Category: Form 2290 Authorized e-file Provider

Make Sure Your 2290 Information Is Safe

Unfortunately, many unscrupulous Form 2290 providers have popped up in recent years. These providers are only interested in copying the work of industry veterans like ExpressTruckTax, i2290, J.J. Keller, 2290Tax, and Comdata and making a quick buck. They have no vested interest in helping American truckers. For more information about these copycats, check out this great article by Overdrive magazine

The main problem is that these new players don’t have the established security workflows of veterans like us. They have not been around long enough to prove that they will protect sensitive all your sensitive business information. 

E-filing your Form 2290 requires a lot of confidential business information to be entered. For instance, your EIN is required on your 2290 and for almost every business-related transaction, including opening business bank accounts, business loans, and credit accounts, and merchant credit card processing accounts. In fact, fraudulent accounts can be opened by identity thieves with nothing more than a business name, address, and EIN.

So how can you be absolutely sure you’re using a trustworthy service to e-file your Form 2290? Well first, we recommend e-filing with established veterans like ExpressTruckTax and others who have been around for over a decade.

But additionally, here are some things to look out for when verifying the legitimacy of a Form 2290 e-file provider (or really any e-file provider).

1. Look for the Authorized IRS E-file Provider Stamp (and listing on the IRS site)

This stamp will appear on the website of all legitimate e-file providers. Period. E-file providers are legally required to have this seal of IRS approval if they file more than 11 forms a year (and who would trust the competency of someone who only files a few forms a year?).

If you do see the IRS stamp on a provider’s website, be sure to check that the e-file provider actually appears in the IRS approved list of 2290 e-filers.

While the IRS authorization process is rigorous, not all e-file providers are created equal.

2. Make sure the website is secure.

In our research, we came across several IRS approved e-file providers whose websites were blocked by our browser for security reasons. It’s essential that e-file providers have a robust system in place to secure and protect your business information. 

3. Check for a physical address listed on the provider’s website (it can often be found under “Contact Us” or “About Us”)

Among the providers listed as IRS approved, many have nothing but a P.O. Box number. Most of the time this means that they don’t care about investing in important things like having an actual office with a physical address and protecting your confidential information. These are often the kind of providers who file your taxes out of their home or garage or from another country. Does anyone really want to trust their taxes with a provider who has nothing but a laptop in their basement?

Be sure to look for actual photos of the team in the “About Us” section of each website. If there’s nothing more than fancy text on the screen, be sure to look elsewhere.

4. Expect real, US-based phone support

Just because the provider is IRS approved, it doesn’t mean that the support staff is based in the United States. There are a number of e-file providers who have small US offices but are actually based out of other countries.

Plus, for small operations, it’s often more economical to outsource phone support to call centers. These phone banks could be located in other countries.

Expect quality US-based phone support from real people. Don’t settle for anything less than the highest quality service when filing your taxes.

5. Check for active social media accounts 

A social media presence is as much a matter of competency as it is of security. If an e-file provider doesn’t have or maintain social media, what does that say about their technical prowess and dedication? It is not difficult to actively update a Facebook or Twitter page once a week.
These are e-file providers after all. They really ought to be tech-savvy enough to update social media if they are sending tax information electronically to the IRS!

And if there’s more than one person behind the operation, there ought to be actual photos or videos of the staff out there on social media.

At the end of the day, treat your business information just like your personal information. Be smart. Be safe. Do your due diligence when e-filing your trucking taxes.

What to Know Before You Choose an HVUT 2290 E-file Provider

Choosing a Form 2290 e-file provider can be difficult. With all the scams out there, we all have to be super careful with our information. But if you follow a few simple rules, you can make sure you’re e-filing safely and efficiently.

When looking for an e-file provider, the checklist below will help you make the right choice. Make sure your provider follows all the rules listed, and if they don’t, find another one that does.

Here’s the checklist your Form 2290 e-file provider should follow:

1. Is Your Form 2290 E-file Provider Authorized by the IRS?

First of all, your Form 2290 e-file provider should be IRS authorized. The easiest way to find out whether or not they’re authorized is to check the IRS list of 2290 Modernized e-File (MEF) Providers. 

Here at ExpressTruckTax, we have an excellent relationship with the IRS. In fact, our programmers have years of experience building backend systems for them. And we still work closely with the IRS to make sure our software reflects the most current e-filing requirements. 

2. How Do They Send Your Return to the IRS?

Next, you need to know how your e-file provider will send your return to the IRS. Do they mail it? Send it directly? How does it get from point A to point B for successful e-filing?

At ExpressTruckTax, we transmit your HVUT return electronically to the IRS for you. That way there are no long wait times for snail mail. The whole process is secure, and your return reaches the IRS in a matter of seconds.

3. How Do You Get Your Stamped Schedule 1?

Getting your Stamped 2290 Schedule 1 is important. You need a stamped Schedule 1 as your proof of filing so you can renew your heavy vehicle registration. So you need to know how your e-file provider will transmit this form to you. Will they mail it, or will they send it electronically?

With ExpressTruckTax, you will get your IRS watermarked 2290 Schedule 1 by e-mail as soon as the IRS accepts your return! Plus, we can fax it to you, send you a notification via text, and even email it to your carrier. And to top it all off, if you need a physical copy sent by mail, we can do that too!

Make sure your e-file provider has more than one option for you to receive your Stamped Schedule 1. They should be working for you and not the other way around.

4. Does Your 2290 E-file Provider Offer USA-Based Support?

You definitely want your e-file provider to offer US-Based support. Sometimes you need your questions answered immediately.

At ExpressTruckTax, our bilingual support team is legendary. They’re here all year round to help you. We don’t believe in “seasonal support,” we believe in having people who can answer your questions about HVUT from tax season to tax season.

And to make things even easier, we offer 24/7 emergency email support. 

ExpressTruckTax

As you can tell, we are proud to say that ExpressTruckTax is one of the few e-file providers that meet every specification on this list. And we’re partnered with some of the largest trucking associations and companies in the nation.

If you need any help with the e-file process, then our dedicated support team is always here for you. All you have to do is 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 remember there’s less than a month left to e-file before penalties. So don’t delay, e-file today!

How to Choose a Service Provider for Form 2290?

If you are required to file HVUT, or Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, then you are familiar with the IRS Form 2290.  If you have been paying these taxes for many years, then you likely to be more familiar with the process for paper filing. However, there have been some huge technology advances in the past few years and the IRS does now accept and encourage taxpayers to E-File their 2290 Form.  

There are several online service providers for the IRS Form 2290, and you 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, make sure that they can handle all of your truck tax needs, and it is best to find 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.

The benefits of a web-based system are many. If the system is not web based, then there is less reason to use them.  The IRS recommends E-Filing because of it’s speed and security. If you are required to download lots of files and store information on your computer, your 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. It 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. If you need any help, you can also contact their wonderful, Customer support team!  They offer live chat & phone support Mon-Fri, as well as email support 24/7.