Category: EIN

What You Need To Know About EIN On Form 2290

Hey, it’s Amber from ExpressTruckTax, and today we are going to talk about EIN, which is the Employer Identification Number.

So, we’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about how long does it take a new EIN to become active in the IRS system, and that is a super, super good question because sometimes it can take two weeks, sometimes it can take four weeks.

It really just depends on how quickly the IRS is batching those applications and entering them into their system. So, when you apply for a new EIN, you enter in the information on the IRS website, and you automatically get the EIN, right? You get a PDF, and it shows you your new EIN. Your SS4 is the actual documentation, and for several things, you can use that number right away.

So, for example, if you’re going to go open a bank account for your business, you can use that new EIN right away. However, in order to e-file, you have to wait until the IRS puts that number into their system because when you e-file a tax form, the form that you fill out on ExpressTruckTax gets sent to the IRS, and they have to have something to match that up to you, and they use the EIN for that.

So, if they haven’t put it into their system yet, your return basically gets rejected because there’s nothing to match it in the IRS system. When you’re filing your 2290 on ExpressTruckTax.com, you can go ahead and file the return. It’s going to be rejected, and the reason it’s rejected is it says your business name and the EIN don’t match. That is the IRS code to say the EIN is not in the system yet.

So, what we encourage you to do is to re-transmit that return. You don’t have to pay again for it. You just come back into your account and re-transmit it to the IRS once a day. And if it’s rejected one time, it’s going to be rejected all day that day because the IRS doesn’t update their system but one time a day.

So, when you re-transmit your return, it’ll be rejected until the number is in their system. However, once the number is in their system, your return will be either accepted or rejected again. If there’s something else wrong with it, it might be rejected again. You might have to fix something else on it, but if everything matches, your return will be accepted, and you’ll receive your stamped schedule one in the future. Once your EIN is active, your 2290s will go through the system and will be accepted within minutes.

So, this waiting period is only once, only for new EINs, or if you go and you change the information on your EIN again. You’ve got to kind of go through that waiting period again, but once it’s in the IRS system, and you transmit your 2290, you get your answer back within minutes, which is again why we suggest for you to use ExpressTruckTax because we have been in the industry for over 13 years, and we work directly with the IRS.

We’re US-based, and so your information is secure with ExpressTruckTax, and we get your stamp schedule one accepted quickly. And then again, if you are leased to a company, I know a lot of times we hear questions about, “Oh, I’m going to orientation, and they want me to bring my 2290,” yet you don’t even have an EIN yet.

So, that kind of throws a wrench into your schedule when you have to get an EIN, and then you have to wait 10-15 business days (two weeks-four weeks, just depends) to get your 2290 to take with you to orientation.

So, if you are new to trucking and you’re watching this video, first of all, welcome to a wonderful industry. I love the trucking industry. Number two, go get your EIN now. I don’t care if you’re leasing onto a company, I don’t care if you’re going to be a company driver. It’s free to get. And then if you ever change your mind and you want to go lease onto a company or you want to go out on your own, you already have it. You don’t have to wait for it to be put into the IRS system when you’re wasting valuable time.

So, if you’re new to the industry, go get your EIN. We have videos about that. You can also look on the IRS website of how to set up an EIN, but you want to make sure you’re setting it up correctly because you don’t want to have to go back and change it later. But go get an EIN now so that if you do change how you want to do business, you don’t have to wait on this piece of paperwork.

Basically, again, go file your Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax. We are the number one IRS-authorized e-file provider for the trucking industry for over 13 years, and if you do have any further questions, we have a full support team Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can email us at support@ExpressTruckTax.com or give us a call at 704-234-6005.

FAQ Friday: Form 2290 and EINs

What is Form 2290?

Form 2290 is an IRS tax form that must be filed annually for vehicles weighing 55,000 pounds or more for the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. 

What is an EIN?

EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. It is a unique nine-digit number that the IRS assigns to businesses operating in the United States for the purpose of identification and keeping track of business tax records.  

Do you need an EIN to e-file Form 2290?

