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.

Form 2290 will not be mailed by Internal Revenue Service this year

The Internal Revenue Service recently announced that they will not be mailing the Form 2290 for filing Heavy Vehicle Use Tax to taxpayers this year. This step was taken due to the increase in electronic filing (E-Filing). This is also the way the IRS encourages more drivers and trucking companies to file electronically. They are pushing them out of the nest (so to speak) of paper filing, so that they can learn how to E-File (and fly).  The IRS does have legitimate reason to do this because filing electronically really is the quickest, easiest, and safest way to file.  It also costs the IRS less money to process electronic returns, which means that our government can be more efficient.

Fortunately, it has recently become incredibly simple to E-File IRS Form 2290 or other tax forms related to the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) such as Form 8849. All you need to do is go to www.ExpressTruckTax.com and start filing. You can file a Schedule 1 for Form 2290, Form
8849, A VIN Correction, and Fuel Tax (IFTA).  

This easy-to-use system allows the taxpayer to go through the process at their own speed and it asks questions in plain English, not confusing tax jargon. There are even special discounts for Owner-Operators who need to file for multiple vehicles. Tax Professionals may also benefit from special pricing for multiple filings.  

Even if you still need help filing your Truck Taxes, Express Truck Tax has an excellent team of customer service professionals who will help you file your return quickly and painlessly..

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.

IRS Payment of HVUT (IRS Form 2290)

If you owe taxes for filing your IRS Form 2290 through ExpressTruckTax.com there are several payment methods currently accepted by the IRS.  These include: Electronic Funds Withdrawal, EFTPS, or Check or Money Order

If You choose to pay by Electronic Funds Withdrawal, you may pay using either a checking or Savings Account.  You will need to enter the US Bank Account Number and Routing Number in order for the IRS to process the payment.  This information is typically listed on a check.

EFTPS, or Electronic Federal Tax Payment System, is a government website that allows taxpayers to schedule Federal Tax Payments electronically.  In order to make payments using EFTPS.gov you must complete the EFTPS registration process, which can take 5-7 business days.

Lastly, you may pay by mailing a check or money order to the IRS. If mailing your payment, you must include the 2290V, or payment voucher, with your payment. You may download a completed 2290V, including mailing instructions, directly from your ExpressTruckTax account.

Credits for Sold/ Destroyed/ Stolen Vehicles (Internal Revenue Service Form 2290)

You may be surprised to know that you can actually E-File an IRS Form 2290 to claim a credit for your Heavy Vehicles in some specific scenarios.  If a vehicle falls into this particular category, it is referred to as a “Credit Vehicle.”  ExpressTruckTax.com allows you to E-File an IRS Form 2290 for these credit vehicles through its tax program.  

Heavy Highway Motor Vehicles that were stolen, destroyed, or sold before June 1st and were not used during the rest of the year qualify as a credit vehicle.  A heavy vehicle also qualifies as a credit vehicle if it was used for 5,000 miles or less, or 7,500 miles or less if it was used for agricultural use.  It is important to also note that a credit, lower tax rate, exemption, or refund is not allowed for an occasional light or decreased load; nor is it allowed for a changed use of the vehicle, or if the vehicle was discontinued.

While the rules that apply to credit vehicles may be confusing and complicated, ExpressTruckTax.com helps make this process simple.  The filing process only takes a few minutes.  If you need any help, their dedicated customer support team can help walk you through the process.

What Do I Need to E-File IRS Form 2290?

As you may know, the New Tax period for filing IRS Form 2290 for HVUT (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax) begins on July 1st.

As you may know, it is now possible to E-File your 2290 from your own computer quickly, easily, and securely.

If you have not ever E-Filed a tax return before, there is no need to worry. The E-Filing process is actually easier than paper filing. We at ExpressTruckTax.com also have a dedicated team of customer support professionals available to help you over the phone, email, or online chat (available in English or Spanish).  All you need to File this IRS Form is your EIN (Employee Identification Number), Address, Phone Number, VIN’s (Vehicle Identification Numbers), and Gross Vehicle Weight and our program will take care of the rest.

