When Is the Washington IFTA Payment Due?

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is an agreement between jurisdictions in the United States and Canada designed to simplify the administration of fuel taxes for commercial vehicles.

Instead of requiring a carrier to file separate fuel tax returns in every jurisdiction where it operates, IFTA establishes a centralized system. The carrier files a return in its base jurisdiction, and that return is used to calculate the amount of tax owed to each jurisdiction.

In Washington, IFTA is administered by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) through its Prorate and Fuel Tax program. The agency provides services to apply for IFTA licenses and decals, file returns, make payments, and manage the carrier’s account.

If you are a truck driver or carrier with an IFTA license in Washington, it is important to know the deadlines for filing your quarterly fuel tax return.

When Is IFTA Due in Washington?

Washington IFTA returns are filed four times a year:

• First quarter: January through March — due April 30.
• Second quarter: April through June — due July 31.
• Third quarter: July through September — due October 31.
• Fourth quarter: October through December — due January 31.

If the deadline falls on a weekend or state holiday, the return is due on the next business day, as provided by law.

Do I Have to File IFTA If I Don’t Owe Any Taxes?

All IFTA license holders must file a quarterly return, even if they had no operations, reportable miles, or taxes due during a quarter. In those cases, the carrier must indicate that there were no operations. Failing to file a return simply because no taxes are owed can cause issues with the IFTA account.

The quarterly return is used to calculate the taxes owed based on the miles traveled and fuel purchased in the different jurisdictions where you operated.

For this reason, it is important to keep the following records organized throughout each quarter:

• Miles traveled by state or jurisdiction.
• Fuel purchases.
• Fuel receipts.
• Trip records.
• Vehicle and operational information.

What Happens If I File My IFTA Return Late?

A late return or late payment may result in penalties and interest. In Washington, the penalty for filing late or paying less than the amount due may be $50 or 10% of the tax due, whichever is greater.

In addition, failure to file returns or pay taxes may result in the revocation of the IFTA license and problems with vehicle registration.

How Do I File Washington IFTA?

Carriers can file their IFTA return online through the License Express system for prorate and fuel tax services provided by the Washington State Department of Licensing. There are also other options available for filing returns.

The dates every trucker with a Washington IFTA license should remember are:

April 30 → July 31 → October 31 → January 31

To make IFTA compliance easier, carriers can adopt a few simple practices:

• Keep organized records of every trip.
• Save original fuel invoices and receipts.
• Accurately record miles by jurisdiction.
• Regularly check odometer readings.
• Use digital tools to organize fleet information.
• Verify the applicable fuel tax rates for each quarter.
• File returns by the established deadlines.
• Keep the necessary documentation in case of an audit.
• Regularly review updates published by the Washington DOL.

Filing on time and maintaining accurate mileage and fuel records can help you avoid penalties, interest, and problems with your IFTA license.