What Information Is Required to File My IFTA Taxes?

The main information required to file your IFTA taxes are your miles driven, sorted by state driven, and gallons of fuel purchased, also sorted by the state purchased. Additionally, if you plan to file your IFTA online (recommended) you will need to make sure you have your online account information, including username and password, in order to access your online account.

Miles and gallons are reported per fleet.  All miles, even unloaded and those for personal use, must be reported. Fees calculated on your return are based on your miles driven in each state, your MPG, and the fuel purchased in each state, per the current quarters tax rate. Most IFTA license renewals can be requested at the time of third-quarter IFTA filing. Must have all quarterly filings current before you can renew the license.

Understanding IFTA Jurisdiction Rules and Vehicle Qualifications

If you’re filing under the International Fuel Tax Agreement, knowing what counts as a qualified motor vehicle is half the battle. Generally, that means a commercial vehicle with two axles and a gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds—or one with three or more axles, regardless of weight. Not every vehicle on the road qualifies; for instance, a recreational vehicle used solely for personal travel won’t trigger an IFTA requirement.

Each member jurisdiction—which includes the 48 contiguous U.S. states and most Canadian provinces—requires carriers to report miles driven and fuel purchased in their territory. This is where your base jurisdiction comes in. It’s responsible for processing your IFTA tax return, issuing your decal, and making sure your quarterly data is sent to every other jurisdiction involved.

When is Your IFTA Tax Return Due?

Your IFTA quarterly tax filings are deadline-driven—not flexible. The due date is the last day of the month following the end of each calendar quarter. If your Q1 ends in March, your IFTA return must be submitted by April 30th. Late filings can trigger penalties, interest, or losing your ability to operate until you’re compliant.

To avoid issues, it’s smart to file ahead of the due date and verify that your data matches fuel receipts, odometer readings, and GPS mileage logs. A missing tax report or inconsistent data across motor vehicles can slow everything down. And yes, your gross vehicle weight and registered gross vehicle weight still matter, especially if you're operating across multiple states and provinces.

Why Decal Accuracy Still Matters for Motor Carriers

The IFTA decal might look like just another sticker, but it’s your ticket to operate legally in every participating jurisdiction. Every motor carrier needs to display a current IFTA decal on both sides of each qualified motor vehicle. These aren’t optional, and they’re tied directly to your base jurisdiction's system.

Forget to display one? Or display the wrong year’s? That’s a fast track to fines and a possible stop order. For carriers managing multiple trucks, double-checking decal placements each quarter should be a routine requirement. These rules are what help maintain consistent compliance under the international fuel tax agreement, so you’re not paying more or less than you owe.

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