Highway Use Tax Returns Due Soon

[kcjenkins]

August 22, 2014
By Jeff Stimpson

 

The IRS is reminding truckers and other owners of heavy highway vehicles that they may need to file their next federal highway use tax return by Tuesday, September 2.

 

According to the agency, this year’s due date was pushed back two days because the normal August 31 deadline falls on a Sunday.

 

These returns generally apply to Form 2290 and the accompanying tax payment for the tax year that begins on July 1, 2014, and ends on June 30, 2015.

 

The highway use tax applies to highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more; this generally includes trucks, truck tractors and buses. (Ordinarily, vans, pick-ups and panel trucks are not taxable because they fall below the weight threshold.) The tax of up to $550 per vehicle is based on weight and various special rules apply, as explained in the instructions to the 2290.

 

Returns must be filed and tax payments made by September 2 for vehicles used on the road during July. For vehicles first used after July, the deadline is the last day of the month following the month of first use.

 

Though some taxpayers have the option of filing the 2290 on paper, the IRS encourages e-filing this form and paying any tax electronically. Taxpayers reporting 25 or more vehicles must e-file. A list of IRS-approved software providers is on IRS.gov.

 

Paper returns must be mailed and postmarked by midnight on September 2. IRS offices will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 1.

 

See the IRS Trucking Tax Center for more.