The 4th Quarter IFTA Deadline is Almost Here

Hey, trucking nation! We hope you’re staying safe and warm out there. This winter has been one for the books so far. However, while navigating your trips around harsh winter storms don’t forget that tax season is here!

You know what's even harder than staying warm? Explaining to the IRS why you missed important tax deadlines! That’s why you shouldn’t let the 4th quarter IFTA deadline on January 31st sneak up on you.

The 4th Quarter IFTA Deadline is Almost Here

Because the 4th quarter IFTA due date is less than a month away, we’re here to help you prepare to file. In case you need a little refreshing, IFTA is the International Fuel Tax Agreement that was put in place by the 48 contiguous United States and 10 Canadian provinces.

The purpose of IFTA was to simplify the reporting of fuel use by qualified motor vehicles traveling between two or more jurisdictions. The taxes collected are equally redistributed among each participating jurisdiction.

Your vehicle qualifies for IFTA if it:

• Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
• Has two axles and a registered gross weight of 26,000 pounds 
• Has three or more axles regardless of weight 
• Or has a combination weight exceeding 26,000 pounds. 

To comply with IFTA you will need to apply for your IFTA license with your jurisdiction or state where your vehicle is registered. Then keep it in your cab at all times. You will also receive two IFTA decals that you will need to keep on your driver’s side door. Plus, you have to file your IFTA return four times a year.

The following information is required to complete your IFTA return:

• Total miles traveled per jurisdiction 
• Total gallons of fuel consumed per jurisdiction 
• Total tax paid gallons of fuel purchased per jurisdiction 
• And the current tax rate per jurisdiction. 

If you fail to file your IFTA return you will have some expensive IFTA penalties to deal with. For example, if you don’t file by the deadline you will face a penalty of $50 or 10% of the total fuel tax you owe, depending on which amount is more.

On top of that, you will face a monthly penalty of .4167% of the total amount of IFTA tax you owe until you pay the amount in full. Your base jurisdiction also reserves the right to impose their own penalties and revoke your IFTA license and we know you don’t want that!

ExpressIFTA Is Your IFTA Reporting Solution

At TSNAmerica we have your back to help you easily prepare your IFTA report to file by the deadline. Simply check out our sister, ExpressIFTA to easily import and track all the information you need to complete your IFTA return online in one convenient location.

The process is quick and easy! You can import all of your data at once with the bulk upload feature or even directly upload all of your mileage information right from your GPS. However, you can also keep detailed trip sheet entries. ExpressIFTA lets you handle your reporting at your own pace.

Then at the end of each quarter, all of your totals will be automatically calculated in an easy to read IFTA report. Your IFTA report can be downloaded, printed, emailed, and used to instantly complete your return!

Visit ExpressIFTA for more information.

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Interstate vs Intrastate Operating Authority: What's the Difference?

It never fails; every year around this time (and all the time, really) we get question after question asking, "What's the difference between intrastate and interstate authority?" Well friend, that’s a great question, and also probably the reason you’re reading this. So what exactly is the difference between the two?

Well, interstate, just like the term used to describe our cross-country roadways, means “existing or carried on between state lines.” So as you can piece together based on the definition, it means being able to drive your truck and haul loads across state lines. While intrastate, with the root word “intra,” means within; so it refers only to mileage driven within a particular state. Simple enough, right?

But if you are going to be driving across the country, or at least in multiple states (as most truckers do) then you’ll need to make sure the following items are taken care of prior to crossing state lines in your rig.

Apply for a USDOT#

Your USDOT# is issued by the FMCSA, and is used for vehicles that travel interstate, either to haul cargo or to transport passengers. You must have one if:

• Your commercial vehicle weighs 10,001 pounds or more,
• Transports 8 passengers or more for compensation, or 15 or more without comp.,
• Transports Hazardous Materials, or 
• If you travel in a state that requires a DOT#. 

Please note: This process will be done using the URS system for new applicants, and previous applicants will register using the new system as well starting on September 30, 2016. If you have any questions about the new URS system, take a look at our blog covering the most common questions about URS registration.

Apply for an MC#

Your MC# is what actually serves as your interstate authority, which gives you the ability to legally travel and haul loads between states. So yeah, it’s pretty important. But not so fast—don’t think that once you’ve got this you’re in the clear! You’ll still need to obtain another type of authority from the FMCSA depending on what type of business you have. If you’re unsure what type is right for you, just give us a call!

Register for UCR

UCR is another necessity for truckers traveling interstate, as the agreement requires all commercial vehicles travelling interstate and weighing at least 10,001 pounds to register for UCR annually. You’ll also have to pay the required fees based on the total number of vehicles you need to register.

Register for IRP

This is for vehicles that travel across multiple jurisdictions in the United States or in Canada and that weigh at least 26,000 pounds and/or have three or more axles. The fees for this particular registration depend on the mileage driven in each jurisdiction, and those fees are paid to the base jurisdiction where you are registered. It is then your base jurisdiction’s responsibility to apportion the funds to the correct jurisdictions based on your mileage.

