Category: HVUT

The Countdown Is On! It’s Almost Form 2290 HVUT Deadline Day

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, countdown, deadline, due date, Form, Form 2290, form 2290 due date, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, Mobile App

The Countdown Is On! It’s Almost Form 2290 Deadline Day

We know it’s all we’ve talked about for a while, but the HVUT deadline is kind of a big deal around ExpressTruckTax offices.
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Instead of wasting your time, we’re going to just hit the highlights in this post! The deadline is coming!

The Due Date

Well, we’re almost there. Just a few days until we hit the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 deadline.

So just a reminder once again, the 2290 truck tax due date is August 31st, 2016!

There’s Still Time!

Thankfully, you still have time to e-file truck tax form 2290.

When you go to e-file form 2290 online for 2016-2017, make sure you have access to all of your important records.

If you’re a little unsure about how to file, watch this video:

If you’re going to e-file using our mobile app, here’s what you need to know:

Most importantly, know that we’re here to answer your questions about e-filing Heavy Vehicle Use Tax return Form 2290. If you have any issues e-filing this next week, reach out to us by email at support@ExpressTruckTax.com or by phone at 704.234.6005.

Related Blog: The Due Date Cometh: August 31 is the 2290 Tax Deadline

The Due Date Cometh: August 31 is the 2290 Tax Deadline

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290 forms, deadline, due date, Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, First Used month, Form 2290, form 2290 due, form 2290 due date, HVUT, IRS form 2290 due date, taxation year, trucking

Due Date to File Form 2290 is August 31

With the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 deadline approaching, we decided to break down some of the Form 2290 basics.

First of all, let’s reiterate the 2290 truck tax due date.

The Deadline for Form 2290

The IRS HVUT Form 2290 due date (or) deadline for the 2016-2017 tax year is August 31st, 2016.

When you need to file form 2290 online for 2016-2017, you also need to know your First Used Month.

The First Used Month of Vehicle

The First Used Month is the first month that the vehicle is used in a tax year.

If you have a new vehicle, the first used month is the first month that the vehicle is used in a year.

You need to file your HVUT Form 2290 a month after the first used month. If you bought the truck in February and started using it then, you would need to file your HVUT by the end of March.

Taxation Year

In order to understand how to file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax return Form 2290, you need to comprehend how the HVUT tax year works.

If you have owned your truck for multiple years, July counts as your first used month for subsequent years after the first purchased year.

So when you go to e-file truck tax Form 2290, knowing the little details of your tax filing will make all the difference.

E-filing on the go? Check out the ExpressTruckTax mobile app!

Unsure about your First Used Month still? Contact our expert support team at ExpressTruckTax by calling 704.234.6005.

Related Blog: The Countdown Is On! It’s Almost Form 2290 HVUT Deadline Day

Are There Penalties If I Don’t File Form 2290 HVUT?

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, Federal Heavy Highway Use tax, Form 2290, form 2290 penalty, HVUT, HVUT Penalties, late fees, penalties

Are There Penalties For Not Filing HVUT Form 2290

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 deadline is approaching.

Have no fear, though. You still have plenty of time to file. But what happens if you miss the 2290 truck tax due date?

You may face some penalties if you don’t file Form 2290 online for 2016-2017.

About HVUT Form 2290

The Heavy Vehicle Use Tax is a tax form that is required to be filed by truckers in order to help with the maintenance and upkeep of public roads and highways.

Once a trucker files their Form 2290, they will receive a stamped Schedule 1 which serves as a proof of payment for your taxes.

Why Should You File Form 2290?

You don’t want to get parked, so you need to keep your tax forms up to date!

While tax forms can be irritating, by complying with the tax code you stay on the road, allowing you to earn yourself a living. Can’t argue with that.

The HVUT Penalties for Not Filing and Late Filing

What are the HVUT penalties if you don’t e-file truck tax Form 2290?

The penalty for failing to file IRS HVUT Form 2290 by August 31st is equal to 4.5 percent of the total tax due, assessed on a monthly basis up to five months.

Late filers not making an HVUT payment also face an additional monthly penalty equal to 0.5 percent of total tax due.

There are additional interest charges of 0.54 percent per month that accrue as well.

The 2290 Truck Tax Due Date

The due date for 2016-2017 Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes is August 31st.

How Can We Help?

With live, local customer support offered from our offices in Rock Hill, South Carolina, you know you have a real person ready to answer your questions. Plus, we offer 24/7 email support that you can always seek out in a pinch.

