Compared to most people, truck owners and drivers can be required to pay different types of taxes, one of the most important being the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT), which is paid in advance, in full. 

To pay your HVUT, you must file your IRS Form 2290 each year. Your Form 2290 should include any vehicles you own with a gross vehicle weight of 55,000 lbs or more that require registration to operate on public highways. If your vehicle is used 5,000 miles or less annually (7,500 miles or less annually for agricultural vehicles), you are still required to file the Form 2290, but you may file the vehicle as “Suspended,” which has a $0 tax liability. 

So, if you’re the owner or operator of a large truck, you might be wondering, when is 2290 due? Well, that’s a good question.

TL;DR

• When is 2290 due? The short answer is Aug 31 each year. If you purchase a vehicle after the month of July, the due date is the last day of the month after the month the vehicle was first used on public roads. 
• Before filing Form 2290, you’ll need:
  • The VIN for the vehicle(s)
  • The gross weight of the vehicle
  • The first day the vehicle was used
  • Bank routing number and account number
  • Your IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• If you do not yet have an EIN it may cause some delay getting your Sch1. Get your EIN online early so it is established in IRS e-file systems when you are ready to file. (We retry every day to get you e-filed if you have a new EIN that is not yet in the IRS e-file systems).

When Is 2290 Due? 

The tax period for Form 2290 begins July 1st each year, and vehicles filed on Form 2290 are covered through June 30th of the following year. For vehicles operating year over year, this means that each year, they are considered to have hit the road July 1st with the Form 2290 due August 31st.

So, when is 2290 due? 

The Form 2290 is due August 31st each year except for vehicles put into operation after the month of July, in which case the due date is the last day of the month after the month the vehicle was first used on public roads. And as with all IRS tax returns, if the due date happens to fall on a weekend or holiday, Form 2290 won’t be due until the next business day.

What You Will Need To File Form 2290

Knowing the answer to “when is 2290 due” is undoubtedly important for filing the Form 2290, but so is knowing the answer to “what will I need in order to file?” Regardless of whether you owe taxes or not, you’ll want to have the following information on hand:

• The VIN for the vehicle(s)
• The gross weight of the vehicle
• The first day the vehicle was used in this tax year
• Your bank routing and account number
• Your IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)

Typically, the most challenging of these numbers to acquire will be the EIN, which is the tax ID for your business. You absolutely must have an EIN to file Form 2290, as the IRS will reject 2290 returns filed with another identifier such as a Social Security Number. However, if your business already has an EIN, you should not file for another one (doing so could end up confusing your IRS tax accounts). 

How To Apply For An EIN (If You Don’t Already Have One)

EINs are free of charge for businesses, and you can apply for one with the IRS. While the preferred method is to apply online, you also have other options to apply through the mail, by telephone, or by fax. (For those filing outside of the US, the process will look a little different. For more information, check out this helpful IRS resource.)

If you apply online, you’ll receive your EIN instantly, but it will take some time for the IRS to establish it in their e-file systems, which can cause a delay* for new businesses e-filing their Form 2290. So, get your EIN as early as possible. That way, when you need to e-file Form 2290, you will receive your IRS-stamped Schedule 1 in minutes. (You don’t necessarily have to e-file Form 2290, you can also paper-file, but it will take weeks to get your IRS-stamped Schedule 1).

* Check with your e-file provider to see how they deal with your account when you have a new EIN. Some providers like i2290 will retry e-filing each day at no cost to you until your EIN is working in IRS systems and you get your Schedule 1.

Easily E-file Form 2290 With i2290

Once your EIN is established and you’ve gathered all of the information you need, you can instantly e-file your IRS Form 2290 return with i2290. Our software will guide you through a short series of questions about you and your vehicle(s), then automatically calculate your taxes for you – it’s as easy as that. After submitting your return, you’ll have access to your IRS stamped Schedule 1 in five minutes or less, and if for any reason you hit a stumbling block, our world-class customer support team is always happy to help – that’s a guarantee. 

Ready for a simpler Form 2290 e-filing process? Create an account with i2290 today!
Special note: This article is for general purposes, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, investment, or accounting advice. The best way to ensure you’re correctly navigating the Form 2290 due date and paying appropriate taxes is by following IRS regulations and consulting with a tax professional.