Apply for an IFTA License and Decals

If you operate in multiple jurisdictions, you will have to apply for your IFTA license and decals with your base jurisdiction. Your fuel use and mileage traveled in each participating jurisdiction must be recorded, and then that information must be filed with your base jurisdiction.

Sound a little confusing? Well, we’re not going to lie, it most certainly is. But luckily for you, we can help you take care of every item on this list, and IFTA services are our specialty! So if you need someone to take the IFTA-filing burden off your plate this quarter, just give us a call and we’ll show you just how easy it really is!

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IFTA Filing Services

The filing period for 1st Quarter IFTA opens April 1, 2014. Truck Services of North America can prepare and file for your.  We have packages to suit your needs, from the very basic to the complete.

We have the following IFTA Packages:

• IFTA Basic: $75 Quarterly + State Fees
  

  • Send us total miles and fuel purchased per state at the end of the quarter and we file for you.

• IFTA Premium: $95 Quarterly + State Fees (additional vehicle fees will apply)
  

  • Send us copies of trip sheets & fuel receipts and we calculate and file for you. Does NOT include auditing. We report the information exactly as we receive and no questions asked. Send on monthly basis and save $15 per quarter! (Info due no later than the 15th of the following month to qualify for the discount!)

• IFTA Complete: $150 Quarterly + State Fees (additional vehicle fees will apply)
  

  • Send us copies of trip sheets & fuel receipts, we calculate AND audit the information. Auditing includes checking state adjacency, missing miles & fuel reported. Information MUST be submitted on a monthly basis. (Price reflects monthly discount. Information due no later than the 15th of the following month, if received after the 15th late fees may be incurred.)

These packages are for IFTA Services only, any state use tax filings are additional. If you would like to use our IFTA Filing Service, simply choose your package and let us know and we’ll take the paperwork out of your way!

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Deadline Today For 3rd Quarter IFTA, Use Tax & Form 2290 Returns

The deadline to file 3rd Quarter  IFTA, KYU, NY HUT, and New Mexico Weight Distance returns is today!! You must file a return even if you did not run during the quarter. You would just file a “zero” report.

Failure to file a return, filing a late return, or failure to remit any or all tax due will result in a penalty of $50.00 or 10% of the net tax due to all member jurisdictions, whichever is greater.  Interest is computed on all delinquent taxes dues each jurisdiction at a rate of 1% per month.  Even if you have a net refund, interest still applies to each jurisdiction for any underpayment of fuels use tax to that jurisdiction and is calculated beginning the day after the due date of the return for each month, or fraction of a month, until paid. So the longer you are late, the more you will owe.

It is also the last day to file your Form 2290, if you first placed your vehicle on the road anytime during the month of September.

A Vehicle is considered to be a taxable vehicle if it was operating on public roads between the tax periods of July through June. A vehicle is also considered to be taxable if it has a taxable gross weight of at least 55,000 pounds and travels at least 5,000 miles during the tax period (7,500 miles if used for agriculture).

The deadline for 3rd quarter IFTA and Use Tax & Form 2290 returns is today, October 31st, so if you have not yet filed your return(s), you will want to file now to avoid penalties and interest.  At Truck Services of North America, we make it simple by preparing and filing your quarterly returns for you. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way.  Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Tomorrow is the Deadline For 3rd Quarter Returns & Form 2290

Tomorrow, Thursday, October 31, 2013 is the deadline for 3rd Quarter IFTA, KYU, NY HUT, and New Mexico Weight Distance returns as well as Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes on vehicles first placed on public highways during the month of September.  

On the road and unable to file your Form 2290 on your own?  No problem, just give us a call and we’ll take care of it for you.  We take all your information over the phone and submit it to the IRS on your behalf!  All we need is your information and a signed Form 8453, giving us the authorization to file for you.  We can fax you the form, you sign it a fax it back and we take care of the rest. We can even send your employer proof that you filed your Form 2290 for you.  So don’t risk IRS penalties by missing tomorrow’s deadline.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist with your IFTA,  NY HUT, KYU, New Mexico Taxes and Form 2290. TSNA takes the paperwork out of you.  Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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3rd Quarter IFTA Returns Due In One Week

Reminder that all 3rd Quarter IFTA Returns are due by next Thursday, October 31, 2013.  The International Fuel Tax Agreement (or IFTA) is an agreement between the lower 48 states of the United States and the Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon), to simplify the reporting of fuel use by motor carriers that operate in more than one jurisdiction. This simplifies the process of reporting quarterly fuel tax returns.

This tax is required for motor vehicles used, designed, or maintained for transportation of persons or property and:

• Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight rating or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, and/or 
• Having three or more axles regardless of weight, and/or 
• Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight.

Exceptions exist for Recreational Vehicles (such as motor homes, pickup trucks with attached campers, and buses when used exclusively for personal pleasure by an individual). Some states have their own exemptions that may apply to farm vehicles or government vehicles, so check your state for their specific exemptions.