Avoid the deadline and e-file today!

5 Ways to Get Help E-Filing Your 2290

Posted on July 14, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290 help, contact expresstrucktax, e-file 2290, expresstrucktax facebook, expresstrucktax live chat, expresstrucktax twitter, Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT

5 Ways to Get Help E-Filing Your 2290

There’s no escaping it—taxes are difficult. We know it, you know it, your carrier knows it.

But what would you say if we knew a group that doesn’t mind truck taxes. In fact, they spend their day helping truckers e-file their truck taxes!

Sounds ridiculous right? Well, it’s not! Here at ExpressTruckTax, our support experts dedicate their days to answering your e-filing questions. Really, there’s someone available to direct you in the right direction throughout the entire day.

How do we do this? By providing 5 avenues of contact, we’ve made it possible for you to get help for any 2290 questions you may come across.

Call Us on the Phone

Throughout the year, we keep our specialists ready to answer your calls from 9 am to 6 pm. During 2290 peak season, you can probably find someone ready to answer your calls even earlier, and even later.

We do this so that we match your schedule as best as possible!

Best of all, you’ll always talk to a friendly voice located in downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina. There’s something about outsourcing your questions to a call center across the world that just doesn’t sit right with us.

So give us a call at 704.234.6005!

Send Us an Email

Of course, the thought may strike you to e-file your 2290 in the middle of the night. Stranger things have happened!

When you’re sitting up in your sleeper cab, wondering how you can claim a suspended vehicle credit, you know it’s too late to call us.

So you can just send us an email at support@expresstrucktax.com, and we’ll get you a response as soon as possible.

Chat With Us

Maybe you just have a small question, nothing you want to get wrapped up in a conversation about.

There’s a simple solution for that, too.

You can just send us a quick chat via the expresstrucktax website.

In fact, you just gotta click ‘chat with us’, and the chat window will walk you through the rest.

Find Us on Facebook

Sometimes it feels like everybody has Facebook. Not only will you find your friends, but you’ll find kids, grandmothers, heck – even dogs. But most importantly, you’ll find companies like ExpressTruckTax doing what they can from Facebook.

Now, you’re free to comment on our posts with your issues, but you can also send us a message via Facebook as well.

If you have sensitive information you need to share with us, send us a message on Facebook and we will follow up with instructions for a secure, fast, and easy communication.

Hashtag It on Twitter

Sometimes it’s easier to just blast out a tweet. Sure, half the time we’re tweeting about stuff like cats and Taco Tuesday, but Twitter is actually one of the best places to reach a customer representative.

If you have any issues e-filing, send us a tweet at @ExpressTruckTax containing the hashtags #ETTSupport or #ExpressTruckTax, and we’ll get your issue squared away.

So, instead of pulling your hair out over confusing tax forms, try these 5 channels to reach the experts at ExpressTruckTax!

Related Blog: 5 Simple Steps to File Form 2290

What’s the Deal with the Stamped Schedule 1?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290 stamped Schedule 1, e-file 2290, expresstrucktax, Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, Form 2290, HVUT, Proof of 2290 form, Proof of HVUT payment, Schedule 1, stamped Schedule 1

Stamped Schedule 1

When you e-file heavy vehicle use tax, you get your 2290 stamped schedule 1.

But what’s the deal with the stamped schedule 1? We’ll break it down for you.

What is the Stamped Schedule 1?

To put it frankly, the stamped schedule 1 is your Proof of Payment!

If you file by paper with the IRS, you can expect to receive your stamped Schedule 1 within 6 weeks after they receive your form 2290.

How You Get Your Stamped Schedule 1

Once the IRS receives and checks your return with their database, you receive your stamped schedule 1. Your schedule 1 will show an IRS e-file watermark with the date the return was received and processed. Your schedule 1 will be accepted by all DOT’s, DMV’s, and other federal authorities.

We can also send updates about your schedule 1 via text and fax – and we can even notify your company or carrier! ExpressTruckTax automatically emails your stamped schedule 1 to you.

Understanding the Stamped Schedule 1:

First off, how do you know if your stamped Schedule 1 is authentic? Well, the IRS digital e-file watermark tells you everything you need to know!. You can always contact our customer support team if you have questions, though!

When you e-file IRS form 2290, the IRS stamps it with a digital watermark. This digital schedule 1 is your official proof of payment, and all DMV locations are required to accept this document.

