Frequently asked questions
The questions truckers actually ask.
Answers in plain language. If you need a longer treatment of any of these, the guides go further.
General IFTA
What is IFTA?
IFTA, the International Fuel Tax Agreement, is an agreement among 48 U.S. states (all except Alaska and Hawaii) and 10 Canadian provinces to simplify fuel tax reporting for motor carriers operating across multiple jurisdictions. Instead of filing separate fuel tax returns in each state or province you drive through, you file one quarterly return with your base jurisdiction.
Who needs to file IFTA returns?
You need an IFTA license if you operate a qualified motor vehicle (over 26,000 lbs gross weight, or 3 or more axles) in two or more IFTA jurisdictions. This covers most commercial trucking operations that cross state or provincial lines.
What are the IFTA filing deadlines?
Returns are due quarterly. Q1 (January through March) is due April 30. Q2 (April through June) is due July 31. Q3 (July through September) is due October 31. Q4 (October through December) is due January 31 of the following year. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, you have until the next business day.
What happens if I file late?
Late filing typically triggers a $50 minimum penalty per quarter, plus interest on any taxes owed (often 1% per month). Repeated late filing can result in license revocation. File on time even if you need to amend later. It's almost always cheaper.
Using the calculator
Is IFTA Miles really free?
Yes. The full calculator, the full jurisdiction breakdown, and the printable report are free, with no premium tier hiding the answer. We may add optional paid features later. The core calculation will always be free.
Do I need to create an account?
No. The calculator works without an account; your data stays in your browser. Create a free account if you want to save your work between devices or across quarters.
Where do the tax rates come from?
Rates come from IFTACH.org (the International Fuel Tax Association) and refresh each quarter when new rates are published. The effective date is shown on the Tax Rates page so you always know which rates you are calculating against.
Can I use this for my official IFTA filing?
The calculator is designed for estimation, sanity-checking, and planning. Always verify your numbers with your accountant or your base jurisdiction before submitting an official return. We are not responsible for errors in official filings.
How do I figure out miles by state?
Most carriers track this with an ELD (electronic logging device), GPS routing data, or a manual trip log. Enter the miles per jurisdiction in the calculator and we handle the rest of the math.
What is the difference between taxable gallons and tax-paid gallons?
Taxable gallons are calculated: total miles in a jurisdiction divided by your fleet MPG. That is the fuel you would have used in that state. Tax-paid gallons are what you actually pumped (and paid tax on) in that state. The difference is your shortfall (you owe) or surplus (you're credited).
Technical
Is my data secure?
Without an account, your data lives in your browser's local storage and never leaves your device. With an account, your data is encrypted at rest. We do not sell or share your information.
Does this work on a phone?
Yes. The calculator and reports work on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers. A fair share of our users log trips from a truck stop or in the cab.
Can I export my data?
Yes. Print the report directly or use your browser's print dialog to save it as a PDF. Account holders can also export the underlying trip and fuel data.
Which browsers are supported?
Any current Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Older browsers may have layout issues. Keep yours updated.
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