IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Agreement
IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) was introduced to help trucking companies that operate across state or provincial lines. Its main purpose is to simplify how fuel taxes are calculated and paid, reducing the paperwork required for interstate or interprovincial trucking.
Understanding IFTA International Fuel Tax Agreement
Order IFTA Decal or Sticker Get Temporary Fuel Permit IFTA Renewal
Why IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Agreement Was Established
Each state and Canadian province applies its own fuel tax, which is usually paid at the time of purchase. Trucking companies with commercial operations use fuel permits that set a specific tax rate for motor fuel. These payments are tracked so the total tax owed or credit due can be calculated and reconciled every quarter.
Before IFTA existed, drivers had to stop at each state or provincial border to buy individual fuel permits from specific entry points. Managing these permits and filing tax returns for each jurisdiction created a significant administrative burden.
In response, several states began collaborating in the 1980s to develop a shared fuel tax system. Over time, this evolved into what we now know as the International Fuel Tax Agreement.
How IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Functions
When a commercial truck registers under IFTA, it receives a fuel tax license from its base (home) jurisdiction. As the vehicle travels through participating states or provinces, any fuel purchased is credited to that license.
At the end of each fiscal quarter, the trucking company submits an IFTA report showing miles driven and gallons of fuel bought in each area. IFTA helps determine the final tax owed or credit due for each jurisdiction and ensures proper distribution of collected taxes.
IFTA Internation Fuel Tax applies to commercial motor vehicles that:
- Have three or more axles, or
- Have two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, and
- Operate in two or more jurisdictions that are part of the IFTA program.
This includes all 48 contiguous U.S. states and all 10 Canadian provinces. Alaska and Hawaii are not part of the agreement.
Vehicles used for personal or recreational purposes do not require an IFTA license.
How to Register for IFTA Internation Fuel Tax
The jurisdiction where the vehicle is registered is considered the vehicle’s home base. This is where records for the vehicle’s operations are kept or can be accessed. If the truck is registered in multiple states, the operator should contact one state’s Department of Transportation to see if licensing can be unified under a single IFTA account.
Once registered, the home state will issue the IFTA decal, which must be displayed on the vehicle. You can find registration links through the Federal Highway Administration website.
IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Reporting Requirements
At the end of each quarter, IFTA license holders must submit a fuel tax report. This report should detail:
- Miles traveled in each participating state or province
- Gallons of fuel purchased in each jurisdiction
Supporting documentation must include:
- Trip logs or mileage records
- Distance and route records
- Fuel purchase receipts
- Any tax-paid fuel documentation
All relevant data, including any “gap miles” or unusual travel details, must also be included for accurate processing of IFTA claims.
IFTA Department of Highway Safety
Taxes are paid on motor fuels, and IFTA allows commercial motor carriers to register in one state and have these tax assessments paid out to all participating areas according to their fair share. IFTA was created for truckers who frequently cross state lines on their routes.
An IFTA sticker, also known as a decal, is a permit required for commercial motor vehicles operating in more than one jurisdiction (state or province) within the IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) network. It simplifies fuel tax reporting for interstate carriers by allowing them to pay fuel taxes based on their total consumption across all IFTA jurisdictions through a single quarterly report, rather than dealing with individual state or province requirements.
Purpose:
The IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Agreement aims to streamline the process of collecting and reporting motor fuel taxes for commercial vehicles that travel across state or provincial lines.
Who needs IFTA:
If you operate a “qualified motor vehicle” (typically a vehicle with two axles and a GVW over 26,000 pounds, or any vehicle with three or more axles) in more than one IFTA jurisdiction, you need an IFTA license and decals.
How IFTA works:
Instead of dealing with separate fuel tax licenses and reporting requirements for each jurisdiction, IFTA allows you to obtain a single license from your base jurisdiction (where your vehicle is registered) and receive decals (stickers) for each qualified vehicle.
Benefits:
- Simplified Reporting: You file one quarterly fuel tax report to your base jurisdiction, detailing fuel purchases and mileage in all IFTA jurisdictions.
- Reduced Administrative Burden: IFTA reduces the paperwork and administrative hassle associated with fuel tax compliance for interstate carriers.
- One-Stop Payment: You make a single payment to your base jurisdiction for all fuel taxes owed across the IFTA network.
IFTA jurisdictions:
The agreement includes all 48 contiguous US states and 10 Canadian provinces, excluding Alaska, Hawaii, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.
What is IFTA sticker and IFTA Decal
An IFTA sticker, also known as a decal, is a license required for commercial motor vehicles traveling across multiple jurisdictions that participate in the IFTA Internation Fuel Tax Agreement. These stickers simplify fuel tax reporting for interstate carriers by allowing them to obtain a single license and decal from their base jurisdiction instead of registering and paying taxes in every state or province they travel through.
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is an agreement among US states and Canadian provinces to streamline fuel tax reporting for interstate commercial motor carriers.
What are IFTA stickers/decals?
