Extension on Heavy Highway Use Tax

Sometimes tax relief comes by way of an unexpected extension.

The heavy highway use tax applies to trucks, truck tractors and buses with a gross taxable weight of 55,000 pounds or more, and is filed using Form 2290. The tax is based on the weight of the vehicle and can be as much as $550. The IRS transmits information from the Form 2290 to the individual state Departments of Motor Vehicles and states are required to verify payment of the highway use tax prior to registering these types of vehicles.

Normally Form 2290 must be filed by August 31st, but this year the deadline has been extended to November 30th. The IRS recently advised the public that returns should not be filed and the tax should not be paid prior to November 1, 2011. The highway use tax is due to expire on September 30, 2011, and the IRS wants to try to avoid any confusion that might be caused if Congress decides to modify or reinstate the tax after that date.

Penalties and interest may be charged for failure to file/pay this tax (or filing/paying late) just like any other tax. Furthermore, if you are a trucker and you also owe personal 1040 taxes, the IRS will normally require that you get current on filing & paying your 2290 heavy highway tax form before they will agree to a resolution of your 1040 taxes.

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