Author Archives: ifta expert

What is International Registration Plan?

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The International Registration Plan or IRP is the method of registering fleets of vehicles that have been traveling in two or more member jurisdictions. All states (except Alaska and Hawaii), Washington D.C., and Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon) are members of the plan. However, people who have qualified motor vehicles are subjected to IRP licensing, reporting and record-keeping requirements until and unless the vehicle is exempt or trip permit has been acquired. Continue reading →

File IFTA for the Third Quarter Before October 31st

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Being a trucker, many things come along. Paying IFTA taxes is one. This October 31st is the due date for filing your IFTA return for the third quarter. So truckers, get your documents ready, filing is not too far. Continue reading →

Different types of Oil Filters

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Welcome back truckers! We truly hope your hauling and trucking is moving smooth. In our previous blog, we discussed whatoil filters are. This time we would talk about what are the different types oil filters and their presence. Continue reading →

Oil Filters To Keep Your Engine Healthy

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Oil filter in automobiles are located on the side of the engine blocks, occupying the lower and the larger part of the engine. The oil pump circulates the oil in and across the engine and is passed through filters as large particles present in oil should not get in contact with the engine. It would eventually damage the engine if circulated freely. Continue reading →

Bunker Oil- Pros and Cons

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There are many types of fuel available in the market. Among the lot, bunker fuel is one fuel, which is fractionally distilled from crude oil. Also known as fuel oil, the material is broken into various categories based on the chemical compositions, intended purpose and also the boiling temperature. Comparatively to other fuels and petroleum products,bunker fuelsare extremely crude and highly polluting. Continue reading →

Fuel Additives Are Advantageous To Your Truck

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Trucks run down the highway day and night, and some run without any halt. With the fuel economy growing vast and in speed, truckers are finding it difficult to manage their earning, dividing it as per the requirement. However, with fuel additives, fuel efficiency can be maintained to certain extend. Continue reading →

Improve Fuel Efficiency With Trailer Skirts

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Fuel efficiency is important and essential as that counts as a major business expense. Trucking companies face large fuel bills and have raises their rates to meet their rising cost of fuel. However, by attaching a trailer skirt at the bottom, front or the side of the semi-truck box trailers, it can surely help you in reducing the cost of fuels. It all works by the drag created while the truck and trailer moves down the road. Continue reading →

What You Need to Know when Filing for IFTA Return

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Your trucking business is not limited within your state but can go beyond that. Additionally, those into the trucking business have to hire truck drivers for delivering goods from one place to another. Expanding the business in various states would be profitable but managing the fuel tax agreement might not be a pleasant experience because different states have different fuel taxes imposed. In addition, truck owners and operators are required to file fuel tax through IFTA and there certain rules attached to it. To save time, it is advisable to prepare for IFTA return online. In this blog, we shall discuss more about IFTA also providing tips and instructions.

Why Obtain an IFTA License: Trucking companies who thought filing fuel tax return was a burden might not be aware of the advantages that IFTA license provides.

  • Having IFTA license gives trucking companies the authority of moving their vehicles in various IFTA jurisdictions.
  • Truck owners need to file for International Fuel Tax Agreement return once under their base jurisdiction and should have the necessary details about the mileage and fuel use in other jurisdiction.
  • Audits are conducted by the base jurisdiction or the state in which the vehicle is licensed to.

Trucking companies filing IFTA return need to know that they would have to deal with one auditor, who belongs to the place where the business operates. Unlike previously, when businesses had to report to different auditors in different states. In addition, there might be states having different requirements for trucking companies filing this tax return. For example, there are states wanting truck companies to keep important credentials such as fuel receipts and trip permits for four years whereas, there might be states wanting the documents to be kept for more time. It is important for business owners preparing for the International Fuel Tax Agreement to be careful on these details to avoid penalties.

Filing IFTA Return Every Quarter for California State:

The deadline for the 2nd quarter to file for IFTA return is July 31, 2013. Interstate motor carriers having their base jurisdiction as California should file a completed tax return form, which comprises of two parts: ‘IFTA Quarterly Fuel Use Tax Return’ (IFTA-100), and ‘IFTA Quarterly Fuel Use Tax Schedule’ (IFTA-101). Motor carriers should ensure providing all the details in IFTA-101 form such as the fuel used or calculate the tax due on the total usage of fuel in each jurisdiction. Further, the information should be transferred to the IFTA-100 form. It is good to know that motor carrier owners need to make one payment and not different payments for the various jurisdictions they have purchased fuel from.