IFTA stickers or decals are proof that a vehicle is registered under the IFTA agreement and that the carrier is authorized to travel through IFTA jurisdictions.
Why are they needed?
Before IFTA, carriers had to register and pay fuel taxes in each state or province they traveled through, which was administratively burdensome.
How do they work?
IFTA allows carriers to obtain a single license from their base jurisdiction. They then display the corresponding IFTA decals on their vehicles, which allows them to operate in other IFTA jurisdictions without needing separate licenses.
Who needs them?
Generally, vehicles with two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds, or any vehicle with three or more axles, are required to participate in IFTA.
Key points:
IFTA stickers are typically valid for one year, from January 1st to December 31st, but can be displayed one month early.
They must be properly placed on the vehicle, and the placement instructions are usually printed on the back of the decal.
Carriers must keep their IFTA licenses and decals current and must submit quarterly fuel tax reports.
Failure to comply with IFTA requirements can result in fines and other penalties.
Conclusion
Fuel tax requirements across multiple jurisdictions can be overwhelming—but with IFTA, the process is simplified. By registering under the International Fuel Tax Agreement, you ensure accurate reporting, fair tax distribution, and compliance with all participating states and provinces. Whether you’re applying for the first time, renewing your annual decals, or need a temporary fuel permit, Chicago Permit is here to make the process seamless and efficient.
Order Your IFTA Decals Today
Need IFTA registration, decals, or renewal?
Call Chicago Permit at 630-222-5770 or Order Online Now to get your IFTA decals quickly and affordably!
Why Choose Chicago Permit?
- Trusted Expertise: Over 15 years of experience in trucking permits and compliance.
- Fast Service: Get your IFTA decals processed and shipped without delays.
- All Jurisdictions Covered: We handle permits for all 48 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces.
- Hassle-Free Filing: Let our specialists manage your quarterly IFTA reports and renewals.
- Affordable Rates: Competitive pricing with no hidden fees.
- Dedicated Support: Friendly customer service ready to answer your questions any time.
- Make your IFTA compliance easy—with Chicago Permit, you’re always in good hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Local trucks that operate only within one state or province and do not cross jurisdictional boundaries generally do not need an IFTA sticker. However, if a truck crosses state or provincial lines and meets weight or registration requirements, IFTA registration becomes necessary.
For Obtaining IFTA registration, decals, or renewal Call IRP Trucks at 630-222-5770
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a cooperative agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces. It simplifies the reporting of fuel use by carriers operating across multiple jurisdictions. Under IFTA, carriers file one fuel tax return with their base jurisdiction, which handles the distribution of taxes to the other areas traveled.
Carriers that operate qualified motor vehicles across two or more jurisdictions must have an IFTA license and display IFTA decals. A qualified vehicle typically has three or more axles, or two axles and a weight over 26,000 pounds (11,797 kilograms).
IFTA allows carriers to file a single quarterly fuel tax return with their base jurisdiction. The base jurisdiction calculates taxes owed to other jurisdictions based on miles driven and fuel purchased, simplifying compliance for interstate and interprovincial trucking companies.
IFTA is used to fairly distribute fuel tax revenue among U.S. states and Canadian provinces. It ensures that taxes are paid based on fuel usage and travel within each jurisdiction, rather than requiring separate filings for each region.
In trucking, IFTA refers to the fuel tax agreement that requires commercial carriers to report and pay fuel taxes for all jurisdictions they operate in, using one streamlined system. It applies to heavy vehicles that cross state or provincial lines.
IFTA registration is the process through which a trucking company applies for an IFTA license and decals. The application is submitted to the base state or province, and once approved, it allows legal fuel tax reporting across multiple jurisdictions.
To register for IFTA, you must:
- Operate a qualified motor vehicle across state or provincial lines.
- Maintain proper records of mileage and fuel purchases.
- File quarterly tax returns.
An IFTA sticker or decal is a visual identifier that a qualified vehicle is registered under the IFTA program. Each registered vehicle must display two decals (one on each side of the cab) along with a valid IFTA license inside the vehicle.
Driving without a valid IFTA decal and license on a qualified vehicle may result in fines, penalties, or denied entry into certain jurisdictions. It’s mandatory for vehicles that meet IFTA qualifications and operate in more than one jurisdiction.
If your IFTA decal is lost, damaged, or stolen, you must request a replacement from your base jurisdiction. Most offices require a formal application and may charge a fee for issuing new decals.
You can apply for an IFTA sticker through your base state or province’s tax or motor vehicle department. Most jurisdictions offer online applications or downloadable forms. The application includes business, vehicle, and operational details.
You need an IFTA sticker if your vehicle:
- Has three or more axles (regardless of weight), or
- Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds, and
- Operates in more than one IFTA jurisdiction.
If you meet these conditions, IFTA registration and decals are required.
Additional or replacement IFTA decals can be ordered through your base jurisdiction. These are often needed for adding new vehicles to your fleet. Ensure that your account is in good standing before placing an order.
