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How to Get a IRS 2290 stamped Schedule 1 for Heavy Highway Vehicle?

September 30th, 2011

The Process of Filing IRS Form 2290 and getting a stamped Schedule 1 can be rather complicated.

The First Step to Receive a Stamped Schedule 1 for your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) is to fill out IRS Form 2290. The Schedule 1 is included in this Form. This can be done either by hand or online.

This Form then needs to be taken to the nearest IRS Office along with a proof of payment or proof of EFTPS Payment. Or it can be mailed to the nearest IRS office
The Problem with this is that both options are very time consuming.
If the form is actually taken to the IRS, the nearest office may be many miles away. There can also be very long waiting period at the IRS office of up to several hours.
If the form is mailed to the IRS, it can take 4-6 weeks before it is processed.
The IRS will then review your Form 2290 and when it is verified, they will stamp it and return a portion of it to the taxpayer.

The Stamped Schedule 1 is required in order to register a vehicle. So it can be very stressful to wait until the last minute to register your vehicle because you are waiting for the IRS to send you a stamped schedule 1.

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

When to File?
A Form 2290 must be filed annually, for each taxable vehicle that is used on public highways during the current period. The Current Period is from July 1, and ends on June 30. A Form 2290 must also be filed once a vehicle is placed in service. The due date for each month is the last day of the following month. For example: if a vehicle is placed in service on October 3rd, the Form 2290 will be due on November 30th.

How to File?
Although it is possible to paper file, E-Filing is required for each return containing at least 25 vehicles. The IRS does encourage everyone to file electronically due to its security and speed. This is highly recommended for Form 2290 in particular because the filing due dates are always only one month away.

There are several e-file providers of services that can help you E-File Form 2290 with the IRS, one such provider is www.expresstrucktax.com. They provide a very excellent service for all your Truck Tax Needs.

Form 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) status update 09/28/11

September 29th, 2011
IRS Video Guide To Form 2290

The IRS recently posted this video on their website to help those file Form 2290. They have really done a great job summarizing the changes that they have made this year in the filing process.

And of course, they urge everyone filing Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Taxes to use an IRS-Authorized E-Filing service like Express Truck Tax.

http://www.irsvideos.gov/SmallBusinessTaxpayer/Forms/Form2290update

All About IRS Form 2290 (Truck Taxes)

September 28th, 2011
What Is IRS Form 2290?
IRS Form 2290 exists as a way to pay Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, or HVUT, which must be filed with the IRS for any highway motor vehicle that exceeds a gross weight of 55,000 pounds. IRS Form 2290 also includes what is known as a Schedule 1, which is used to report all vehicles for which you are reporting tax (including an increase in taxable gross weight) and those that you are reporting suspension of the tax by category and vehicle identification number (VIN). The Schedule 1 may also be used as proof of payment to register your vehicle in any state. Use the stamped Schedule 1 that was returned to you by the IRS for this purpose.

Who Must File?
You must file a Form 2290 and Schedule 1 for the tax period beginning on July 1st, and ending on June 30th, if a highway motor vehicle is registered, or required to be registered, in your name under state, District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law at the time of its first use during the period and the vehicle has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Any type of business entity may file a Form 2290 with the IRS.

How much is the Tax?
There are three different categories for HVUT rates for these vehicles. Vehicles Below 55,000 pounds do not have HVUT because they do not qualify as a heavy vehicle. Vehicles between 55,000 and 75,000 pounds owe $100, plus $22 per 1,000 pounds over 55,000 pounds. Finally, for vehicles that are over 75,000 pounds the maximum HVUT is $550 per year.

The gross taxable weight is calculated by adding the following:

  • Unloaded weight of vehicle, fully equipped for service.
  • Unloaded weight of any trailers equipped for service and customarily used in combination with the vehicle
  • Weight of the maximum load customarily carried on the vehicle and on any trailers customarily used in combination with the vehicle.

Who is Exempt?
Although it is rare, some Vehicles that fit the above description may be exempt from theHVUT and Filing requirements of Form 2290. To officially be exempt from filing Form 2290, the vehicle must be owned and operated by the following:

  • The Federal Government
  • The District of Columbia
  • state or local government
  • American National Red Cross
  • Non-Profit Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Association, or Rescue Squad
  • Indian Tribe Government (Only if the Vehicle is Used for essential Tribe or Government Function)
  • Mass Transportation Authority (Only if granted certain powers normally exercised by the state)
  • Qualified Blood Collector Vehicles
  • Mobile Machinery that meets specifications for a chassis

There are several providers of services that can help you E-File Form 2290 with the IRS, one such provider iswww.expresstrucktax.com. They provide a very excellent service for all Truck Tax Needs.