In order to e-file Form 2290, you need to provide your EIN number. You are unable to e-file Form 2290 with an SSN (Social Security Number).

What should you do if you do not have an EIN?

If you do not have an EIN number and need to e-file Form 2290 you are able to apply for one online or over the phone by contacting the IRS. Once the IRS processes your request, you will receive your EIN. Please note that since the COVID-19 pandemic, it may take up to 2 to 4 weeks for your EIN to become active in the IRS e-filing system. You are also able to apply for an EIN by contacting our sister product TSNAmerica over the phone at 877-520-8640. The IRS will reject your Form 2290 if your EIN doesn’t match IRS records or if it is not yet active in the e-filing system. If your Form 2290 is rejected because your EIN is new, you are able to retransmit your Form 2290 once a day until it is accepted at no additional cost. 

What if you have multiple EINs?

Each business is assigned one EIN number. Make sure to check the documents provided by the IRS when you applied for your EIN in order to find the correct EIN that corresponds with the business you are filing for. If your EIN is wrong, your Form 2290 will be rejected by the IRS.

What if you e-filed Form 2290 with the wrong EIN?

If you e-file Form 2290 and make any mistakes when entering your EIN, the IRS will reject your return. You can then retransmit your EIN with the correct EIN. If you handle multiple businesses however and use the EIN for a different business by mistake, there is a chance the IRS will not reject your Form 2290. In this case, you will need to e-file a new Form 2290 with the correct EIN and then e-file Form 8849. You will need to provide a detailed explanation as to why you are filing Form 8849 so that you can get a refund for the original filing.

Why e-file with ExpressTax?

ExpressTruckTax is an easy-to-use Form 2290 IRS-approved e-file provider. You are able to e-file your Form 2290 in just a few minutes by providing your EIN, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), credit vehicles you plan to claim if any, and your payment information. You are also able to pay your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax directly alongside your filing fee with ExpressTruckTax. ExpressTruckTax is here to help if you have any questions about your filing and if you need a new EIN, don’t hesitate to contact our sister company TSNAmerica. What are you waiting for? E-file your Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax now for a stress-free and easy filing experience! 

Do You Need To File Form 2290?

If you’re new to trucking, the numbers used for necessary forms may be a bit overwhelming. There’s the 2290s, 8849s, 4868s, 1099s, and 123s. Okay.. we might be exaggerating with the 123s, but you get the gist, it’s a lot of forms and a lot of numbers to remember. We won’t bore you and got through each form 1 by 1, but we will tell you about the two most relevant ones for this filing period.

What is Form 2290?

The form that you have probably heard the most about, as of late, is Form 2290. What is Form 2290, and how does it relate to you, if at all?!

Form 2290 is used to figure and pay the tax due on highway motor vehicles used. Your next question is probably does it even apply to you, and the answer is it might. All vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more than travel by highway is required to file a Form 2290.

After paying taxes you will be given a Stamped Schedule 1 that serves as proof of payment from the IRS. This document is important, as it is needed in order to register your commercial vehicle.

Do You Need to File Form 8849?

There are exemptions and claim suspensions that apply to some vehicles meeting certain requirements. The requirements are as follows:

  • The vehicle used 5,000 highway miles or less during the period.
  • The vehicle is an agricultural vehicle and used 7,500 miles or less during the period.
  • The Vehicle was stolen during the period
  • The vehicle was destroyed during the period
  • The vehicle was sold during the period

The above list leads us to the importance of Form 8849. If any of the above is true about a vehicle you own/owned then you must first file a Form 2290, pay the correct amount of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) and then complete the Form 8849.

Claims and Refunds

In order to claim credits or refunds for vehicles stolen, destroyed, sold, or only used for 5,000 miles or less and 7,500 miles or less for agricultural vehicles, the Form 8849 is required. The

things you’ll need to file a Form 8849 are your name, address, details on the vehicle you are seeking a claim/refund for and your Employee Identification Number (EIN). Be sure to double check that the EIN you are using is consistent with what the IRS has on file.

*If an EIN is needed you are able to apply for one online with the IRS.

