Category: Form 2290 E-file

If You First Used A Truck In August, the Deadline To File Form 2290 Is Almost Here!

Did you get a new truck in August? Was August the first time you started driving a new truck? 

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, then you need to file Form 2290 with the new vehicle’s VIN by September 30th.

Even though you’re still getting used to your new truck, it’s important that you remember to file the Form 2290 for it before the deadline to ensure it has a valid stamped Schedule 1 and to avoid late penalties issued by the IRS!

What does ‘First Used Month’ mean?

The First Used Month (FUM) refers to the first month the truck was used on a public road during the current tax year. The Form 2290 and HVUT payment are always due at the end of the following month after the vehicle was first used. 

The chart below shows what your filing deadline will be based on the First Used Month of your truck:

What happens if it’s late? 

If your Form 2290 is filed after the deadline, the IRS will issue hefty penalties that will incur until it is filed and paid. 

If you do not file the Form 2290 before September 30th, you will be issued these penalties, plus additional interest from the IRS. The penalty for late filing will be equal to 4.5% of your owed tax amount and will incur every month it is late.

Please note that, even if you are unable to make the HVUT payment at this time, it is important to at least file before the deadline. The penalties won’t be as great if, at least, the Form 2290 is filed on time.

File Your Form 2290 Now!

E-filing your Form 2290 with ExpresstruckTax is a quick and simple process! When filing online with ExpressTruckTax, you will have access to the market-leading e-filing program along with multiple features to help make filing easy!

When you file with ExpresstruckTax, you will receive your stamped Schedule 1 within minutes after submission! 

Go to ExpressTruckTax to file now! If you have any questions or are in need of assistance, call our customer support team at 704.234.6005! They are always happy to help!

What is Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (Form 2290) used for?

The heavy vehicle use tax or HVUT is an annual fee assessed on heavy vehicles operating on public highways at registered gross weights equal to or exceeding 55,000 pounds. The gross taxable weight of a vehicle is determined by adding the unloaded weight of the motor vehicle and any trailers together with the maximum load customarily carried on-road by the truck-trailer combination. IRS Form 2290 is filed annually to pay the HVUT due on the taxable vehicle and proof of payment is the Stamped Schedule 1.
The damage to the road surface caused by heavy trucks is 160,000 times more than that of a car, according to the findings of the American Association of State Highways Official (AASHO) road test. The tax, which is based on the vehicle weight, is a significant source of transportation funding in the US. The HVUT ensures that operators of heavy trucks pay a little more for the highway network relative to the motorists than the light trucks who meet their responsibility through other forms of taxes (e.g., registration fees, motor fuel taxes) but do less damage to the system. The monies collected are used to help pay for road repairs and maintenance.
The IRS has simplified the process of filing Form 2290 and paying your HVUT taxes with the ability to E-File.  Anyone who is filing a return with 25 or more vehicles is required to file electronically, but everyone is encouraged to do so. Through an IRS Authorized E-File Provider, like ExpressTruckTax.com, you can file your Form 2290, pay your HVUT taxes owed to the IRS and receive your Stamped Schedule 1 within minutes.  Having the option to E-File makes the annual filing process quick and easy.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Truck Tax Team at 704.234.6005 or email us at support@expresstrucktax.com.

Form 2290 VIN Number Corrections Are Free at ExpressTruckTax.com


It is always important to be extra careful when filing Form 2290 with the IRS. A small mistake could end up costing you more money or risking an IRS audit. However, if you E-File the IRS HVUT Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes through ExpressTruckTax.com, you have the ability to resubmit it until it is accepted at no extra charge. Likewise, if a mistake is made while entering the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, a VIN Correction can also be E-Filed for free.

Hassle-free VIN number corrections found exclusively at ExpressTruckTax.  Regardless of how you originally filed your Form 2290 return, you can E-File your VIN correction with ExpressTruckTax.com for FREE with  just a few clicks and get your new IRS Stamped Schedule 1 back within minutes.

To start a VIN Correction you will create a new return, choose 2290 amendment and then choose VIN Correction.  The filing process is simple, takes only minutes and is 100% free.  We at ExpressTruckTax.com are here to get you back on the road as quickly and easily as possible.