Truck Tax (form 2290) Legislation Has Been Passed!

September 24th, 2011
The U.S. Senate approved a piece of legislation that will extend the funding of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as well as for federal highway programs. The funding for these programs would have ceased, had this extension not been passed.
This Transportation bill has been extended several times already, and it is fairly widely agreed upon that a more permanent piece of legislation is needed to regulate this industry. However, this extension will keep up to a million highway workers at work. A simple extension is better than letting the bill expiring, which would furlough thousands of workers as soon as the legislation expired.
This basically serves as a stop-gap measure that will also provide the government with the ability to collect taxes on airline ticket sales through the FAA. Earlier this week, the FAA incurred a partial shutdown for two weeks, which cost the government $400 Million in taxes associated with airline ticket sales.
The Senate was able to pass the pill with a large margin of 92-6. This was largely due to some last minute negotiations by Sen. Barbara Boxer. Sen. Boxer is the chairman of the Senate Public Works Committee, which oversees the highway programs. Boxer negotiated an agreement between Republican senators Rand Paul and Tom Coburn due to their concerns of wasteful spending. This aided to avoiding a last-minute obstacle to the passage, because the FAA funding is set to expire this Friday (September 16).
John Crawley, a reporter for Reuters, had the following to say regarding the current state of Capital Hill:
“It remains unclear ahead of an election year whether the House of Representatives, which approved the extensions earlier this week, and the Senate can come together on the bigger bills before the next renewals are due.
The charged political climate in Washington is largely fuelled by partisan divisions over spending, taxes and budget deficits. The transportation bills would require several hundred billion dollars in funding over several years.”
Although it may be difficult to foresee how our elected officials will work together in the future, it is nice to see a healthy negotiation to pass a bill that the American people need.
This is a positive step for the Trucking and Transportation Industry. Although it is not yet possible to file Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes with Form 2290, the folks at Express Truck Tax will be available to answer any questions and help drivers file those taxes. For more information, visit the Express Truck Tax website or call our Truck Tax experts at 704-234-6005. You can also chat online, or email any questions to support@ExpressTruckTax.com.   

File IRS Form 2290 through an IRS-Authorized Service Provider

August 26th, 2011
If you are a trucker, owner operator, or trucking company, you are subject to filing a tax return for the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. These taxes have typically been filed with the IRS Form 2290. Until recently, this form could only be filed by paper. However, there have been great advances in technology over the past few years and the IRS now accepts and encourages taxpayers to E-File their 2290 Form.

The IRS has approved several third party service providers to E-File the Form 2290 on behalf of those taxpayers who need to file. This list is posted on the IRS website. The IRS itself does not provide a way to E-File this form through their website. In deciding how to file, there are a few things that should be considered. When you select a provider, it is important to be sure that they are an Authorized IRS E-File Provider, make sure that they can handle all of your truck tax needs, and it is safest to find a provider that is entirely web-based.
  • When selecting an Authorized E-File Provider, you should look on their website for something to verify that they are actually authorized by the IRS to E-File tax forms. Again, you can also refer to the IRS Website for a complete list of Authorized E-File Providers.  Be sure that the provider you choose is on that list!
  • If you need to file several types of Truck Taxes and not only the Form 2290, like IFTA or Form 8849 then it would be helpful to have them all filed from the same place. Some service providers are only for Form 2290, or Form 8849, etc. The most convenient and economical way of filing would be to have them all filed with the same service.
  • If an E-Filing system is not web-based, then there is less reason to use it. If a so-called E-Filing system is not web-based, meaning you need to download a program onto your computer in order to run the program, then it is not a true E-Filing system. The IRS recommends E-Filing because of its speed and security. If you are required to download lots of files and store information on your computer, your system is not completely web based. The benefits of a web-based system are obviously the speed of transfer to the IRS when you are finished, but also the security of storing your information online instead of on your computer. If you rely on your computer to store your information, you run the risk of losing all of your information if your computer crashed or if you spill something on it, etc.

ExpressTruckTax.com fits all of these qualifications for a Truck Tax E-File Provider. It is entirely web-based, they are a one-stop-shop for all truck tax needs, and they are authorized by the IRS as an E-File provider on the official list from their website. If you need any help, you can also contact their wonderful customer support team!  They offer live chat & phone support Monday through Friday (9:00am – 6:00pm EST) at 704.234.6005, as well as email support 24/7 (support@expresstrucktax.com). This way you can get a stamped schedule 1 in about 10 minutes. The file is electronically submitted to the IRS, and within minutes the file will be processed by the IRS and the filer will receive a notification from Express Truck Tax that their return has been processed.