Of course, if you have any questions about e-filing and receiving your stamped schedule 1, contact our US-based customer service squad!

What are the Requirements for IRS Form 2290?

Posted on June 21, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, e-Filing, EIN, Employer Identification Number, Form 2290, Form 2290 Online, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, IRS, irs 2290, Vehicle Identification Number, VIN, VIN Corrections

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

Pre-File Heavy Highway Use Tax for 2016-17 with our Mobile App

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, e-file, ExpressTruckTax app, Form 2290, Form 2290 Online, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, IRS, irs 2290, pre-file, pre-file 2290, pre-file form 2290, pre-file irs, Pre-filing, stamped Schedule 1

Pre-File HVUT 2290 from Mobile App

Mobile Filing

Have you met the ExpressTruckTax mobile app? It’s the fastest and easiest way to stay out on the road and e-file Form 2290! The app is available for both iOS and Android, and can even alert you that your return was accepted with a push notification. Check out the ExpressTruckTax Mobile app today!

How Easy is E-Filing Form 2290?

In order to e-file form 2290, you need to follow these four steps. Be warned – they’re super easy.

E Filing Form 2290

Create your account.
Enter your business and truck information.
Transmit to the IRS.
Get your stamped Schedule 1 (it’s your proof of payment).

Whoever said it was difficult to e-file your heavy vehicle use taxes?

What’s up with the Stamped Schedule 1?

When you e-file your 2290 with ExpressTruckTax, the IRS receives your payment and checks your return with their database.

After they receive your 2290, the Schedule 1 will display an IRS e-file watermark with the date the return was received and processed. This will be accepted by all DOT’s, DMV’s, and other federal authorities.

ExpressTruckTax automatically emails your stamped Schedule 1 after the IRS accepts your 2290. We can also send you updates via text and fax–plus we can even notify your company/carrier.

Pre-File 2290 with ExpressTruckTax

How does pre-filing work? Pre-filing works the same way regular e-filing does, except you pre-file your 2290 a whole month early. That means you can e-file for the upcoming tax year in June! That’s a whole month early!

Plus when you pre-file pre-file IRS Form 2290 now, you can still pay later! Pre-filing allows you to find out how much you owe so you can start saving money, then pay your taxes by August 31. Budgeting is awesome.

So don’t put off e-filing your IRS 2290! Instead, let’s work together to pre-file HVUT Form 2290.

Related Blog: Pre-File Your 2290 Now!

ExpressTruckTax Additional Users Feature

Posted on June 15, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - additional users, E-file form 2290, expresstrucktax, Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax, HVUT, multi user access, stamped Schedule 1

ExpressTruckTax Additional Users Feature

Exciting news! ExpressTruckTax now allows account holders the option to share their account with others – with the proper permission, of course.

With this multi-user access, you can e-file your Form 2290 (with the help of others) quickly and easily.

Want to learn a little bit more about our new additional users feature? Well strap in!

E-File your Form 2290

With this new additional users feature, you (as the account holder) can share the burden of completing your Form 2290 with someone else.

But don’t worry, you still have the power to set permissions and levels of access for how your additional user can edit, view, and transmit their 2290 returns.

And besides, with this help, you can get a 2290 stamped Schedule 1 faster than you think.

So Here’s How It Works!

When you send a user an invite, they’ll receive a temporary username and password. (They can change this after they’ve signed in for the first time.)

Then, based on the level of access you gave them, the user will be able to view business details and the existing IRS Form 2290, create and edit the forms, and file IRS Form 2290 to the IRS.

And with pre-filing season in full swing, now’s the best time to pre-file 2290 with ExpressTruckTax.

So what are you waiting for? Take advantage of the new additional user feature now and get to e-filing your 2290s.

7 Ways Truckers Can Prevent Accidents

Posted on May 24, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, accident prevention, Accidents, blind spots, Form 2290, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, safety, sleep deprivation, Truck, truckers, trucking nation

Prevent Truck Accidents

There’s nothing worse than a close call on the highway. Well, except for an actual incident!

So what’s the cause of the many trucking accidents? It’s hard to pick one thing, but we know there are a few key factors that always come up.

How can you prevent accidents on the road? By starting with yourself!

We’ve listened to truckers and health experts to put together these 7 tips for accident prevention.

