Although the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is imposed annually, it is also mandatory for vehicles to file for this using the IRS form 2290 after the first use month. The typical tax year for heavy vehicles begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. For vehicles that are first used during the tax year, a prorated tax must be paid for the months that the vehicle was in use. This can be done with the IRS Form 2290 and the easiest way to file the 2290 is through ExpressTruckTax.com

When a new vehicle is placed in service, the Form 2290 must be filed by the last day of the following month. For Example, vehicles that were placed in service during the month of March will need to file HVUT using the 2290 by April 30. The tax will be calculated based on the number of months the vehicle will have been used during the tax year. Remember that the tax year for Heavy Highway Vehicles is from July to June. 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 28th, It will be taxed as though it was used the entire month.

Although it is rare, some Vehicles that fit the above description may be exempt from the HVUT 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 District of Columbia
• The Federal Government
• state or local government
• Mass Transportation Authority (Only if granted certain powers normally exercised by the state)
• 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)
• American National Red Cross
• Mobile Machinery that meets specifications for a chassis
• Qualified Blood Collector Vehicles

Although the IRS still accepts physical tax returns by postal mail, it does appear to be moving away from that and closer to requiring E-Filing more and more. One particular example of this is IRS Form 2290, which is used to collect what is referred to as the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax or HVUT. It is a fee that the IRS requires all vehicles with registered gross weights equal to or exceeding 55,000 pounds to pay annually on heavy vehicles operating on public highways.

The IRS has already made it mandatory for all Trucking Companies or other industries that have to file a Form 2290 for 25 or more heavy vehicles to E-File the return as opposed to paper filing it. This IRS Form contains a Schedule 1 which must be stamped by the IRS before the vehicle can be registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles. This form can be mailed to the IRS, which can take up to several weeks to process. It could also be taken directly to the IRS office, which can take several hours of your day. This must be accompanied by a proof of EFTPS payment.

This form must be filed annually, for each taxable vehicle that is used on public highways during the current period. The Current Period begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the next year. 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.

Even though there are thousands, if not millions, of Heavy Vehicles that are required to file HVUT the IRS still requires everyone to either mail the Form 2290 to the IRS or actually come to the IRS office. Fortunately there is an easier way that has recently become available. www.ExpressTruckTax.com allows you to fill out your IRS Form 2290 online and send it to the IRS electronically! This way you can get a stamped schedule 1 in about 10 minutes. Express Truck Tax is authorized by the IRS to file Form 2290. The taxpayer will then receive the schedule 1 via email or fax as soon as the IRS processes the form. The form will then be watermarked by the IRS instead of an actual physical stamp.

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.

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.