File With ExpressTruckTax

The great thing about ExpressTruckTax is that it makes all of your Form 2290 filing simpler. It even gives you a chance to auto-generate a Form 8849 if you are in need of one for the current filing period.

Don’t Let Your HVUT 2290 Form Get Rejected

ExpressTruckTax knows you need an EIN to file Form 2290

Whenever your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is due you definitely want to get it in by the deadline to avoid penalties. However, part of making the deadline in time is correctly filing, so your form isn’t rejected.

If your Form 2290 is rejected it’s up to you to file corrections and resubmit it to the IRS by the deadline! If you wait too close to the deadline to file then you might not have time to correct it! So, let’s get your form accepted the first time around. Check out why Form 2290s get rejected so you can avoid making the same mistake.

Why Form 2290s Are Rejected

You Need An EIN To File

You are required to provide an EIN (Employer Identification Number) on your 2290 Form to complete it. An EIN is used to identify your business, so it’s different from your social security number (SSN), which is used to identify you as a person.

You can’t use your SSN in place of your EIN on your Form 2290 or it will instantly be rejected. If you do not have an EIN you can apply for one with the IRS online for free. Just keep in mind that when you apply you will instantly receive your EIN, but it takes at least 2 weeks to become updated in the IRS’s system and your form may get rejected during that time.

Your EIN Needs To Match

The IRS will be checking to see if your information on your Form 2290 matches what the IRS has on file. They will be taking an extra close look to make sure that your EIN matches your business name. If this information doesn’t match then your form could be rejected.

Before you file your Form 2290 you can call the IRS at 1-888-829-4933 to make sure your information matches what they have on file.

Duplicates Are Rejected

During each HVUT period, each VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can only be filed for once. Make sure you carefully enter your VIN on your form so it’s error free. If it matches another VIN by mistake your form will be rejected. If you enter the incorrect VIN, don’t worry. You can quickly correct it for free with ExpressTruckTax.

Easily file and correct HVUT Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax

Also, make sure that you aren’t filing for the previous tax period because that would make your form a duplicate. The current HVUT tax period runs from July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018.

The IRS Needs Their Money

Unfortunately, when filing Form 2290 you have to pay the amount of HVUT you owe to the IRS. When e-filing you can pay the IRS through direct debit or electronic funds withdrawal. In order to do so, you must provide your bank account number and routing transfer number (RTN).

If you enter these numbers incorrectly, with even just one number off, the IRS will not be able to retrieve funds from your account and your Form 2290 will be rejected. This information can be found on one of your checks.

Your form will also be rejected if your account doesn’t have enough funds to cover the amount you owe. If your form is rejected due to having the wrong RTN you can edit your form. If you have insufficient funds in your account you can choose a different payment method.

ExpressTruckTax Can Help

After quickly and easily e-filing your HVUT Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax, you will be notified via email if your form has been rejected. You can then use our step-by-step instructions to edit your form and retransmit it to the IRS as many times as necessary. Plus, our outstanding, US-based support team is also standing by to help.

2290s And EINs: Everything You Need To Know

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax season is coming right at us at full speed! You can try to jump out of the way, but you’ll still need to file your Form 2290 by the August 31st deadline. Don’t let the deadline run you over. Be prepared and file as soon as possible to avoid having your form rejected. For example, it’s very important to know that you’re required to have an EIN.

What to Remember About Your EIN?

Your EIN or your Employer Identification Number is also known as the Federal Tax Identification Number and the Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN. EINs are assigned to businesses operating in the United States in order to identify them for tax reporting purposes. Each EIN consists of a unique 9 digit number.

This is important because you are required by the IRS to have an EIN to complete your 2290. They need it to identify you to correctly verify that you’re filing for yourself and to prevent fraud.

There may be some confusion when it comes to EINs and Social Security Numbers (SSN) because they’re both 9 digit identification codes. However, EINs are used to identify businesses, and social security numbers are used to identify individuals. Also, the IRS used to accept SSNs in place of EINs on Form 2290s, but that is no longer the case. If you use your SSN in the EIN field your form will be rejected.

