🛠️ FreeToolsHub

IFTA Fuel Tax Calculator

Calculate your quarterly IFTA fuel tax obligations by state. Enter your miles traveled and fuel purchased to see tax owed or credits due.

📊 Enter Miles & Fuel by State

State/ProvinceMiles DrivenGallons Purchased

How IFTA Fuel Tax Works

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) simplifies fuel tax reporting for carriers operating in multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Instead of buying fuel permits for each jurisdiction, you file one quarterly report that redistributes taxes based on where you actually drove.

📐 IFTA Calculation Formula

1. Fleet MPG = Total Miles ÷ Total Gallons

2. Taxable Gallons = State Miles ÷ Fleet MPG

3. Tax Owed = Taxable Gallons × State Rate

4. Tax Paid = Gallons Purchased × State Rate

5. Net Tax = Tax Owed − Tax Paid

If your net tax is positive, you owe additional tax. If it's negative, you'll receive a credit or refund.

📅 IFTA Filing Due Dates

QuarterPeriodDue Date
Q1January - MarchApril 30
Q2April - JuneJuly 31
Q3July - SeptemberOctober 31
Q4October - DecemberJanuary 31

* If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day.

💡 Tips to Avoid IFTA Audit Issues

📝Keep all fuel receipts for 4 years - they must show date, location, gallons, and price
📍Track miles by state using GPS, ELD, or manual odometer readings at state lines
📊Maintain reasonable MPG - typical trucks get 5-8 MPG; unusual numbers trigger audits
⏰File on time every quarter, even if you have zero miles to report
🔍Reconcile your fuel purchases with your credit card statements monthly

🚛 Who Needs IFTA?

You need an IFTA license if your vehicle:

  • Has 2+ axles and weighs over 26,000 lbs
  • Has 3+ axles regardless of weight
  • Travels in 2+ IFTA jurisdictions

⚠️ Non-IFTA Areas

These jurisdictions are NOT part of IFTA:

  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • District of Columbia
  • Yukon Territory
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nunavut
  • Mexico

📊 Tax Rate Source

Tax rates from official IFTA, Inc. tax matrix (iftach.org). Updated for Q4 2025.

Rates change quarterly - always verify before filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

To calculate IFTA manually: 1) Add up total miles driven across all states. 2) Add up total gallons purchased. 3) Calculate fleet MPG (Total Miles ÷ Total Gallons). 4) For each state, calculate taxable gallons (State Miles ÷ Fleet MPG). 5) Multiply taxable gallons by the state's tax rate to get tax owed. 6) Subtract tax already paid (gallons purchased × tax rate) from tax owed to get net tax due or credit for each state.

Yes, IFTA fuel taxes are generally tax-deductible as a business expense for trucking companies and owner-operators. You can deduct the fuel taxes paid as part of your overall fuel costs. Keep all receipts and IFTA reports for documentation. Consult with a tax professional for your specific situation.

IFTA applies to qualified motor vehicles that: 1) Have two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds (11,797 kg), OR 2) Have three or more axles regardless of weight, OR 3) Are used in combination when the combined weight exceeds 26,000 pounds. The vehicle must also travel in at least two IFTA jurisdictions.

Common IFTA audit triggers include: 1) Significant discrepancies in reported MPG (too high or too low for vehicle type). 2) Inconsistent reporting patterns quarter to quarter. 3) Missing or incomplete records. 4) Random selection. 5) Complaints or tips. 6) Unusually high credit claims. To avoid audits, maintain accurate records of all fuel purchases and miles traveled, and ensure your reported MPG is reasonable (typically 5-8 MPG for trucks).

IFTA returns are due quarterly: Q1 (Jan-Mar) due April 30, Q2 (Apr-Jun) due July 31, Q3 (Jul-Sep) due October 31, Q4 (Oct-Dec) due January 31. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day. Late filing penalties are $50 or 10% of tax due, whichever is greater, plus interest.