Get More Sleep

Nothing is more dangerous than falling asleep behind the wheel of a 70,000 lb truck speeding down the highway. Which is why you hear so many people in the industry discussing the sleeping patterns, health, and practices of drivers. Federal regulations do not allow more than 12 consecutive hours of road time, but there are many drivers who do more than this.

How can you avoid sleep deprivation? Rest for short intervals and take breaks when you’re tired. With small amounts of recharge time, you can prevent sleep related accidents.

Sit with Proper Posture

Over at TruckLogics blog, we told you about how you need to watch your back while you drive. And it’s true! When you sit comfortably and don’t damage your back, you reduce the likelihood of personal injury and even roadside incidents.

Related Blog: Is Your Truck Destroying Your Back?

Keep Your Distance

Always be aware of your lane distance as you cross the highways. Knowing your stopping and starting distance, break distance, and proper speeds will be essential for proper safety on the roads.

Stay Healthy

You know what sounds dangerous? Having a heart attack as you zoom down I-95, or any local highway.

That’s why we constantly tell drivers to eat healthy and exercise. Sure, exhaustion is dangerous enough, but your heart will be all the better with proper nutrition and regular exercise. With that one-two punch, you can reduce your excess weight

Bet you’d improve your sleep, too!

Watch for Blind Spots

Depending on what truck you’re driving, your blind spot is gonna be different. Make sure you know what your blind spot distance is, so you will know how far away a car or a person really is from your truck.

This will prevent major accidents on the road, when backing up, and even when removing items from your truck during a delivery.

Maintain Your Truck

Sure, maybe your employer is “responsible” for truck maintenance as a whole, but you should always implement pre-trip inspections and keep an eye on your truck out there on the road. These checks not only reduce the possibilities for something to go wrong, they also keep you secure in your work and your driving.

Manage Your Time & Profession

Time is money. Trucking is money. Instead of reacting to what happens on the road, plan ahead and document frequently. What we’re saying is, use a trucking software like TruckLogics to stay ahead of the game.

Sure, it might not prevent an accident as well as keeping the proper distance, but having access to all of your receipts, bills of lading, and invoices in one handy phone app will reduce a lot of the stress of your life.

Don’t forget, we’re only a few months away from your 2290 deadline – be sure to keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook for the latest HVUT e-filing updates!

Logging Vehicles & Form 2290

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Marcela De Vivo - 2290, Agricultural Vehicles, HVUT, Logging, logging vehicles, lumber

Logging Vehicles

We hear it all the time — what exactly is a logging vehicle?

A lot of our 2290 filers see the option asking if their taxable vehicles are used for logging. This gets misunderstood, and they think that means logs that track mileage or fuel.

But logging vehicle really refers to hauling logs… as in felled trees and other products from the forest.

Now, according to the IRS a vehicle qualifies as a logging vehicle if:

It is used exclusively for the transportation of products harvested from the forested site, or it exclusively transports the products harvested from the forested site to and from locations on a forested site (public highways may be used between the forested site locations), –

-AND-

It is registered (under the laws of the state or states in which the vehicle is required to be registered) as a highway motor vehicle used exclusively in the transportation of harvested forest products. A vehicle will be considered to be registered under the laws of a state as a highway motor vehicle used exclusively in the transportation of harvested forest products if the vehicle is so registered under a state statute or legally valid regulations. In addition, no special tag or license plate identifying a vehicle as being used in the transportation of harvested forest products is required.

What do they mean by “products harvested from the forested site?”

Products harvested from the forested site

Do ents count as harvested products?

Well, that basically means they include timber that has been processed for commercial use, as well as any other sawed, chipped, or milled product that occurred before transportation from the forested site.

The two types of commonly used logging trucks include those used on rough ground and forested trails, and those used for transport on normal highways and roads.

Trucks designed for forested (often temporary) roads are configured with emphasis on suspension and tires. Sometimes, you might see as many as nine axles in use to provide low ground pressure and solid traction.

These trucks are designed to climb a significant gradient, since timber is commonly grown in hilly landscapes.

While the logs are usually loaded with winches and cranes, they’re usually unloaded by letting them roll off sideways.

So if you have a logging vehicle, then you can check the box that says “Used for Logging” when you e-file your form 2290.

Congratulations, you just got yourself a lower tax rate on your 2290!

If you have any questions about the status of your taxable vehicle when you e-file your 2290 this year, ask the dedicated support team at ExpressTruckTax! They provide 24/7 support via email, so you know we’re always ready to help you out.