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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Total fleet miles

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Fuel gallons by jurisdiction

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Fuel receipts and bulk-fuel records

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Qualified vehicle list

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Prior-quarter adjustments

Get it done

Close and reconcile the quarter

Match trip or electronic mileage records to fuel purchases and investigate missing states, gallons, or receipts before filing.

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.

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.

Review the calculation

Check totals, fleet MPG, credits, prior adjustments, and unusual jurisdiction results before certifying.

Submit, pay, and save the complete return

Keep the filed return and payment confirmation—not only a bank transaction or portal success screen.

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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Filed quarterly return

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Payment or credit confirmation

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Mileage source records

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Fuel receipts and summaries

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Adjustment support

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.

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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Understand the requirement

OFFICIAL SOURCES

IFTA, Inc. — Official program website

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