The International Fuel Tax Agreement was implemented by the lower 48 states and ten Canadian provinces to make it easier for interstate motor carriers to file and report their fuel taxes collectively, rather than with each state independently. However, each quarter, it remains a complicated and time-consuming pain point for truckers and fleets of all sizes.
The good news? There’s an easier way to tackle the IFTA fuel tax than you might be used to – your reports could be ready in just a few clicks. But first, let’s cover the basics.
Who Needs to File IFTA?
Before filing, you’ll want to make sure you actually qualify to file. The following carriers are required to file quarterly IFTA fuel tax reports:
- Vehicles with two axles and a gross vehicle weight rating or registered gross vehicle weight above 26,000 pounds
- Vehicles of any weight with three or more axles
- Any combination of vehicles with a total gross vehicle weight or weight rating more than 26,000 pounds
When is IFTA Due?
While specific filing dates may vary slightly each year, the standard IFTA filing deadlines are as follows:
- First quarter – April 30*
- Second quarter – July 31*
- Third quarter – October 31
- Fourth quarter – January 31
*In 2023 the first quarter deadline is May 1, due to original dates falling on weekends.
The Pain Points of Filing IFTA Manually
If you’ve been through the process of filing your IFTA fuel tax reports in the past, you know it comes with challenges. In order to successfully file IFTA without a filing software, you typically have to keep all of your fuel receipts and organize them by state, ensure your duty logs are current and record every single mile you drive.
These processes are extremely time-consuming and require detailed records that are often hard to keep organized while on the road or managing fleets with multiple trucks and drivers.
But, there is an easier way!
The Benefits of Using IFTA Fuel Tax Software
There are many software options available for owner-operators and fleets looking for ways to save time and energy on IFTA filing each quarter. Typically, these programs integrate with your electronic logging devices (ELDs), fuel transactions and more to make your reporting easier. Because the software tracks the important details for you, it saves you the time of manually logging records and keeping track of receipts while on the road. And more often than not, you’re able to calculate your reports with just a few clicks!