Your Quick Safety Checklist for IRS HVUT Form 2290


If you’ve got a vehicle registered in your name that weighs 55,000 pounds or more and goes on public roads, this one’s for you.

The due date for the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) Form 2290 is coming up fast for the 2020-21 tax year. For most truck owners and commercial drivers’ schedules, the HVUT deadline is August 31. Here’s a quick checklist so you make sure you’re HVUT compliant.  

Collect Your Info

There are three things you’ll need when you file Form 2290.

Your EIN

This is your Employer Identification Number. There really is no way around this one. If you don’t have an EIN yet, you can apply for one in under ten minutes with our sister product TSNAmerica. Just call (803)386-0320, and we will set you up with the IRS. It can take a while for your EIN to be activated in the IRS database, so give yourself a few weeks to a month to avoid missing a deadline while you’re waiting on the IRS.

Your VIN

This is your Vehicle Identification Number. You’ll need this to let the IRS know which vehicle you’re filing for. Check the inside of your cab door panel if it’s a truck. 

Your Month of First Use

You’ll need to know when your vehicle first hit the road during the tax period you are filing for. This date determines your deadline and you will be asked for it on Schedule 1. Most of the time, this date is going to be near the beginning of your tax period, unless you bought a new truck, in which case, that first use date could fall somewhere in the middle.

Make Your HVUT Payment

If your vehicle drove over 5,000 miles, you will need to pay the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. You can’t pay your 2290 tax with credit or debit cards anymore, but you can use payment types such as EFW, EFTPS, or a check or money order.

Claim Credit

If you filed IRS Form 2290 and paid your HVUT before but didn’t end up driving 5,000 miles–or 7,500 miles for agricultural vehicles–you can apply for credit and use it against this year’s HVUT payment. 

Decide How to File

If you have 25 or more vehicles to file for, e-filing is the only option. If you have less than 25 vehicles, you can choose to paper file through the mail. Not only is e-filing 2290 faster, it’s also the IRS recommendation. 

Pick out your filing software

There’s nothing worse than getting ready to meet your IRS 2290 deadline and then realizing you don’t have an e-filing provider yet. If you’re looking for a no-frills filing process and the answers you need right when you need them, ExpressE-file is the one for you. Filing with us is fast, so even if you are pushing the line with your filing deadline, we’ve got you covered. 

Meet Your Deadline

Make sure you know your deadline and have everything lined up to meet it. For most trucks, August 31 is that cutoff date. Your Form 2290 should be filed by the last day of the month after the month of first use.

Keep Track

When you e-file, downloading a copy of your return is an easy way to make sure you have it on file. If you like to see it on paper, you can print it out or request a copy from us and we will print it out and mail it right to you.

Find out everything truckers need to know about HVUT Form 2290 and 5 reasons you may want to stop paper filing. 

Check all the boxes and you’ll be all set to remain HVUT compliant for the next year. Whether you’re filing Form 2290 or keeping up with top tips for truckers, Express E-file is here to keep you moving fast and on pace with the IRS.


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