Also, when it comes to the information on your 2290 such as your business name and address, it will need to match what the IRS has on file or it could be rejected. You can see if your information matches what the IRS has on file by contacting the IRS directly at (800) 829-4933.

If you don’t have an EIN you can apply for online for free with the IRS here. Once you finish applying you will instantly receive your 9 digit EIN, but please keep in mind that it will take about 15 days for your EIN to update in the IRS’s system and your 2290 could be rejected during this time.

Each EIN is is a unique code that never expires. However, as a sole proprietor you may need a new EIN if you’re subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, you incorporate, you take in new partners and operate as a partnership, or you purchase or inherit an existing business. 

How To File Your 2290?

Why wait when you can go ahead and knock out your 2290 today? Go ahead and file online with ExpressTruckTax or the ExpressTruckTax App now. Simply follow the step-by-step filing guide to instantly complete your form. As a result, your Form 2290 will be transmitted directly to the IRS and you’ll get your stamped Schedule 1 in about 15 minutes.

You can also call TSNAmerica at 803.386.0320 to file your Form 2290 today over the phone. Simply give them a call and an outstanding US-based representative will file your 2290 for you! It’s that easy. Plus, you will instantly get a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 via email.

We’re Here To Help

The outstanding ExpressTruckTax team is always standing by to help. Contact us with any questions that you may have over the phone at 704.234.6005 Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST. You can also reach us via live chat and we offer 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com

You have a New EIN? You Might Need Form 8849!

You have a New EIN? You Might Need Form 8849!
You have a New EIN? You Might Need Form 8849!

So you finally did it – you took the plunge and became an LLC, allowing yourself more business protection and earning yourself a new EIN.

Unfortunately, this leads to many unforeseen complications. For example, how do you go about e-filing your 2290’s for your trucks now? Are you just going to go ahead and file anyway?

Unfortunately, you can’t assume everything will be A-OK – you just fundamentally changed how your business is handled by the IRS, and so you will need to account for this with your trucks.

IRS Form 8849

While some people think it’s best to file wait for the new tax period and file Form 2290 when you change your business status, there is another option. You can also file Form 8849, the Claim for Refund of Excise Taxes.

If you’ve sold a vehicle recently and you had already filed Form 2290 Return, you would need to file Form 8849, Schedule 6 in order to claim your credit.

You also need to use Form 8849 if your vehicle was stolen, destroyed, or if Form 2290 was paid and the vehicle was used 5,000 miles or less on public highways (7,500 or less for agricultural vehicles) during the tax period.

New EIN Complications

So what do you do when you become an LLC, and you all of the sudden realize your trucks are still tied to your old EIN?

Once your business name or EIN has changed, then you need to file a new 2290 form and get a prorated refund for the taxes paid under the previous name or EIN. Just e-file a new Form 2290 for all vehicles under this new name or EIN, then e-file a Form 8849 under the old name or EIN to get some of your original filing back.

A lot of our users don’t realize they have to go through this entire process, which is why we’re here laying this out for you!

How Do You File Form 8849?

If your new EIN requires you to file an 8849, you will need your name and address, making sure it is an accurate match to what the IRS has on file.

You will also need your old EIN number, and any other pertinent business details for your old “business.” Finally, you will need the vehicle information you are claiming a refund for.

If you are filing because the vehicle was sold/stolen/destroyed, you will need the date the event occurred.

How Can You File?

Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to e-file Form 8849 – you just have to sign in to ExpressTruckTax, select Start New Return, and then choose Form 8849 Schedule 6.

Then you just follow the step-by-step process to e-file Form 8849, just like you did with Form 2290.

If you have any questions about e-filing Form 8849, you can contact us at 704.234.6005.

3 Reasons Why Your IRS Form 2290 Was Rejected

3 Reasons Why Your IRS Form 2290 Was Rejected
3 Reasons why your IRS Form 2290 was Rejected

Thousands of truckers across the country are getting ready to e-file their Heavy Vehicle Use Tax return Form 2290, hoping to just press transmit and be done with it all.

