Express Truck Tax Blog | E-file IRS HVUT Form 2290 & 8849 and File IFTA

Choosing an IRS-Authorized e-file Provider for Form 2290 (HVUT)

October 4th, 2011

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In order to file HVUT, or Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, you must file IRS Form 2290. If you have been in the Transportation industry for many years, then you are likely more familiar with the process for filing this form with the IRS. However, there have been some huge technology advances in the past few years and the IRS now accepts and encourages taxpayers to E-File their 2290 Form.

To take advantage of this new simpler process, you will need to use an online service provider for the IRS Form 2290. Our need to select the one that is right for you! In making these decisions, there are a few things that you should consider. When you select a provider, make sure that they are an authorized IRS E-File Provider. You should also make sure that they can handle all of your truck tax needs. Some e-filing services can only handle the Form 2290 and nothing else. A third item to consider is a provider that is entirely web-based.

As for the Authorized E-File Providers, you should look on their website for a statement that they are indeed authorized by the IRS to E-File. You can also refer to the IRS Website to see a complete list of Authorized E-File Providers.

If you are filing Truck Taxes for more than just the Form 2290, such as IFTA, or Form 8849 then it would be beneficial to have them all filed from the same place. Some service providers are exclusively for Form 2290, or Form 8849, etc. It would be most economical and convenient to get them all filed in the same place.

In this day and age, it is silly to not use an e-file provider that is not completely web-based. If the system is not web based, then there is less reason to use them. The IRS actually recommends E-Filing because of its speed and security. If you are required to download lots of files and store information on your computer, the 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.

ExpressTruckTax.com is one such provider. Their system is entirely web-based, they are a one-stop-shop for truck tax needs, and they are authorized by the IRS as an official E-File provider. They are also terrific when it comes to customer support! You can contact their wonderful team of Truck Tax experts anytime! They offer live chat & phone support Mon-Fri, as well as email support 24/7. 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 is processed by the IRS and sent back to the person filing. The form will then contain a watermark from the IRS as proof that it has been processed.

Senate Approves Highway Funding Extensions

September 20th, 2011

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On Thursday, September 15th, 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 been cancelled without this extension.

The Transportation bill has been extended many times already, and a more permanent piece of legislation is needed. 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 funding expired.

This stop-gap measure will also provide the government with the ability to collect taxes on airline ticket sales through the FAA. The FAA incurred a partial shutdown for two weeks earlier this year 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.

President Barack Obama Pushes for the Renewal of Transportation Bills

September 6th, 2011

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On Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at the Rose Garden, President Barack Obama spoke about the pending Transportation Bill currently in Congress to a large gathering of highway workers. He was joined by Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, as well as Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, and also David Chavern, the chief operating officer of the Chamber of Commerce.

Among other things, the main focus of President Obama’s speech revolved around the necessity of renewing the Transportation Bill that is currently set to expire September 30. The primary arguments for extending the bill were that not extending it would cost up to a million jobs of hard working highway workers and extending the bill would also bring much needed tax revenue to fund road repairs and maintenance.

“Now is the time for Congress to extend the transportation bill, and keep our workers on the job. Now is the time to put our country before party and give certainty to the people who are trying to get by. There’s work to done. There are workers ready to do it. That’s why I expect Congress to act immediately.” said the President.

Video Link: http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/ExtensionofTr

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/assets/swf/CSPANPlayer.swf?pid=301309-1

Be Ready to File Form 2290 for Heavy Highway Vehicles

August 31st, 2011

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As the month of November moves closer and closer, you will want to be able to get your Form 2290 taken care of as swiftly as possible once it is made available. It is unfortunate enough that the filing process was delayed, but to avoid any future confusion about the issue, it would be beneficial to be ready to file once the form is available.

In order to make the filing process easier 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 3 years prior to the filing date 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 first 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.

IRS New HVUT (form 2290) Regulations for 2011

August 27th, 2011

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There are several taxes that are imposed on those in the trucking industry each year. Heavy Vehicles travelling on public highways are subject to HVUT, or Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. These taxes can be filed by filing a Form 2290. Truckers, owner operators, and trucking companies were recently notified by the IRS that their next highway use tax return for filing HVUT (which is usually due on August 31) will instead be due on November 30, 2011. The primary reason for the extension of the due date is to reduce confusion and multiple filings of Form 2290 that could result if Congress reinstates or makes changes to the current highway use tax after September 30, 2011.

