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

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.

The IRS Reminds Truckers They Have Extra Time

Truckers should wait until November to file their federal highway use tax returns – a three-month extension -- in this new YouTube video.

Watch this and other videos on the IRS’s YouTube Channel

New Regulations for Federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290

The IRS announced earlier in the year that the Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes will not be available for the 2011- 2012 tax year and that the heavy vehicle use tax will expire by end of September 2011. A later announcement stated that the due date of the Form 2290 had been extended by 90 days. This further changed the due date even further to Nov 30th 2011. This was meant to be a relief to tax payers, and hopefully cut down on multiple filings.

There is now a bill that has been drafted (H.R. 763) that has also been sponsored by Michael Michaud, a Democratic from Maine’s 2nd District. This bill contains new rules and regulations for the Trucking Industry. With this new law, there is a great possibility that the heavy vehicle use tax fees may be increased, depending on the size of your vehicle. For more information on the bill, you can go to http://www.opencongress.org/bill/112-h763/show

Here are some of the proposed rules according to the new bill in Congress: H.R. 763: Safe and Efficient Transportation Act of 2011.  In Section 4 of the bill, it explains the newly proposed regulations.

Section 4 – safe and efficient vehicle charges

(a) In General- Subsection (a) of section 4481 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following:

‘In the case of the use of any highway motor vehicle described in section 127(i) of title 23, United States Code, in lieu of the rate in the table, the rate shall be equal to the lesser of-

(1) $100 per year, plus $22 for each 1,000 pounds (or function thereof) in excess of 55,000 pounds,

(2) $800 per year.

According to the previous years’ HVUT calculations, any vehicle weighing 55,000 pounds owed $100 per year and anything in excess of 55,000 would yield, $100 + $22 for each 1,000 pounds in excess of 55,000 pounds. A vehicle weighing above 75,000 pounds would have to pay $550 annually.

Based on the proposed rules for HVUT Form 2290 for the current year 2011-2012, the calculation for the fee structure would be: $100 + $22 for each additional 1,000 pounds over 55,000. But for a 75,000 pound vehicle that would previously owe $550, the current calculation would be: $100 for the first 55,000 pounds, $550 for the 25,000 extra pounds $650 total due for 75,000 lbs and above vehicle.

It is important to keep in mind that much of this new bill proposes that the maximum weight of a heavy vehicle be increased. So this new pricing structure is meant to reflect that. As you can see, the pricing change mainly affects larger trucks. This is because there will likely be new trucks on the roads that will be larger than anything out there now.

Section 4 also mentions that:
The amendment made by this section shall apply to taxable periods beginning after the date of this act’s enactment.

While no one can predict the status of this bill, it is safe to bet that the good folks at Express Truck Tax will be ready to help anyone file whatever forms are necessary. It is certain that their Truck Tax experts will be able to help. If you have any questions or would like to learn some more about the transformations in heavy vehicle use taxes, please contact IRS authorized EFile provider ExpressTruckTax.com at 704.234.6006 or by email at support@ExpressTruckTax.com

IRS Interim Regulations for Filing Heavy Vehicle Use Tax(Form 2290)

For those who are heavily involved in the Trucking and Transportation Industry, it may not be a surprise that this tax year has so far been less than normal as far as Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is concerned.  
 
A Federal Register notice was posted on July 20th, this newly imposed final and temporary regulations by stating that Form 2290 taxpayers should not file before November 1, 2011. The new regulation also added that the IRS will not be providing receipted Schedule 1 forms before the 1st of November.

It is unclear what the future holds for HVUT. Many speculate that there will simply be a delay in the filing season, but the bill has yet to be voted on at this point. If Congress does not change the law, the tax will expire by September 30th, but it seems unlikely that the government would let a tax like this one simply expire. Current regulations have set a tax for July 1, 2011, until Sept. 30, 2011. If Congress neglects to act on this Truck Tax regulation, taxpayers will only be liable for the “short taxable period” (July - September) and would be required to file by Nov. 30. However, if Congress extends the tax past Sept. 30, anyone who files for the “short taxable period” will also be liable for a second Form 2290 for what remains of the 2011-2012 tax year.

For vehicles that need to be registered during Jul-Oct of 2011, the state DMV’s are required to accept a Stamped Schedule 1 from the previous year since it is not possible to receive a stamped Schedule 1 until November 2011. If a vehicle was acquired within the current 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.

Luckily, once the Form 2290 is available, ExpressTruckTax.com will be able to E-File the form and send it to the IRS in minutes. 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.

Three Month Extension of IRS Form 2290(HVUT) - Now Due on Nov. 30, 2011

The IRS recently advised those in the transportation industry with heavy highway vehicles that their next federal highway use tax return will be due on November 30, 2011, instead of the typical due date of August 31st.

The current highway use tax is scheduled to expire on September 30, 2011. The proposed temporary regulations dictate that the November 30th filing deadline for Form 2290 HVUT Return for the tax period that begins on July 1, 2011, applies to vehicles used during July, as well as those first used during August or September. The IRS also states that returns should not be filed and payments should not be made before Nov. 1. This extension is designed to reduce confusion and possible multiple filings that could result if Congress reinstates or modifies the tax after that date.

For those in the transportation industry who need to apply for state vehicle registration on or before November 30th, the new regulations require states to accept the stamped Schedule 1 of the Form 2290 issued by the IRS for the previous tax year, ending on June 30, 2011 as a proof of payment. Federal Law requires that state governments receive proof of payment of the federal highway use tax as a condition of vehicle registration. Typically, after the return is filed and the tax is paid, the taxpayer receives a stamped Schedule 1 to use when registering the vehicle.

If someone needs to register a newly acquired vehicle during the July-to-November period, the new regulations require a state to register the vehicle, without proof that the highway use tax was paid, as long as the person registering the vehicle presents a copy of the bill of sale or another document showing that the owner purchased the vehicle within the previous 150 days.

The heavy vehicle use tax applies to trucks, truck tractors and buses with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Vehicles such as vans, pick-ups and panel trucks are typically not taxable because they fall below the 55,000-pound requirement.

Although the IRS discourages filing until November 1, 2011, the god folks at Express Truck Tax are willing to help you every step of the way!  If you have any questions regarding Truck Taxes, and how to file them, feel free to chat with their experts at (704) 234-6005.  You can also email them at support@ExpressTruckTax.com.  For more information about Truck Taxes, check out their Website and Blog: ExpressTruckTax.com