The IFTA license offers several benefits to the interstate/inter-jurisdictional motor carrier. These benefits include one license, one set of decals per vehicle, one quarterly fuel tax report for all vehicles that reflects the net tax or refund due. Tax returns are required even if no operations were conducted or no taxable fuel was used during the reporting period. Returns that are not filed or not paid in full are considered late and will be assessed penalty and interest.

When filing a tax return, a licensee may apply the fuel overpayment generated in one jurisdiction to the taxes owed for another jurisdiction. These advantages result in cost and time savings for the carrier and the member jurisdictions.

Under IFTA, you are able to file one return in your base jurisdiction and that jurisdiction will allocate the money appropriately.  This agreement definitely simplified what used to be a very long and time-consuming process. So don’t delay in filing your 3rd Quarter IFTA return by the October 31st deadline.  

At Truck Services of North America, we make it even simpler by preparing and filing your quarterly returns for you. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way.  Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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2013 IFTA 3rd Quarter Filing Deadline is Coming!

IFTA is the International Fuel Tax Agreement between the 48 contiguous States and 10 Canadian Provinces, where the member jurisdictions act cooperatively to administer and collect motor fuel use taxes.

The purpose of IFTA is to establish and maintain the concept of one fuel use license and one administering base jurisdiction for each license holder (licensee). Under IFTA, you only have to report to one state and the state allocate the fuel tax payments.  For more details see http://www.iftach.org.

We are halfway through the filing period for 3rd quarter.  The fuel taxes are due quarterly and October 31st is the deadline for the 3rd quarter. (July, August, September).

What you need to file:

• Mileage log 
• Fuel Receipts 
• Any IFTA correspondences pertaining to your account (if applicable)

Late Filing or Not Filing could result in the following:

• IFTA filing (late fee) plus interest (if applicable) 
• Possible suspension of IFTA license 
• Possibility of having IRP/Apportioned Plate account affected 
• Citation from DOT if caught operating on a delinquent and or suspending IFTA license 
• Threat of having your entire transport operation shut down

The IFTA filing process may be vary slightly depending on your base jurisdiction state.  

If you are new and not sure what to do or would rather not have to take the time to file your IFTA, contact Truck Services of North America at today. If you would like us to take care your IFTA, we will need copies of your mileage logs and fuel receipts into our office.

As a premier processing agency, we can set up your IFTA accounts and file your Quarterly IFTA Taxes for you. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way!  Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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3rd Quarter Filing Period Now Open!

3rd Quarter Filing Period for IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement), KYU (Kentucky Use Tax), New Mexico Weight Distance Tax, and NY HUT (New York Highway Use Tax) is now open.

We want to remind you that the deadline for filing is October 31, 2013 and we encourage you not to wait until the last minute to file. As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist with your your IFTA, NY HUT, KYU, and New Mexico Taxes.  We can help you obtain the necessary credentials and file your quarterly taxes for you. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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What is IFTA?

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is an agreement between the lower 48 states of the United States and the Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon), to simplify the reporting of fuel use by motor carriers that operate in more than one jurisdiction. Under IFTA, you are able to file one return in your base jurisdiction and that jurisdiction will allocate the money appropriately.  This agreement definitely simplified what used to be a very long and time-consuming process.

Who is required to file?

This tax is required for motor vehicles used, designed, or maintained for transportation of persons or property and:

• Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight rating or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, and/or 
• Having three or more axles regardless of weight, and/or 
• Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight.

Exceptions exist for Recreational Vehicles (such as motor homes, pickup trucks with attached campers, and buses when used exclusively for personal pleasure by an individual). Some states have their own exemptions that may apply to farm vehicles or government vehicles, so check your state for their specific exemptions.

When do you have to file?

Under IFTA, you are required to file quarterly fuel tax reports.

• The reporting quarters and due dates are:

January – March	April 30
April – June	July 31
July – September	October 31
October – December	January 31

How do you file?

The filing process varies from state to state.  Some states offer e-filing, with more states moving towards that option.  Check with your state to find out what is required.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can set up your IFTA accounts and file your Quarterly IFTA Taxes for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Last Month of IFTA 3rd Quarter

September marks the final month of the 3rd IFTA Quarter.  The deadline to file your 3rd Quarter IFTA return is October 31, 2013.  Prepare now to avoid rushing around at the last minute.

What is Required?

The following information is required on the IFTA quarterly tax return:

• Total miles, taxable and nontaxable, traveled by the licensee’s qualified motor vehicles in all jurisdictions, IFTA and non-IFTA, including trip permit miles;
• Total gallons of fuel consumed, taxable and nontaxable, by the licensee’s qualified motor vehicles in all jurisdictions, IFTA and non-IFTA;
• Total miles and taxable miles traveled in each member jurisdiction;
• Taxable gallons consumed in each member jurisdiction;
• Tax-paid gallons purchased in each member jurisdiction; and
• Current Tax Rates for each member jurisdiction.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America, makes it simple by preparing and filing your quarterly returns for you. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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