FAQ Friday: Privately Purchased Vehicles and Form 2290

Learn about privately purchased vehicles and Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax!

What is considered a privately purchased vehicle?

A privately purchased vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased from a private seller and not a dealership, an auto auction, or leased from a carrier or leasing company.

Privately Purchased Vehicles and Form 2290

Buying a Privately Owned Vehicle

If you purchase a vehicle weighing 55,000 pounds or more you must file Form 2290 for the Heavy Vehicle Use tax for this vehicle. If the First Used Month of your vehicle is during the month of the sale, your total Heavy Vehicle Use Tax for the vehicle will not include the tax for the month of the sale. If this is the case, the deadline to file Form 2290 will remain the same. 

The First Used Month of a vehicle refers to the month in which the vehicle was put on the road for the first time. You have until the last day of the following month to pay your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. When you purchase a privately owned vehicle, the same rules apply except the amount of taxes you will pay will not include the First Used Month. For example, if you purchase a vehicle of a qualifying weight in January and start operating it in January, your Heavy vehicle use tax will not include tax for January, and the deadline to file Form 2290 will be the last day of February.

Selling a Privately Owned Vehicle

If you sell a privately owned vehicle, you can claim a credit for this vehicle next time you file Form 2290 for a different vehicle. If you are not planning to file Form 2290 for a different vehicle it is recommended that you file Form 8849. Provide all of the details of the sale so that you can get a refund for the remaining months in the tax year that you did not own the vehicle. 

Why File Form 2290 With ExpressTruckTax

Whether you are purchasing a privately owned vehicle or selling one, ExpressTruckTax makes it easy to File Form 2290 or Form 8849 no matter the situation. Simply enter your business information, your vehicle information, the credit vehicles you are claiming if any, and your payment information. ExpressTruckTax offers several convenient payment methods for paying the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. What are you waiting for? File Form 2290 or Form 8849 with ExpressTruckTax for the most user-friendly experience out there!