HVUT Regulations for Tax Form 2290

August 23rd, 2011

The IRS announced earlier in the year that the Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes will not be available for the 2011- 2012 tax year and that the heavy vehicle use tax will expire by end of September 2011. A later announcement stated that the due date of the Form 2290 had been extended by 90 days. This further changed the due date even further to Nov 30th 2011. This was meant to be a relief to tax payers, and hopefully cut down on multiple filings.

There is now a bill that has been drafted (H.R. 763) that has also been sponsored by Michael Michaud, a Democratic from Maine’s 2nd District. This bill contains new rules and regulations for the Trucking Industry. With this new law, there is a great possibility that the heavy vehicle use tax fees may be increased, depending on the size of your vehicle. For more information on the bill, you can go to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h763/show

Here are some of the proposed rules according to the new bill in Congress: H.R. 763: Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011.  In Section 4 of the bill, it explains the newly proposed regulations.
Section 4 – safe and efficient vehicle charges
(a) In General- Subsection (a) of section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:
‘In the case of the use of any highway motor vehicle described in section 127(i) of title 23, United States Code, in lieu of the rate in the table, the rate shall be equal to the lesser of-
(1) $100 per year, plus $22 for each 1,000 pounds (or function thereof) in excess of 55,000 pounds,
(2) $800 per year.


According to the previous years’ HVUT calculations, any vehicle weighing 55,000 pounds owed $100 per year and anything in excess of 55,000 would yield, $100 + $22 for each 1,000 pounds in excess of 55,000 pounds. A vehicle weighing above 75,000 pounds would have to pay $550 annually.

Based on the proposed rules for HVUT Form 2290 for the current year 2011-2012, the calculation for the fee structure would be: $100 + $22 for each additional 1,000 pounds over 55,000. But for a 75,000 pound vehicle that would previously owe $550, the current calculation would be: $100 for the first 55,000 pounds, $550 for the 25,000 extra pounds $650 total due for 75,000 lbs and above vehicle.

It is important to keep in mind that much of this new bill proposes that the maximum weight of a heavy vehicle be increased. So this new pricing structure is meant to reflect that. As you can see, the pricing change mainly affects larger trucks. This is because there will likely be new trucks on the roads that will be larger than anything out there now.

Section 4 also mentions that:
The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable periods beginning after the date of this act’s enactment.

While no one can predict the status of this bill, it is safe to bet that the good folks at Express Truck Tax will be ready to help anyone file whatever forms are necessary. It is certain that their Truck Tax experts will be able to help. If you have any questions or would like to learn some more about the transformations in heavy vehicle use taxes, please contact IRS authorized EFile provider ExpressTruckTax.com at 704.234.6006 or by email at support@ExpressTruckTax.com

Truck Tax Regulations for 2011 (HVUT)

August 20th, 2011
You don’t have to be a transportation expert to understand that Washington DC is known for its gridlock. The very worst of it is actually off the roads and on Capital Hill. While both parties in Congress continue to argue, there is a significant piece of legislation that has yet to be voted on. The delay of this legislation being enacted has thrown many people in the trucking & transportation industry for a loop.

The law previously referred to is a transportation law known as SAFETEA-LU – the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users – which expired in 2009, but it allowed the taxes associated with the Highway Trust Fund to be collected for an additional two years. When SAFETEA-LU became law in 2005, lawmakers added what they believed to be enough time to get the next multi-year transportation authorization bill in place.

Those two years have passed faster than expected and we are left without a new Highway Bill to replace it. The House and Senate committees are now drafting preliminary versions of the legislation and will continue to debate its details. Let’s hope that both sides come to an agreement soon to avoid massive confusion in the trucking industry. Trucking Regulations alone are complicated enough.

Under normal circumstances, tax provisions related to the Highway Trust Fund would be extended as part of the authorization. Unfortunately, no one can accurately predict what will happen in the future, especially with the extreme volatility between political parties of late. One thing that is predictable, however, is that ExpressTruckTax.com will keep updating their website and blog with the latest news affecting the Trucking Industry. Once there is more information available about the HVUT filing process, we will let you know. Express Truck Tax is the premier provider of Tax Services for the Trucking Industry; as soon as the IRS releases the new Form 2290, it will be available for EFiling at www.ExpressTruckTax.com.

