FUEL TAX
How to file an IFTA quarterly return
IFTA is administered by your base jurisdiction, so the portal and form vary by state or province. The basic job is the same: report jurisdiction miles and qualified fuel for the quarter, even when the return is zero.
TIME: Depends on the quality of your mileage and fuel records
COST: Tax or credit calculated by the return; jurisdiction fees may apply
Last reviewed August 21, 2026
Before you start
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Miles traveled by jurisdiction
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Fuel gallons by jurisdiction
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Fuel receipts and bulk-fuel records
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Prior-quarter adjustments
Get it done
01
Close and reconcile the quarter
Match trip or electronic mileage records to fuel purchases and investigate missing states, gallons, or receipts before filing.
02
Open your base-jurisdiction IFTA portal
File with the jurisdiction that issued your IFTA license. Do not choose a portal merely because the truck traveled there.
03
Report every required jurisdiction
Enter taxable and total miles and tax-paid fuel as the return requests. File a zero return when required even if no qualified vehicle operated.
04
Review the calculation
Check totals, fleet MPG, credits, prior adjustments, and unusual jurisdiction results before certifying.
05
Submit, pay, and save the complete return
Keep the filed return and payment confirmation—not only a bank transaction or portal success screen.
06
Track the next quarter
The usual due dates are April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31, adjusted when the jurisdiction recognizes a weekend or holiday.
What to save when you finish
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Payment or credit confirmation
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Fuel receipts and summaries
IFTA record format, retention, amendments, and portal steps come from your base jurisdiction. A zero-operation quarter generally does not eliminate the return requirement while the account remains active.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Straight answers before you start.
Do I file an IFTA return if I ran zero miles?
Yes. A no-operations quarter still requires a return while the account is active.
What are the four recurring IFTA due dates?
April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31.
What is the 2026 U.S. IFTA interest rate?
IFTA publishes a 9% annual interest rate for U.S. jurisdictions effective January 1, 2026.
Is IFTA the same as IRP?
No. IFTA is fuel-tax reporting; IRP is apportioned vehicle registration.
Filing it is the easy part. Remembering the next one is what gets people.
When the document is finished, save the completion date and next deadline in We Heart Paperwork.
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