TaxIFTA.com makes it easy for interstate motor carrier owners prepare their IFTA return online, which they can mail it to the ‘California State Board of Equalization’ or whichever jurisdiction they belong to.

Important Records IFTA Tax Filers Should Maintain

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IFTA is a quarterly tax paid by motor carrier owners having IFTA license and operating their vehicles from one state to another. Due on April 30th for the first quarter, It is important for motor carrier owners to pay their IFTA return on time and doing through an online service provider like TaxIFTA.com can help them prepare IFTA returns from anywhere and anytime. However, this fuel tax filers should make sure their records are accurate and safe to help them during an audit. Additionally, it has been clearly stated in the ‘IFTA Procedural Manual’ that IFTA filers need to maintain their mileage and fuel records properly. Besides, the International Registration Plan (IRP) and International Fuel Tax Agreement require the records for appropriate distribution of tax to the various jurisdictions. Read on to know more.

Records IFTA Filers should keep:

As mentioned, IFTA filers should keep a track of the complete mileage traveled for every vehicle used by him or her on the road. In addition, the information available in the records should be authentic to avoid any problems during an IFTA audit. The important records that tax filers should have are:

  • The Accurate Motor Carrier Name.
  • The Right Vehicle Number.
  • Accurate Vehicle Identification Number or VIN.
  • The distance traveled by the vehicle.
  • Complete details of the start and end date of every trip.
  • The origin and destination of every trip.
  • The pick-up and delivery destinations of the vehicle.
  • Details of the places where fuel was filled.
  • The travelling routes.
  • Total mileage used on the American states and Canadian provinces.
  • Total trip distance covered by the vehicles.
  • Original fuel invoices, which should include the date, customer name, seller name, gallons of fuels used, type of fuel, tax paid, and finally the OEN or VIN.

According to the International Fuel Tax Agreement , the records should be kept for four years from the time the tax return was filed or it was due. It is important for tax filers to know that the record keeping requirements might differ from one state to another. Therefore, tax filers are advised to gather the complete information to avoid mistakes. Similarly, as it is essential to maintain the records to avoid any hassles, filing IFTA on time can help tax filers avoid penalties and interests. TaxIFTA.com helps you prepare your IFTA tax accurately and without much difficulty. Take a step ahead by preparing your IFTA return online with a single click of a mouse.

What to Know When Preparing for IFTA Tax Return

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If you have read the previous blog on ‘A Short and Simple Guide to the International Fuel Tax Agreement’, then you might have understood what IFTA stands for along with the way it works. However, to learn about its ins and outs and the various aspects involved within it, make sure to read this blog providing additional information about thefuel taxreturn.

How to Get an IFTA License:

Individuals, whose qualified motor vehicle operates in any of the United States or Canadian Provinces qualify for an IFTA license. Moreover, there are certain requirements that vehicle owners have to fulfill for getting the qualified vehicle tag. Generally, vehicles that are used for transporting of goods and people come under the qualified vehicle criteria but there are additional aspects attached to it such as:

  • The vehicle has at least three or additional axles
  • The vehicle has at least two axles or has been registered under the gross weight of more than 26,000 pounds
  • Vehicles that come under the registered gross weight of 11,797 kg but should meet the specific requirements

However, in certain states there are few exemptions on qualified motor carriers. For example, recreational vehicles (in spite of their weight or axle configuration) that are not used for business purposes are not considered as a qualified motor vehicle.

Why to Register for IFTA:

Vehicle owners whose motor carrier operates in more than one states coming under theIFTA jurisdiction, should:

  • Decide on one of the International Fuel Tax Agreement member states as their ‘base jurisdiction’
  • Acquire fuel tax license for the various qualified motor vehicles so that they get the authorization to travel within the IFTA jurisdiction.
  • Vehicle owners need to prepare and file their IFTA return every quarter, where they need to report the usage of fuel and mileage used in the IFTA state and provinces.

When to File for IFTA:

Vehicle owners who qualify for IFTA license need to file for tax returns quarterly. The due dates to file for the International Fuel Tax Agreement are as follows:

January to March (April 30th)

April to June (July 31st)

July to September (October 31st)

October to December (January 31st)
It is advisable to prepare and file for the International Fuel Tax Agreement return before the time expires to avoid the penalties. We at TaxIFTA.com help you prepare your tax return, thus helping you reduce the stress and hassle.

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