Farmers and truckers now able to file IRS From 2290

The Internal Revenue Service has released Form 2290, the “Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.” This form is used to figure and pay the use tax due on trucks with a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 pounds or more. No tax is owed, however, in two instances: if the vehicle is expected to be driven 5,000 miles or less per year, or if the vehicle is used in agriculture and is expected to be driven 7,500 miles or less per year. Even if one of these exceptions is met, Form 2290 must still be filed with the IRS.

The reporting period for Form 2290 is July 1 through June 30 of the next year. Normally this form was due by August 31 each year, but the IRS revised its form and extended the filing date to November 30, 2011 for this year only.

Once this form is filed with the IRS, a copy is taken to your Department of Licensing office, allowing for extra tonnage to be purchased for the truck. Because the IRS released Form 2290 later than usual, truckers had to take their prior year’s schedule to the Department of Licensing to purchase extra tonnage. Even though your tonnage has been purchased with last year’s schedule, you are still required to file a Form 2290 before November 30, 2011.

Form 2290 can be downloaded from the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov. After completing the form, it can be delivered to an IRS walk-in office, or it can be mailed to the IRS at one of two addresses, depending on whether or not tax is due, or it can be e-filed for a fee through certain providers in the IRS e-file program. The form may also be obtained at Leffel, Otis & Warwick, P.S.

Karla Jaeger is a certified public accountant at the Wilbur offices of the accounting firm of Leffel, Otis & Warwick, P.S.