Hidden Benefits of E-filing Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290

August 9th, 2011
While there are many obvious benefits to electronically file the IRS Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax.com, there are also several that you may not initially recognize. The more obvious benefits to filing Truck Taxes with Express Truck Tax include a quicker filing process, more affordable pricing than other E-File providers, and a customer support team that can walk you through the process. But what you may not also realize is that it is also beneficial to the environment due to the lack of wasted paper; it also cuts down on our government’s spending because electronic returns are much easier for the IRS to process.

Not only does our excessive use of paper deplete our planet’s precious supply of natural resources, the harsh chemicals used to process, bleach, and create the paper that we use everyday is also causing damage. A simple way to help cut down on our heavy use of paper in our offices and homes is to utilize electronic forms when possible. It is also more secure to file documents electronically. With electronic transfers, your private information is sent directly to the person who should be receiving it, and there is no risk of getting lost in the mail or being sent to the wrong person.

Another benefit of E-filing tax returns with the IRS that may not be so obvious is that it costs much less for the IRS to process a return that has been E-Filed. With this country’s rising debt crisis, this is a small step that you can take to help reduce government redundancies, and keep the cost of running this government low.  

If these reasons alone are not enough to convince you to E-File, then feel free to call us at (704)234-6005. Our dedicated team of customer support professionals would love to talk to you in more detail about the filing process for IRS Form 2290, 8849, HVUT, and more. You could also send an email with any questions to support@expresstrucktax.com.  

Why you need to file IRS Form 2290(Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Return)

August 1st, 2011
To file your HVUT with the IRS using Form 2290, it is very important that you keep accurate records, just like you would when filing any other type of tax return. It is crucial for anyone filing form 2290 to maintain their records for at least the prior 3 years for any taxable highway vehicles registered to them. For fleet owners and small trucking companies who have filed form 2290 in the past, it is wise to always keep the 2290 records on hand, as one never knows when IRS inspection may take place. It is even important to save these returns if they are only for a part of a year. In the case of a suspended vehicle (public highway use was less than 5,000 miles/year) it is still necessary to keep records of Form 2290’s filed for them as well.

You will need to gather the following information before filing form 2290 to accelerate the filing process.  You will need a description of all vehicles for which you are filing as well as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for each one. You will also need to know the gross taxable weight of the vehicle.  It is also necessary to report the date the vehicle was acquired, as well as the name and address of the previous owner. The fist use month for the taxable period is also required for reporting. If a vehicle is considered to be suspended, keep a record of actual highway mileage. If the vehicle is an agricultural vehicle, then keep accurate records of the number of miles it is driven on a farm or field.

Keeping proper records of your 2290 information will be a great help to you in the unfortunate event of an audit.  It will also make the task of filing this form much easier.   

ExpressTruckTax.com is an IRS authorized E-File provider who can help you file form 2290 as well as keep secure online records of previously filed form 2290’s. For more information on the 2290 filing process, heavy vehicle use tax, IRS payment methods, etc visit the Express Truck Tax website or call our Truck Tax experts at 704-234-6005. You can also email any questions to support@ExpressTruckTax.com.

3 Month Tax Extension for Internal Revenue Service Form 2290 (Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax)

July 25th, 2011
Earlier this month the Internal Revenue Service informed truckers, owner operators, and trucking companies who file federal highway use tax returns that the typical deadline of August 31st will be extended to November 30, 2011. The official legislation for the currently scheduled to expire on September 30, 2011. The current legislation has yet to be passed through Congress; the extension was put in place because it is still possible for Congress to alter the tax legislation after the expiration date. According to the IRS, returns should not be filed and payments should not be made prior to November 1st.

New regulations require state Departments of Motor Vehicles to accept a prior year stamped Schedule 1 of the Form 2290. Typically, taxpayers are required to present a stamped Schedule 1 to register a vehicle with the DMV. The Schedule 1 is usually stamped by the IRS as a proof that the return was filed correctly.  

If a taxpayer acquired a new vehicle during July 2011-November 2011, recent regulations allow states to register vehicles without proof that the highway use tax was paid as long as they provide a copy of the bill of sale or a similar proof of purchase to verify that it was acquired in the past 150 days.

If you are unsure whether or not you qualify to file the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, it typically applies to trucks, truck tractors, and buses with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or greater. As a rule of thumb, vans, pick-ups, and panel trucks do not qualify due to the 55,000 pound minimum.

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