But what happens when you e-file truck tax Form 2290 only to find out it was later REJECTED by the IRS? The last thing you want to find out is about a rejected 2290 on the truck tax due date!

Thankfully, when you e-file with ExpressTruckTax, you get unlimited re-filing for rejected returns.

Today, we’re going to examine why your 2290 may be rejected.

Rejected Because of EIN

Sometimes, filers will find that their Employer Identification Number is the source of their rejection.

This can sometimes happen if the EIN that you entered doesn’t match the EIN the IRS has on record.

If that’s the case, you need to contact the IRS directly to find out what information they have in their system.

If you have a brand new EIN, it will take on average about 10 business days for the EIN to register in the IRS system for you to e-file.

If you try to e-file your 2290 the same day that you receive your EIN, it will be rejected and the reason will be the “EIN does not match business name”.

After your new EIN is registered in the IRS system, you can simply re-transmit your 2290 return (for free) and it should be accepted as long as there aren’t any more errors.

Rejected Because of Duplicate Filing

Your 2290 can only be accepted by the IRS one time. If you receive this particular rejection, it means your 2290 has already been filed and confirmed by the IRS.

The good part about this rejection, is that it requires no fix because your return has already been filed!

Rejected for Routing Issues

If you face a Routing Transit Number Rejection, it has to do with your payment. If you paid using the Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW) option, a bank routing number is required.

If the wrong information was entered for your routing number, your 2290 will be rejected. You can correct the routing and re-transmit to the IRS and should receive confirmation of acceptance in only a few minutes.

Note: If you entered the incorrect routing number or bank account number and the return is accepted, it is up to you to contact the IRS to resolve the issue. For best practices, always double check your numbers before transmitting your return to the IRS.

Hopefully, you’ll have a good experience e-filing Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290. The deadline is fast approaching, so be ready!

Note: The deadline to e-file Form 2290 online for 2016-2017 is August 31.

If you have any questions about rejected returns, you can reach our customer support experts at 704.234.6005.

What are the Requirements for IRS Form 2290?

Requirements for IRS Form 2290 E File
Requirements for IRS Form 2290 E File

It’s almost truck tax time, Trucking Nation.

Which means you need to know the requirements to e-file IRS Form 2290.

Don’t worry, we have you covered. You simply need your taxable vehicle information, employer ID numbers, and the correct vehicle identification numbers.

Taxable Vehicle Information

What makes a taxable vehicle… taxable? A highway motor vehicle includes any self-propelled vehicle designed to carry a load over public highways and roadways, and can be designed for additional functions, as well.

A vehicle consists of a chassis and body, but excludes the load. No matter what the vehicle is designed for — whether it’s a highway passenger transportation vehicle or a designed special kind of cargo, there will need to be a 2290 filed for it.

Employer ID Numbers

An Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used to identify a business entity. Generally, businesses need an EIN.

You need an EIN to file Form 2290. You can apply online to receive your EIN. If the customer has recently applied and received EIN from the IRS, it takes about 15 days to get into the e-file system. If you e-file your 2290 during this period, the IRS will reject the filing.

Correct Vehicle Identification Numbers

Another important requirement for Form 2290 is your vehicle identification number. Your VIN identifies the individual truck you are e-filing your HVUT 2290 for.

Unfortunately, the VIN is a string of numbers and letters—which means plenty of people get them wrong come tax time! Hey, we can’t blame you.

The good news is, we offer FREE Form 2290 VIN corrections!

When it comes time to e-file, you know that ExpressTruckTax is here for you! We’re ready to help you with our safe, secure software, user friendly features, and our dedicated, US-based customer support team.

Related Blog: 5 Ways to Get Help E-Filing Your 2290

Don’t Get Scammed Getting Your EIN

So you just found out you need an EIN (Employer Identification Number). Maybe you’ve just started a new business, or maybe you need one to file your HVUT. Whatever the reason, you need one, and need it fast. What do you do? There are a few ways to get an EIN, some of them legit, some pretty shady. Let’s take a look at those that are on the up-and-up, and how to spot the scams.

