Calling all heavy vehicle operators: the Internal Revenue Service has issued an important reminder for owners of most heavy highway vehicles that the time to file what is referred to as Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, began on July 1, 2019.

The highway use tax applies to those highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, the IRS stated in a news release. This generally includes large trucks, truck tractors, buses, and the like. The tax is based on the weight of the vehicle and a variety of additional special rules apply. These special rules are explained in the instructions to Form 2290 and should be searched for further reference and explanations.

In 2019, the IRS expects to receive almost 900,000 Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Returns. Though some taxpayers have the option of filing Form 2290 on paper, taxpayers with 25 or more taxed vehicles must e-file Form 2290, the IRS said in the news release.

The deadline to file Form 2290 and pay the tax is by Sept. 3, 2019, for vehicles used on the road during the month of July 2019. Truckers have the additional time since the normal deadline of Aug. 31 falls on a Saturday this year and Monday, Sept. 2, is a federal holiday, Labor Day.

The IRS added that it encourages all owners to take advantage of the speed and convenience of e-file and paying any tax due by the deadline listed above. There is no need to visit an IRS office because the form can be filed and any required tax payment can be made online.

The IRs news release also stated that filers can use a credit or debit card to pay the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax. If this applies to you please visit IRS.gov for a list of IRS-approved e-file providers and to find an approved provider for Form 2290 on the 2290 e-file partner’s page.

Generally, e-filers receive their IRS-stamped Schedule 1 electronically minutes after filing, the IRS news released added. Filers can then print the Schedule 1 and provide it to their state department of motor vehicles, without visiting an IRS office.

For those who prefer and/or want face-to-face tax service, all IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers now operate by appointment and taxpayers should call 844-545-5640 to schedule an appointment before walking into a center. See the Taxpayer Assistance Center page on IRS.gov for further details and important information, the IRS news release explained.

Also, for even further information on the subject, the IRS will host a webinar, “Understanding Form 2290-Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax,” on Aug. 15 at 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. If interested, parties may pre-register for this free 60-minute webinar by clicking this link. Closed captioning is also available. Tax professionals are also encouraged to join the webinar and they can earn one continuing professional education credit for attending.

For more information about the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax, the IRS encourages those interested to visit the Trucking Tax Center at IRS.gov/trucker.

 

Source: IRS