Transportation Bill clears Senate committee

As of Thursday, September 8, 2011 the much talked about Transportation Bill known as SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) was approved by a Senate committee.

This bill has had a significant amount of publicity ever since President Barack Obama made a speech from the White House Rose Garden last week, in which he was joined by Transportation Secretary, Ray LaHood, as well as Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, and also David Chavern, the chief operating officer of the Chamber of Commerce. He gave Congress another warning at that time also, stating that letting the transportation bill expire at the end of the month would be “not acceptable” and “inexcusable.”

The Senate Committee approved an extension of the current bill. This is the eighth time the bill has been extended. This will serve as a step in the right direction for the Transportation Industry, but as many have said, an extension is like a band aid on a bigger problem. There still needs to be new legislation put in place for this industry, it cannot simply be ignored.

However, the act of extending the bill seems to be all either party can agree to.  The Democratically-controlled Senate and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives have presented vastly different options for this bill.  The House proposed spending $235 billion over the next six years, while the senate proposed spending $109 billion over the next two years.

When asked to comment on the decision, Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey stated: “The American people didn’t send us here to make unemployment worse and allow our roads to crumble—and that’s why we must act swiftly to extend this law," he continued. "Instead of putting up roadblocks to this extension, I hope our colleagues will work with us to fix the economy, help Americans get back to work and keeps our country moving forward. Once we have passed this short-term fix, we need to complete work on a long-term bill that strengthens investment in our national transportation network to create jobs, maintain our roads and bridges, and invest in rail and transit to ease commutes.”

This is a positive step for the Trucking and Transportation Industry. Although it is still not possible to file Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes with Form 2290, the folks at Express Truck Tax will be available to answer any questions and help drivers file those taxes. For more information, 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.

What You Need to File Internal Revenue Service Form 2290 Online(HVUT)

To file the IRS Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, there are a few key pieces of information you will need to know in order to receive a stamped Schedule 1 from the IRS. First and foremost, you should have an idea as to the number of miles driven by each vehicle, because if a vehicle was driven less than 5,000 miles (or 7,500 miles if agricultural) then it would technically be considered to be a credit vehicle. Other information that is key to filing Form 2290 is your Employee Identification Number (EIN), Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and the taxable gross weight of the vehicle.

The Employee Identification Number is a required section of the Form 2290. This is a number that is unique to you, and the IRS uses it to identify a business entity. If you do not have an EIN, you can apply for one through the IRS website.  

Another necessary part of the Form 2290 is, of course, the Vehicle Identification Number. Every vehicle is required to have a VIN, which is a 17 character combination of numbers and letters.  This information can typically be found on the registration or title of the vehicle. In order to know how much tax is to be paid, you must also report the Taxable Gross Weight of the vehicle. This can be found by adding the following totals: unloaded weight of the vehicle fully equipped for service, unloaded weight of any trailers equipped for service and customarily used in combination with the vehicle, and the weight of the maximum load customarily carried on the vehicle and on any trailers customarily used in combination with the vehicle.

Once this information is obtained, the best way to file the Form 2290 is by using an IRS-approved E-File provider like ExpressTruckTax.com. Filing this form online is a much better option than mailing it in, or waiting in line at the IRS office. Filing Online through the secure servers of Express Truck Tax is safer than sending important tax documents via postal mail.  It is also much quicker. The IRS typically processes each return and sends it back to you in a matter of minutes. This helps you stay focused on what matters to you, not on endless paperwork, or long lines at the IRS office.

IRS gives three Month Extension for Truck Taxes(Federal Highway Use Tax Form 2290)

The Internal Revenue Service recently advised truckers and others filing Heavy Vehicle Use Tax that the next federal highway use tax return would be due on November 30, 2011instead of the typical August 31 deadline. The full letter from the Internal Revenue Service can be found here.

The extension is meant to remove confusion and multiple filings. Since new legislation needs to be voted on by Congress, the tax could be modified or simply reinstated. To ease the hassle of applying for state vehicle registration on or before November 30, state DMV’s must accept a stamped Schedule 1 of the prior year’s Form 2290. Typically, taxpayers  receive a stamped schedule 1 after the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is filed and paid. However, this year, the prior year’s schedule 1 must be used because the IRS is not yet accepting the Form 2290 for this tax year.

For Taxpayers who have acquired and need to register new or used vehicles during the July-November period, new regulations now require states to register those vehicles without a proof of HVUT payment. The taxpayer will be required to prove that they acquired the vehicle within the past 150 days.

For taxable vehicles used during July, the Form 2290 and payment are normally due on August 31st. The tax is calculated based on the weight of the vehicle. There are also many special rules that apply to vehicles with low mileage, as well as logging, and agricultural vehicles.

HVUT(U.S Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290) Season Delayed by IRS

As you most likely know, the IRS has not yet disclosed the official Form 2290 for filing Truck Taxes.  This delay in the process has certainly caused some headaches for the service providers such as Express Truck Tax, who E-File this form on behalf of their clients.  Land Line, the business magazine for professional truckers, recently released an article about the delay.   In short, the Form 2290 will not be available until new legislation is passed, but drivers will be able to get their vehicle tags and register vehicles by using your previous year’s Schedule 1.

The following Article can be read in its entirety at LandLineMag.com:

Before you make a mad dash to the IRS office to file your Form 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, hold on. A week before filing season for the IRS Form 2290 was due to begin on July 1, the Internal Revenue Service announced a delay.

New legislation needs to be passed before IRS can collect the HVUT for the entire year. And right now that tax legislation is tied up in Congress. This means that your normal filing, which was for the tax period beginning July 1, 2011, won’t happen.