The previously mentioned Heavy Vehicle Use Tax applies to trucks, truck tractors and buses with a gross taxable weight of 55,000 pounds and above. There are also many detailed rules and regulations that apply to vehicles with minimal road use, logging/agricultural vehicles, vehicles transferred during the year, and also those whose first use month was during July. In typical scenarios, vans, pick-ups and panel trucks are not taxable because would [under normal circumstances] fall below the 55,000 pound requirement.

The recently determined filing deadline of November 30 for Form 2290 (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return) applies to the tax period beginning on July 1, 2011. This does not only include those vehicles that were used during July, it also includes those whose first use month was during August or September. According to recent statements from the IRS, 2290 tax returns should not be filed and payments should not be made until November 1, 2011.

Regulations for new vehicles that need to be registered will also take effect. Any new vehicle that needs to be registered during July through October of 2011, state DMV’s are now required to accept a Stamped Schedule 1 from the previous year since it is not possible to receive a stamped Schedule 1 until November of 2011. If a vehicle was acquired within the current tax year, and there is not a stamped Schedule 1 for the previous year, the owner only needs to provide some form of proof of purchase to prove that the vehicle was recently placed in his/her possession.

Fortunately, once the Form 2290 is available, the electronic filing service: ExpressTruckTax.com will be able to E-File the form and send it to the IRS in minutes. Express Truck Tax is an IRS Authorized E-File provider for filing Form 2290. The E-Filing Process is very simple; the form can be completed in minutes, and it can be sent to the IRS as soon as it is finished. It is such a time saver when you compare it to waiting in the IRS office for hours or sending it via postal mail and waiting weeks for the IRS to process it. All you will need is your basic information about yourself, and your truck.

File IRS Form 2290 through an IRS-Authorized Service Provider

August 26th, 2011

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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.

IRS 2290 Form filing Delays for tax year 2011-2012

August 24th, 2011

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An annual tax on the use of heavy highway vehicles is imposed in Section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS uses Form 2290 to report this tax. The Internal Revenue Service has stated that the law governing taxes imposed on the use of heavy highway vehicles (Form 2290)
will expire on September 30, 2011. The IRS Form 2290 for the new tax year beginning July 1, 2011 is not available at this time and has not yet been published by the IRS for the new tax period. Due to the current situation, you can most likely expect a delay in the filing period for heavy vehicle use tax form 2290. It is also very likely that we may also expect to see changes in the new Form 2290 when it is published. This is based on the fact that the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Schedule 1 for previous tax periods has typically changed slightly from year to year.

Although the 2290 form is not yet ready, you can still get your vehicle tags for the tax period beginning July 1, 2011. Existing regulations allow states to register heavy highway vehicles when the registration application is received during the months of July, August, or September. A Schedule 1 for the previous year (July 2010 – June 2011) then state offices can accept it as a proof of payment.

You can also get your newly acquired heavy highway vehicles registered by the state without having a proof of tax payment. If you present an original or a photocopy of the bill of sale showing that the vehicle was acquired during the 60 days preceding the date that the state receives the application for registration.

Taxpayers should be aware that the IRS strictly discourages sending any old/previous form or payment to the IRS in order to file HVUT for new tax period (2011-2012). If the older form is sent to the IRS, the payment will be applied towards the tax account and a Schedule 1 will not be issued. However, they will send a notice to send a new form when it becomes available.

We will keep you updated on the latest changes as we get them from the IRS. In the meantime, if you have already filed a 2290 return for the tax year 2010-2011, then you should contact the IRS at 866-699-4096 to get a copy of your Schedule 1. If you have filed through one of the IRS authorized E-File providers such as ExpressTruckTax.com then you need to get in touch with them to get a copy of your Schedule 1.

IRS Tax Implications for those in the Trucking Industry

August 19th, 2011

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For many Owner-Operators of Heavy Highway Vehicles, the benefits of self employment make being on the open road a very exciting experience. However, due to the heavy regulation of the Trucking and Transportation Industry, there are various taxes you must pay for self-employment income earned as an independent truck driver. Since self-employed individuals are not subject to tax withholding, there is more control over periodic tax payments throughout the year, which can be cut down by claiming deductions for business expenses.