What to Look Out For

First of all, be aware that there are sites out there that give the impression of being part of the IRS, but in reality aren’t. The best way to tell if a site is an IRS affiliated site or not is the tellatale URL irs.gov. An IRS site will have this URL as its base, for example, irs.gov/forms. You can be sure if you see this URL, you are on an official IRS site.

Some websites will play on this and use the word “gov” or “irs” in their website name to give themselves an air of legitimacy. Some of these might be “suchandsuchgov.com,” or “irsexample.com.” If the domain suffix (such as “.com”) is not “.gov” you can be sure that site is not as U.S. Government site. Further, if the site doesn’t have the URL irs.gov as part of its domain name, it’s not an IRS site.

Another telltale sign that a website is not legit is if they charge an outrageous fee in order for you to get an EIN. Some of these websites will charge $200 or $300 or more for this service. In reality, the IRS does not charge a fee at all to those getting an EIN. You can always get your EIN for free from the IRS by filling out their online application.

Do I Have to Do This Myself?

If you don’t have the time or the inclination to apply for an EIN yourself, our sister website Truck Services of North America can secure an EIN for you at a reasonable fee. They’ll do the work for you, and you’ll be secure in the knowledge that you’re getting your EIN through a reputable, secure, IRS-approved website. You can contact them at support@tsnamerica.com, or call them at 803.386.0320.

And if you have any questions or concerns about ExpressTruckTax, feel free to call us at 704.234.6005 or email us at support@expresstrucktax.com.

If you’d like to let us or The Trucking Nation know about your experiences with getting an EIN, tweet at us on Twitter, or post on our Facebook page. As always, your input and feedback are crucial to us providing you with the best service possible.

We don’t want you to pay any more than you need to getting your EIN. Now that you’re informed, you won’t have to.

The Countdown is On: Getting Your EIN

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax season is drawing to a close, Trucking Nation! There’s only a few more days before the deadline and you need to have all your trucks in a row so you can e-file with ease.

The first thing you need in order to e-file your HVUT is your EIN. EIN stands for for Employer Identification Number and it is imperative that you have one before you file.

With only 4 days left to get your 2290s e-filed, it is past time to register for an EIN. Especially since it takes the IRS up to 10 business days for your EIN to become active. Before that your EIN will be rejected by any e-filing system and you will be unable to submit your Form 2290.

While there isn’t enough time for you to get your EIN and still e-file on time, you need to request one right away. Because no matter what you need to e-file! And the sooner you request one, the smaller the penalties.

In order to request your EIN, you can do it one of three ways.

  • You can go directly to the IRS website and request your EIN online
  • You can or call their EIN hotline at 1.800.829.4933, and request your EIN over the phone.
  • Or you can request your EIN through fax or postal mail.

If you don’t have time to get you EIN, or none of those options appeal to you. We have people who can take the reins and do it for you. Not to mention, they’re secure and affordable!

With our friends at Truck Services of North America, you can get your EIN without ever having to lift a finger. Since they specialize in permits, registrations, and helping truckers e-file for just about anything. Just give them a call at 803.386.0320 or email them at support@tsnamerica.com to get started.

If you’ve misplaced your EIN, we can help with that as well!

  1. If you’ve e-filed with us before, your EIN is stored in your account! Just login and view your business details, or a previously filed return and voila, you have your EIN.
  2. If you haven’t e-filed with us before, you can check with the bank or local/state institution you’ve applied for a license with. Both should have your EIN on record.
  3. Or you can always call the IRS hotline at 1.800.829.4933, and they’ll give you the EIN directly over the phone after verifying your identity. 

But whatever you do, don’t wait! You need to request your EIN right away and before it’s too late for you to e-file on time. Don’t pay the IRS more than you have to!

If you need any help with the EIN or e-filing your 2290s, then our dedicated support legends are here for you. Just give them a call at 704.234.6005 or send them an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish. And they’ll help you e-file in a flash!

With only 4 days left you don’t have time to delay, so e-file today!