Filing IRS HVUT Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax

Filing Form 2290 online is very simple through ExpressTruckTax.com – An IRS Authorized E-File provider. All that is needed is basic information about the vehicle such as its first use month, taxable gross weight, and VIN. All taxable highway motor vehicles must file this form.

You may be asking yourself, what does the IRS consider to be a taxable highway motor vehicle? Well, the IRS considers Highway Motor Vehicles to be taxable if it is a self-propelled vehicle that is designed to transport a load over public highways. Such vehicles may include trucks, truck tractors, and even buses. The IRS does not usually consider vehicles like vans, pickup trucks, panel trucks, or other similar vehicles because they typically weigh less than 55,000 pounds.
The HVUT rates for these vehicles are broken down into 3 categories. Vehicles that are less than 55,000 pounds do not have HVUT because they do not qualify as a heavy vehicle. Vehicles between 55,000 and 75,000 pounds owe $100, plus $22 per 1,000 pounds over 55,000 pounds. And last but not least, for vehicles that weigh over 75,000 pounds the maximum HVUT is $550 annually.
www.ExpressTruckTax.com allows you to fill out your IRS Form 2290 online and send it to the IRS electronically! This way you can get a stamped schedule 1 in about 10 minutes. Express Truck Tax is authorized by the IRS to E-File Form 2290. The taxpayer will then receive the schedule 1 via email or fax as soon as the IRS processes the form. The form will then be watermarked by the IRS instead of an actual physical stamp. Be sure to get this taken care of soon because the due date for all vehicles.

IRS is shut down for year end maintenance

Due to year end system maintenance, the IRS will not be accepting efiled 2290 or 8849 forms from December 27th (10:00am EST) until January 9th (9:00am EST). During this time, you will not be able to eFile your Form 2290 and get your Schedule 1 in minutes. Please click here for IRS notice about the shut down.
While the IRS Efile System is shut down we are offering another method to file your Form 2290 and obtain your Stamped Schedule 1. Please call our support team at 704-234-6005 or support@expresstrucktax.com as soon as possible to take care of your filing.

All About IRS Form 2290 (Truck Taxes)

What Is IRS Form 2290?
IRS Form 2290 exists as a way to pay Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes, or HVUT, which must be filed with the IRS for any highway motor vehicle that exceeds a gross weight of 55,000 pounds. IRS Form 2290 also includes what is known as a Schedule 1, which is used to report all vehicles for which you are reporting tax (including an increase in taxable gross weight) and those that you are reporting suspension of the tax by category and vehicle identification number (VIN). The Schedule 1 may also be used as proof of payment to register your vehicle in any state. Use the stamped Schedule 1 that was returned to you by the IRS for this purpose.

Who Must File?
You must file a Form 2290 and Schedule 1 for the tax period beginning on July 1st, and ending on June 30th, if a highway motor vehicle is registered, or required to be registered, in your name under state, District of Columbia, Canadian, or Mexican law at the time of its first use during the period and the vehicle has a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Any type of business entity may file a Form 2290 with the IRS.

How much is the Tax?
There are three different categories for HVUT rates for these vehicles. Vehicles Below 55,000 pounds do not have HVUT because they do not qualify as a heavy vehicle. Vehicles between 55,000 and 75,000 pounds owe $100, plus $22 per 1,000 pounds over 55,000 pounds. Finally, for vehicles that are over 75,000 pounds the maximum HVUT is $550 per year.

The gross taxable weight is calculated by adding the following:

  • Unloaded weight of vehicle, fully equipped for service.
  • Unloaded weight of any trailers equipped for service and customarily used in combination with the vehicle
  • Weight of the maximum load customarily carried on the vehicle and on any trailers customarily used in combination with the vehicle.

Who is Exempt?
Although it is rare, some Vehicles that fit the above description may be exempt from the HVUT and Filing requirements of Form 2290. To officially be exempt from filing Form 2290, the vehicle must be owned and operated by the following:

  • The Federal Government
  • The District of Columbia
  • state or local government
  • American National Red Cross
  • Non-Profit Volunteer Fire Department, Ambulance Association, or Rescue Squad
  • Indian Tribe Government (Only if the Vehicle is Used for essential Tribe or Government Function)
  • Mass Transportation Authority (Only if granted certain powers normally exercised by the state)
  • Qualified Blood Collector Vehicles
  • Mobile Machinery that meets specifications for a chassis

There are several providers of services that can help you E-File Form 2290 with the IRS, one such provider is www.expresstrucktax.com. They provide a very excellent service for all Truck Tax Needs.

