually
• Agriculture Vehicles traveling less than 7,500 miles annually
The above vehicles are called Suspended Vehicles, but must be reported to the IRS.
What is the Purpose of HVUT?
The HVUT is a significant source of transportation funding in the U.S. In 2006 alone, the HVUT generated more than $1.4 Billion in Federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) revenue.
The Federal HTF protects America’s investment in its transportation infrastructure. In 2007 alone, Federal HTF receipts were $39.9 Billion, with $34.9 Billion dedicated to the HTF’s Highway Account. The Federal HTF finances a wide spectrum of transportation investments which include:
• Highway improvements (e.g., land acquisition, other right-of-way costs, preliminary and construction engineering, construction and reconstruction, resurfacing and restoration costs of roadways and bridges)
• Highway and bridge maintenance
• Highway law enforcement
• Safety programs (e.g., driver education and training, vehicle inspection programs, enforcement of vehicle size and weight limits)
• Congestion relief projects
• Administrative costs (e.g., research, engineering)
Investment in our nation’s highway infrastructure helps:
• Save money, time, & lives
• Reduce the amount and severity of crashes for all kinds of vehicles
• Enhance the ability of emergency responders
• Lower fuel and insurance costs
• Decrease energy consumption
• Ease congestion
• Boost air quality
• Increase mobility
• Improve the efficiency of the movement of goods
• Raise business productivity
• Strengthen the nation’s economic productivity
Since the vast majority of all funds contributed by states to the Federal HTF are returned through highway improvements, this is a direct incentive for state agencies to take necessary measures to enhance HVUT compliance.

Express Truck Tax Offers Top Quality Customer Support to e-file IRSForm 2290!

The Customer Service team at Express Truck Tax is always standing by to take any calls, emails or online chats that come their way. No automated responses or long on-hold times. Just high quality customer support. Their support center is US-Based in Rock Hill, South Carolina and they make sure to treat all callers with a true southern hospitality.
For anyone who needs to file a Form 2290 for their Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes (HVUT) Express Truck Tax is the best way to go! They offer the best prices and the best support out there. But don’t just take our word for it. Here are a few words from our customers over the past week:
“I was skeptical of using an online provider for this, but after I spoke with the folks at Express Truck Tax, I was able to complete this Form in just a few minutes!”
-Bradley G.
New Mexico
“No More waiting at the IRS office for me! Even for the minor fee, Express Truck Tax is totally worth it”
-Harold W.
Iowa
“When it comes to computers, I am pretty much illiterate, but Express Truck Tax really made it easy for me to File my 2290 and get my Stamped Schedule 1 in minutes.”
-Ruth D.
North Carolina
“I used another provider last year, and I was shocked to find that Express Truck Tax offered better prices, customer service and the system was even easier to use. Using ExpressTruckTax.com was a no brainer.”
-Max R.
Oklahoma
“As a tax preparer, I used to prepare the Form 2290 by hand and paper files it with the IRS for all my clients. ExpressTruckTax.com has saved me so much time. I couldn’t do without it!”
-Joel L.
Kentucky
Don’t waste any more time! Get your Form 2290 Filed today and join the thousands of others who have received their Schedule 1 in minutes! HVUT is due on November 30. You can always contact Express Truck Tax for any Truck Tax questions!

Express Truck Tax Overview Video (E-file IRS form 2290)

Why e-File Form 2290 with Express Truck Tax?
May be the more appropriate question would be, why wouldn’t you use Express Truck Tax to file Form 2290 or Form 8849 or IFTA? We don’t mean to brag, but we do have the lowest prices, the most experience, the best customer support and the most user friendly software to e-File Form 2290 in the industry.
We’re really good at what we do, and what we do is make taxes easier for you.
IRS Approved
We’re an IRS authorized e-file provider. That means we’ve worked closely with the IRS to provide you with a safe, secure, accurate process that will save you time and money.
Experienced
Our technical and support team is the most experienced team in the industry. We were around when the IRS mandated e-filing for Form 2290. We helped the first customers file online years ago. We know the ins and outs of the filing process better than anyone else.
Safe and Secure
We have taken every possible step to make sure Express Truck Tax is safe and secure. Our site is encrypted and is HackerProof and COMODO certified. Your information goes to the IRS, and no one else.
Expert Help
We made Express Truck Tax as easy to use as possible. You’ll find contextual help bubbles and support text all over the place, guiding you through the process step by step. We also have some helpful video guides if you feel like kicking back and watching how it’s done. If you get stuck, you can always email us, or give us a call.
Power to the Pros
We support tax professionals, our competitors don’t. If you’re a tax professional, you can use Express Truck Tax for your clients–all of them–and take advantage of tax professional discounts.
The Right Price
We know we’re not the only ones providing this service, but we do know we’re the only ones doing it at this price with this level of quality. You won’t find a better combination of tax savvy professionalism and value-based pricing anywhere.

