FAQ Friday: Do you need Form 2290 to register your vehicle?

Find out more about Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax!

Do you need Form 2290 to register your vehicle?

It is important that you file Form 2290 for vehicles weighing 55,000 pounds or more in order for it to be registered. By filing Form 2290, you will receive a Stamped Schedule 1 upon its acceptance. This will serve as proof of filing Form 2290 for the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) and needs to be presented in order to receive the registration and tags for the vehicle. When filing Form 2290 there are some important factors to consider so that you do not receive fines.

Taxable Gross Weight

When filing Form 2290, you must indicate a vehicle’s Taxable Gross Weight. A vehicle’s taxable gross weight is the weight of the truck, the trailer, and the maximum weight of the load it can carry. A vehicle’s weight classification affects the amount of tax owed for the vehicle. If the wrong weight class is reported on Form 2290 and you are found to have reported the wrong weight, this may result in fines for failing to provide correct information on your vehicle especially if the amount you pay ends up being less than what is actually owed for the vehicle’s correct weight class. If you file for the wrong weight class, ExpressTruckTax offers convenient ways for resolving this type of mistake. If the weight is actually more than was reported you must file a weight increase amendment. If the weight of the vehicle is less than what was reported, you can file Form 8849 to get a refund on the form and then file a new Form 2290 for the correct weight. 

Is your vehicle suspended?

Does your vehicle weigh 55,000 pounds or more and drive less than 5,000 miles in a year? If it is used for agricultural purposes, does it drive less than 7,500 miles a year? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then your vehicle is considered suspended by the IRS. If your vehicle is suspended, you still have to file Form 2290 but no tax will be owed for this vehicle. If you file your Form 2290 and report your vehicle as suspended and it ends up going over the mileage limit, and you are caught, this could result in fines. In order to fix this you can file a mileage exceeded amendment with ExpressTruckTax and pay the tax owed for the full tax year. If you file Form 2290 and pay the tax for the full tax year but you end up not exceeding the mileage limit, you can file Form 8849 to receive a refund for the tax amount paid. 

Filing by the deadline

Filing Form 2290 late can result in fines and if you are caught not having filed Form 2290 by the deadline you will be fined and need to file the form. If your vehicle has been on the road for a year or more or you are putting it on the road for the first time in July, the deadline to file Form 2290 is August 31st. If you are putting a vehicle on the road for the first time during any other month in the year, the deadline to file Form 2290 will be the last day of the month following your vehicle’s First Used Month. Failing to file by the deadline will result in fines and you will not be able to obtain the tags or registration for your vehicle. 

Why File with ExpressTruckTax?

If you are worried about getting the registration for your vehicle, don’t be. ExpressTruckTax makes the entire Form 2290 filing process a breeze. It will only take you a few minutes to complete the filing, and once the IRS accepts your form you will receive your Stamped Schedule 1. You will need to provide your business information including your Employer Identification Number (EIN), vehicle identification number (VIN), credit vehicles you are claiming if any, and payment information. You are able to pay using a check or money order, EFTPS, Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW), or a credit or debit card through either a third-party payment processor or directly through ExpressTruckTax alongside your filing fee. If this all sounds easy, it is. Hurry and file your Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax today so that you can get your Stamped Schedule 1 as soon as possible!