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.

Obama Supports Transportation Bill to Save Jobs

President Barack Obama has once again urged Congress once more to extend the transportation bill, following a jobs report that was not very flattering of the American economy.  This message served as a warning that letting the current transportation bill expire would be an economic disaster that could be easily avoided.

Obama focused on the amount of jobs that would be furloughed and eventually removed if a decision could not be made in Congress. “Right away, over 4,000 workers would be furloughed without pay. If it’s delayed for just 10 days, we will lose nearly $1 billion in highway funding that we can never get back. And if we wait even longer, almost 1 million workers could be in danger of losing their jobs over the next year.” These jobs are literally left in the hands of Congress.  They can choose to extend the bill, or create a more long term solution, but action needs to be made regardless.

President Obama made a speech from the White House’s 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.”

In his recent address, the president reiterated that thousands of workers and their families would be hurt if infrastructure projects like highway construction, bridge repair and mass transit systems were put on hold. Obama has previously spoken about renewing the transportation bill as a “no-brainer.” It is also important to note that Congress has renewed the bill seven times in the last two years, and as badly as Americans need jobs, not renewing it this time would be a grave mistake. Nonetheless, a new and sustainable bill would be the best option.

“But thanks to political posturing in Washington, they haven’t been able to extend it this time — and the clock is running out,” he said. Virginia, Minnesota and Florida are examples of states that have thousands of jobs on the chopping block, and the President argued that the decision to let the bill expire is “completely avoidable.”

“This isn’t a Democratic or a Republican issue — it’s an American issue,” he said. The president also mentioned that a group of 128 Democratic and Republican mayors have written to Congress, urging their representatives to pass the extension.

Obama also added a statement that nicely summarizes the heart of the issue: “There’s a lot of talk in Washington these days about creating jobs. But it doesn’t help when those same folks turn around and risk losing hundreds of thousands of jobs just because of political gamesmanship. We need to pass this transportation bill and put people to work rebuilding America.”

To see a video of Obama’s address urging the passage of the bill, you can check it out here. This Information has been provided by the Truck Tax Team at www.ExpressTruckTax.com.

Be Ready to File Form 2290 for Heavy Highway Vehicles

As the month of November moves closer and closer, you will want to be able to get your Form 2290 taken care of as swiftly as possible once it is made available. It is unfortunate enough that the filing process was delayed, but to avoid any future confusion about the issue, it would be beneficial to be ready to file once the form is available.

In order to make the filing process easier with the IRS using Form 2290, it is very important that you keep accurate records, just like you would when filing any other type of tax return. It is crucial for anyone filing form 2290 to maintain their records for at least 3 years prior to the filing date for any taxable highway vehicles registered to them. For fleet owners and small trucking companies who have filed form 2290 in the past, it is wise to always keep the 2290 records on hand, as one never knows when IRS inspection may take place. It is even important to save these returns if they are only for a part of a year. In the case of a suspended vehicle (public highway use was less than 5,000 miles/year) it is still necessary to keep records of Form 2290’s filed for them as well.

You will need to gather the following information before filing form 2290 to accelerate the filing process. You will need a description of all vehicles for which you are filing as well as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for each one. You will also need to know the gross taxable weight of the vehicle.  It is also necessary to report the date the vehicle was acquired, as well as the name and address of the previous owner. The first use month for the taxable period is also required for reporting. If a vehicle is considered to be suspended, keep a record of actual highway mileage. If the vehicle is an agricultural vehicle, then keep accurate records of the number of miles it is driven on a farm or field. Keeping proper records of your 2290 information will be a great help to you in the unfortunate event of an audit.  It will also make the task of filing this form much easier.

ExpressTruckTax.com is an IRS authorized E-File provider who can help you file form 2290 as well as keep secure online records of previously filed form 2290’s. For more information on the 2290 filing process, heavy vehicle use tax, IRS payment methods, etc 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.