Stay Alert for Internal Revenue Service Phishing Scams

Scammers are like cockroaches; they are unwanted, yet they never seem to go away. Recently, there has been a set of IRS phishing emails that have been infesting the web. There have been at least two versions. One claims to be from “info manager@irs.gov” and another from “support manager@irs.gov.” These emails can look convincing with headers that read: “IRS notification.” Although it may seem authoritative, neither of these are legitimate and should be ignored, deleted, or forwarded along to phishing@irs.gov. Do Not reply and Do Not open the attachments.

Here is the plain text version of one of the emails:

Important Information about your tax return
We are unable to process your tax return
We received your tax return. However, we are unable to process the return as field.
Our records indicate that the person identified as the primary taxpayer or spouse on the tax return did not provided all the required documents shown on the tax form. Our records are based on information received from the Social Security Administration.
Based on this information, the tax account for the individual has been locked
What you need to do
Print out the attached notification and list of missing documents, fill it in, add the documents and send the following information to the address shown in the attached notification.
List of required documents:
    • A copy of this letter
    • Notification letter
    • A photocopy of valid U.S. Federal or State Government issued identification.

Keep this notice for your records.

As you can see, this email is littered with typos and grammatical errors. That is always a Huge Red Flag if you are receiving an email that is supposedly from a professional organization. In addition to that, it is commonly known that the IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails to taxpayers. Therefore, most emails claiming to be from the IRS are most likely a scam.  

Be very careful with these emails. Most of them try to get you to reveal your personal or financial information. Do not reveal any of this information via e-mail. Better yet, Do Not reply to the email at all.  Don’t follow any links from these e-mails to any web sites where you might be asked for the same information.

Other e-mails may have attachments or links which download viruses or other malware onto your computer. Some of this malware, has the capabilities to retrieve financial and other personal information from your computer. Even if you don’t manually input personal information into these sites, the malware allows the scammers to track your personally identifiable information.

Key Point to Remember: the IRS will never initiate contact with you via email. They will not ask you to click links to fix your tax information or verify your tax account. Neither will you be advised of a mistake in your refund via email. If you are concerned that you need to contact the IRS, then you should call them (1.800.829.1040). Don’t click on an attachment or reply to an email claiming to be from the IRS.

So to recap: delete, delete, delete. Do Not open links. Do Not open any attachments. Do Not investigate on your own. The IRS can handle any investigation if necessary. If you would like to make the IRS aware of it, you can forward the e-mail to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov then DELETE the email.


This Information has been provided by the Truck Tax Team at www.ExpressTruckTax.com

New PTIN Requirements for Tax Return Preparers

Beginning January 1, 2011 the IRS will require paid tax return preparers who prepare all or substantially all of a tax return to register and obtain a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). The requirements are intended to ensure tax preparers are competent and qualified.

Tax return preparers may apply for a PTIN using the IRS PTIN online application system at irs.gov. Individuals who currently possess a PTIN will need to reapply under the new system but generally will be reassigned the same number.

The IRS has also set up a special toll-free telephone number, 1-877-613-PTIN (7846), that tax professionals can call for technical support related to the new online registration system. Applicants will pay a $64.25 fee to obtain a PTIN, which will be valid for one year.

Receipt of a PTIN will be immediate after successful online registration. Tax preparers may also submit a paper application (Form W-12: IRS Paid Preparer Tax Identification Number Application). Paper applications will be processed in four to six weeks. Before registration, applicants should consider that the date the PTIN is assigned is established as the annual renewal date.

PTIN applications will require a Social Security number. Individuals without a Social Security number may apply but will be required to provide one of the following: Form 8945 (PTIN Supplemental Application for U.S. Citizens Without a Social Security Number Due to Conscientious Religious Objection) or Form 8946 (PTIN Supplemental Application for Foreign Persons Without a Social Security Number.)

Check the Express2290 blog soon for more information regarding the IRS PTIN requirements.

File 2290 – Month end is here

Express2290.com is the best solution for filing your Form 2290 (Heavy Truck Use Tax) Always double check the tax information you enter in your 2290 returns.

Few points to keep in mind while e-filing.
* E-file your 2290 returns with Express2290.com
* Review Federal Tax ID# or EIN# [Employer Identification Number]
* Review your Tax Year and Month
* Review your VIN# [Vehicle Identification Number]
* Sign and date your return electronically
* Choose IRS payment option
* Review all the information
* Double check your Business Name
* E-File Your 2290 Return

Choose IRS payment option:
There are several options to pay the HVUT taxes with the IRS.
Direct Debit or EFW: IRS will debit directly from your bank account.
EFTPS: You have to schedule the payment to the IRS by going to EFTPS.gov.
Check/Money Order: IRS also supports Check/Money Order if you have can schedule it in time. We strongly advice our Canadian customers to use this option as EFW option may not work for canadian banks.

Just a reminder, if you choose Direct Debit (EFW) as a payment method, the IRS will not process your return during the weekends, or on federal holidays, but on the next business day.

Review Tax ID Numbers
Carefully check Tax Identification numbers on your return.

Review Your Return
Express 2290.com is a very smart program, it automatically checks for any errors before you transmit your 2290 return to IRS, but its always good to double check everything before you hit the ‘Transmit to IRS’ button.

We are always available to help if needed. We are one of the few companies which is locally based to offer customer support. Call 704.234.6005