There have also been a few changes this year in the filing process.  The IRS will no longer be mailing out paper forms to drivers.  This a very significant change, because you will not be able to rely on the IRS to send you the Form to remind you to file. This year, no one will receive that form via postal mail.  The IRS Form 2290 is due between July 1, 2011 - August 31, 2011.  If you E-File with ExpressTruckTax.com you will receive email reminders each yearso that we can keep you informed even though the IRS may not.

Filing a Form 2290 does not need to slow you down. If you use ExpressTrucktax.com your filing process can be as quick as just a few minutes!  That sure beats driving to the IRS office.

Express Truck Tax offers a Simple way to File IRS Form 2290; HVUT Taxes

Express Truck Tax continues to be an Industry Leader in Innovation and New Technologies.

In preparation for the upcoming 2011 - 2012 tax period, Express Truck Tax has announced the simplest, most secure, and most economical way to file IRS Form 2290 (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax).

Since the introduction of E-Filing Form 2290 in 2007, taxpayers with 25 or more reportable heavy vehicles have been required to electronically file with the IRS. This primarily includes larger trucking companies. Unlike most HVUT E-File providers who have historically targeted only large trucking companies, Express Truck Taxspecializes in serving owner operators and small trucking companies.

These owner operators and small trucking companies benefit from the most affordable pricing in the industry. The US-based company, Express Truck Tax, allows users to file an IRS Form 2290 for as little as $9.90; the industry average for this service consistently averages about $30 for a single vehicle filing.

Express Truck Tax also uses the most practical and understandable language throughout the filing process. Instead of using an enormous form with confusing tax jargon, each part has been broken down into easy to understand sections. There are even help videos and text on each page to guide the user through the process. There is also free phone and chat support, as well as 24/7 email support for any questions along the way.

The simplification of this process has caused a surge in small trucking companies across North America to begin E-Filing their Form 2290 with Express Truck Tax. "We knew we had a good idea," said Charles Hardy, Communications Director with Express Truck Tax, "but we never expected this kind of response. [The response] has been fantastic."

Last month, Express Truck Tax became the first authorized HVUT E-File provider to offer complete service and support in Spanish. In addition to integrating the Spanish-language option into their current E-filing system (http://www.ExpressTruckTax.com), ExpressTruckTax has also released a new website (http://www.Forma2290.com) exclusively for Spanish speaking taxpayers who need to file HVUT returns. “In previous years, the Hispanic trucking community has generally been under-served,” said Moises Mejia, Director of Spanish Services with ExpressTruckTax. “While HVUT E-filing has been available since 2007, no provider has ever offered those services in Spanish - until now."

James Harris, Director of Tax Products with Express Truck Tax, also commented on the significance of the Hispanic trucking community: "Reports show that one in seven long haul drivers speak Spanish as their primary language, and that number is expected to rise." To support the additional Spanish-speaking taxpayers, Express Truck Tax has added more staff to their support center in Rock Hill, South Carolina. All support functions, including phone, email, and live chat support, will be available in both English and Spanish.

These are just a few examples of how Express Truck Tax has been an industry leader when it comes to innovation and new technology within this industry. There have been many other accomplishments that could also be mentioned here, such as the fact that Express Truck Tax was also the first to introduce Free VIN corrections, and also the ability to directly email the Schedule 1 to the leasing company.

Express Truck Tax also offers many other useful features for those in the trucking industry such as the ability to download a copy of the E-Filed 2290, Schedule 1 Form, and payment vouchers. Preparing IFTA returns can also be done online with Express Truck Tax. State IFTA returns can be automatically generated online with some useful features such as free online trip sheets, an abnormal MPG audit, and a state adjacency check to help boost information accuracy and avoid an audit. James Harris, Director of Tax Products with Express Truck Tax, is looking forward to the new tax period with much anticipation: "We at Express Truck Tax would like to wish all those in the trucking industry a safe and prosperous year. We look forward to working with so many great individuals again during this tax period."