Self-Employment Tax

The Self-Employment tax applies to truck drivers who operate their own business. These taxes are imposed in order to fund the Social Security and Medicare programs. The disadvantage of paying these taxes as a self-employed individual is that you owe twice as much as taxpayers who earn their income from employment. This is because employers are responsible for paying the other half of these taxes for their employees. There is somewhat of a silver lining to this though, the IRS does allow you to claim a deduction for 50 percent of the self-employment tax payments you make as an adjustment to income.

Truck Driver Deductions

You are not required to pay income tax or self-employment tax on your gross earnings from self employed truck driving. Instead, it calculates your tax due on net earnings, which is equal to your gross earnings minus all deductions you can claim. In order to claim a deduction, the expense must be ordinary and necessary to operate your business. This may cover any number of expenses you incur, but typically, truck drivers may deduct the cost of gasoline, oil, truck repairs, insurance and parking charges. You may also deduct the cost of the truck itself by including the lease payments or depreciation of the purchase price in your deductions. And, if you ever stay in a hotel during those long road trips, you may deduct your lodging expenses also.

Other Truck Taxes

IRS Form 2290 is meant to send information about the usage of a commercial truck and to pay taxes on that use to the IRS. You can use this form for a single truck filing, or up to twenty-five vehicles can be reported on one form. The major reasons for filing the form include:

Calculating and paying the taxes owed on Heavy Highway Use Vehicles
Claiming a suspension of the tax for vehicles driven less than 5,000 miles during the applicable period (or 7,500 miles if agricultural use)
Claiming a credit for a sold, stolen or destroyed vehicle

The typical Tax year for Form 2290 is from July 1st to June 30th of the next year. The form and any payment are typically due by the end of August of the corresponding year. The IRS requires that forms with 25 or more vehicles to be electronically filed.

As mentioned Earlier, the typical tax year is from July 1 to June 30, but this year it has changed. Due to legislation being held up in Congress, there has yet to be a legislation enacted to collect these Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes. The IRS has announced that it will not be accepting these 2290 forms until November 1 of this year.

Keeping Records for Internal Revenue Service Form 2290

August 17th, 2011

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When it comes time to file Heavy Vehicle Use Tax with the IRS using Form 2290, it is very important that you keep accurate records, the same way that 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 in their name. For fleet owners, owner operators, 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 the 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:

Vehicle Descriptions: detailed information for all of the vehicles for which you are filing.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for each one.
Gross Taxable Weight of the vehicle.
Date the vehicle was acquired
Name and address of the previous owner.
First Use Month.
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.

Organizing IFTA Fuel Tax Information with Express Truck Tax

August 6th, 2011

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The term IFTA refers to the International Fuel Tax Agreement. This agreement makes certain vehicles liable for a Fuel Tax for each state in which the vehicle was driven. IFTA is a tax collection agreement among the 48 contiguous United States and the 10 Canadian Provinces bordering the US.

Recording and Organizing the information required is a very precise and exacting task, but thanks to Express Truck Tax, there is now a much simpler web-based process. Vehicles required to prepare an IFTA return must keep track of miles traveled and fuel purchased within each state or province. Due to the complicated task of keeping accurate records, and filing this form appropriately many less than fortunate drivers receive IRS audits because information on their IFTA return was not properly entered.

As mentioned earlier, Express Truck Tax, along with providing a terrific service for other Truck Tax needs IRS Form 2290, will perform an internal audit of your information for you. In this internal audit performed by Express Truck Tax, it will check for basic mistakes and discrepancies, as well as perform a state adjacency check and an abnormal MPG audit. They also provide online trip sheets for drivers to keep accurate records that can be accessed from any computer, anywhere! If you can prevent an IRS audit due to simple mistakes on an IFTA return, it makes no sense not to. Let Express Truck Tax help get it right the first time.

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Archive

Choosing an IRS-Authorized e-file Provider for Form 2290 (HVUT)

Senate Approves Highway Funding Extensions

President Barack Obama Pushes for the Renewal of Transportation Bills

Be Ready to File Form 2290 for Heavy Highway Vehicles

IRS New HVUT (form 2290) Regulations for 2011

File IRS Form 2290 through an IRS-Authorized Service Provider

IRS 2290 Form filing Delays for tax year 2011-2012

IRS Tax Implications for those in the Trucking Industry

Keeping Records for Internal Revenue Service Form 2290

Organizing IFTA Fuel Tax Information with Express Truck Tax

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