Tips To Help You Prepare 1st Quarter IFTA

IFTA is the International Fuel Tax Agreement and is a tax collection agreement by and among the 48 contiguous States and the 10 Canadian Provinces bordering the US, in which motor fuels use taxation laws are uniform with respect to qualified motor vehicles operated in more than one member jurisdiction.

Who Must File?

An interstate motor carrier operating "qualified motor vehicles" between at least 2 member jurisdictions (The 48 contiguous states of the US and 10 Canadian provinces) must have an international fuel tax agreement (IFTA) license and decals issued by their base jurisdiction.

Qualified motor vehicle means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles used, designed, or maintained for the transportation of persons or property having:

• Two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds; 
• Two axles and a registered weight exceeding 26,000 pounds; 
• Three or more axles regardless of weight; or 
• A combination weight exceeding 26,000 pounds.

Recreational vehicles are exempt from IFTA fuel tax reporting.

Base jurisdiction means the member jurisdiction where:

• Qualified motor vehicles are based for vehicle registration purposes;
• Operational control and operational records of the licensee’s qualified motor vehicles are maintained or can be made available in case of an audit; and 
• Some mileage is accrued by qualified motor vehicles within the fleet travelling through that jurisdiction  

If you have the IFTA license, you must file the Quarterly IFTA tax return to your base jurisdiction, even if the licensee does not operate or purchase any taxable fuel in an IFTA member jurisdiction during the specific quarter. You will need to separate your mileage and fuel records for each fuel type. March 31, 2013 marked the end of the 1st Quarter for IFTA and the deadline to file your return is April 30, 2013. If you operate in New York, Kentucky, New Mexico, or Oregon you will also need to file a Weight Distance Tax Return, in each state and that deadline is also April 30th.

What you need:   

1. Mileage log-whether you use manual trip sheets, GPS, or electronic trip sheets; it is not only necessary to have in order to file your quarterly IFTA, but you will need these if you are ever audited.
2. Fuel Receipts-you will need to know how many gallons of fuel were purchased in each state.

Options to prepare and file your return:

1. Do it yourself, you can calculate your own return by hand and mail or e-file the return. To find out the current tax rate for each state go to www.iftach.org.
2. Use a software program that will calculate your return for you, like ExpressIFTA.com, which will reduce the chances of miscalculations.
3. Use Truck Services of North America and let us take care of preparing and filing the return for you.

Regardless of the method you choose to file your quarterly tax returns, it is crucial to maintain accurate records and file your returns on time to avoid fines and penalties.

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. 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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What Information Is Required on IFTA Distance Records?

Detailed distance records which show operations on an individual-vehicle basis must contain, but not be limited to:

• Taxable and non-taxable usage of fuel; 
• Distance traveled for taxable and non-taxable use; and 
• Distance recaps for each vehicle for each jurisdiction in which the vehicle operated.

An acceptable distance accounting system is required and supporting information should include:

• Date of trip (starting and ending); 
• Trip origin and destination; 
• Route of travel (may be waived by base jurisdiction);
• Beginning and ending odometer or hubodometer reading of the trip (may be waived by base jurisdiction);
• Total trip miles/kilometers; 
• Miles/kilometers by jurisdiction; 
• Unit number or vehicle identification number; 
• Vehicle fleet number; 
• Registrant's name; and 
• may include additional information at the discretion of the base jurisdiction.  

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. 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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What Information Is Required on IFTA Fuel Records?

Complete fuel records of all motor fuel purchased, received, and used in the conduct of its business must be maintained. Separate totals must be compiled for each motor fuel type and retail fuel purchases and bulk fuel purchases are to be accounted for separately.

The fuel records shall contain, but not be limited to:

• The date of each receipt of fuel;
• The number of gallons or liters received; 
• The type of fuel; and
• The vehicle or equipment into which the fuel was placed.

Retail purchases must be supported by a receipt or invoice, credit card receipt,

automated vendor generated invoice or transaction listing, or microfilm/microfiche of the receipt or invoice. Receipts that have been altered or indicate erasures are not accepted for tax-paid credits unless the licensee can demonstrate the receipt is

valid. An acceptable receipt or invoice must include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

• Date of purchase; 
• Seller's name and address; 
• Number of gallons or liters purchased;
• Fuel type; 
• Price per gallon or liter or total amount of sale; 
• Unit numbers; and
• Purchaser's name   

A licensee may claim a tax-paid credit on the IFTA tax return for bulk fuel only

when the bulk storage tank from which the fuel is withdrawn is owned, leased or

controlled by the licensee; the fuel is placed into the fuel tank of a qualified motor

vehicle; and either the purchase price of the fuel includes tax paid to the member

jurisdiction where the bulk fuel storage tank is located or the licensee has paid

fuel tax to the member jurisdiction where the bulk fuel storage tank is located.

Bulk fuel records must contain the following:

• Date of withdrawal; 
• Number of gallons or liters; 
• Fuel type; 
• Unit number; and 
• Purchase and inventory records to substantiate that tax was paid on all bulk purchases.

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. 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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Form 2290 For Vehicles First Used in March 2013, Due By April 30

If you first placed your vehicle on the road anytime during the month of March, you must file your Form 2290 by April 30, 2013. If a vehicle was used during any part of a month, the tax will be calculated for that month as a whole. For example, if a vehicle was used on March 27th, it will be taxed as though it was used the entire month.  

The tax will be prorated based on the number of months the vehicle will have been used during the tax year. So vehicles that were placed in service during the month of February will need to file HVUT using the Form 2290 by April 30, and the tax will be based on 4 months, instead of the full year.

While the deadline is the last day of the following month, you may need to file your Form 2290 before the deadline in order to get or renew your IRP plates.  Many states require a stamped Schedule 1 as proof that your 2290 was filed before they will issue or renew your plates.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can file your Form 2290 Heavy Highway Use Tax 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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1st quarter IFTA Filing Period Now Open

1st Quarter Filing Period for IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement), KYU (Kentucky Use Tax), New Mexico Weight Distance Tax, NY HUT (New York Highway Use Tax) and Oregon Weight-Mile Tax is now open. We want to remind you that the deadline for filing is April 30, 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, New Mexico and Oregon Weight Distance 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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Form 2290 Deadline Today for Vehicles First Used in February 2013

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

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).

Just give Truck Services of North America a call at 803.386.0320 and have your business details, including EIN, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and Gross Weight of the Vehicle (Combined with maximum load) and form of IRS payment,  either Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFT), Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) or Check/Money Order and we take care of the rest.

If you placed a heavy vehicle on the road in February, you are required to file Form 2290 and the deadline is today. Be sure to get this filed today to avoid possible IRS penalties. As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can file your Form 2290 Heavy Highway Use Tax 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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