IRS will not accept any paper format or e-filing at this time. In fact, the form has not been published by the IRS and is not even available yet. An announcement on when it will be in place is expected to be made by IRS.

While the IRS e-file is not available for the tax period beginning July 1, 2011, you can still e-file your 2290 tax return for the tax period July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011.

The IRS may wait as long as possible so that a single tax return is all that will be necessary for the 2011-12 tax Year. However, a backup plan is in place so that a three-month tax (July, August and September) can be collected by the Aug. 31 filing deadline. When the new legislation is passed, it will determine what happens for the reminder of the 2011/12 tax year.

Can you get your tags and register your vehicle? The IRS says yes, you can get your tags for the tax period beginning July 1, 2011. Existing regs allow states to register a heavy highway vehicle when the application for registration is received during the months of July, August or September 2011. If you have your receipted Schedule 1 for the previous year’s taxable period – in this case July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 – states can accept it as proof of payment.

States must register newly acquired heavy highway use vehicles without proof of tax payment if you present the original or photocopy of a bill of sale showing that the truck was purchased by the owner during the 60 days before the date the state receives the application for registration.

Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 Section Overview

First Use Month
The First Use Month refers to the month that the vehicle was first used during the tax period.  If the vehicle will be used for the entire Tax Period, then July would be the appropriate month to select.  

Taxable Vehicles
On The Taxable Vehicles section, you can enter all of your taxable motor vehicles weighing 55,000 lbs or more.  Do Not Add vehicles that you expect to use less than 5,000 miles during the tax period (or 7,500 miles, If Agricultural Use).  These Vehicles are known as low mileage, tax suspended, or category W vehicles; and they can be added in another section.

Suspended Vehicles
Tax Suspended Vehicles, also known as low mileage or category W vehicles are not subject to taxation because these vehicles will remain below the mileage threshold of 5,000 miles during the tax period (or 7,500 miles, if Agricultural use).  

Prior Year Suspended Vehicles
If You Reported any vehicles as Tax Suspended or category W during the previous tax period, you must report these vehicles to the IRS if either of the following occurred:
A:  The Vehicle exceeded the mileage threshold
or
B: The vehicle was Sold
Do Not add a suspended vehicle if neither of these occurred

Sold, Destroyed, or Stolen Vehicles
If you Sold a taxable vehicle, or that vehicle was destroyed or stolen before June 1st, you are eligible for a pro-rated credit or refund.

Low Mileage Credits
If you paid Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, but did not exceed the mileage threshold during a prior tax period, you are eligible for a credit or refund of the Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes paid during that period. Enter all applicable vehicles in this section.

Heavy Vehicle Use Tax(Internal Revenue Service Form 2290)

HVUT refers to the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, which is a fee imposed on heavy highway vehicles operating on public roads.  A vehicle is required to file HVUT, if it has a registered gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.  This amount is the gross taxable weight, which is calculated by adding the following amounts:

• The unloaded weight of a vehicle that is fully equipped for service
• The weight of any unloaded trailers, equipped for service, and typically used with the vehicle
• The maximum weight of the load customarily carried on the vehicle and on any trailers customarily used with the vehicle.

The official definition, according to the IRS,of a taxable Highway Motor Vehicle is any self-propelled vehicle that is designed to carry a load over public highways.  Examples of such vehicles include trucks, truck tractors, and buses.  The IRS does not usually consider vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks, panel trucks, or other similar vehicles because they do not typically weigh 55,000 pounds or more.  

HVUT rates are broken down into three categories for these vehicles.  Vehicles under 55,000 pounds have no HVUT because they do not fit the qualifications of a heavy vehicle.  Vehicles between 55,000 and 75,000 pounds owe $100, plus $22 per 1,000 pounds over 55,000 pounds.  Thirdly, if a vehicle is over 75,000 pounds, the maximum HVUT is $550 per year.

Internal Revenue Service Form 2290 Stamped Schedule 1 with Express Truck Tax

It is Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) filing season and the Process for Filing IRS Form 2290 and receiving a stamped Schedule 1 can be a confusing process.  

• The first thing to do in order to Receive a Stamped Schedule 1 for your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is to fill out IRS Form 2290.  The Schedule 1 is included in this particular IRS Form.  This form can be completed either by hand or online.
• The next step in the traditional process is for the form to be taken to the nearest IRS Office including a proof of payment or proof of EFTPS Payment.  It could also be mailed to the nearest IRS office via postal mail.
• The Problem with the traditional paper filing process is that both options are very time consuming.  
• If the form is physically taken to the IRS, the nearest office could possibly be many miles away.  There can also be a 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 completely processed.
• The IRS will then review the Form 2290 and when it is verified, they will stamp it, and return a portion of the form to the taxpayer.  

A Stamped Schedule 1 is required in order to register a vehicle with the DMV.  So it can be a very stressful process to wait until the last minute to register your vehicle because you are waiting for the IRS to send you a stamped schedule 1.  

Although these may be the traditional ways of getting a Stamped Schedule 1, an easier way has come about in recent years.  E-Filing has become very practical, as well as more efficient.  A leading provider of this online service is www.ExpressTruckTax.com.  Instead of waiting in the IRS office for hours, or up to 6 weeks for the IRS to stamp your schedule 1 via postal mail, Express Truck Tax will get your Schedule 1 stamped in minutes.  When you login to the site, you can enter the information for the Form 2290, and Express Truck Tax will then create a Schedule 1 based on that information.  That form will be sent to the IRS electronically, and they will then transmit the stamped Schedule 1 back to Express Truck Tax, who will then automatically email the file to the taxpayer.  This document can also be faxed as well as emailed to the taxpayer as soon as the IRS processes the form.  The final form will include a watermark as well as an IRS E-File logo since the document will not be physically stamped.