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Monthly Archives: June 2022

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How To Pass A DOT Inspection?

Posted on June 29, 2022 - 12:08 pm by
How To Pass A DOT Inspection?

A simple 3-step approach to pass the DOT inspection like a pro.

DOT inspections are a common reality for a lot of truck drivers. 

Doesn’t matter if you’re a truck business owner or an owner-operator truck driver, DOT inspections are part of the compliance journey that you have to get used to. 

While the process may seem like a nerve-wracking experience for a beginner, it’s actually just a mandatory compliance procedure that every truck driver or trucking business has to pass through. 

Consider it a rite of passage. If you could make it to this, you’re probably ready for the next chapter of your highway life. 

While passing a DOT inspection is relatively easy, it’s important to consider the downside of failing a DOT inspection.

Why A Failed DOT Inspection Can Be Bad

Now, keep in mind that a failed DOT inspection will cost you an average of $851. 

And this excludes the repairs (leading up to the inspection) and fines. 

If an inspection concludes that your vehicle violates the ‘out of service’ regulation, not only will you have to worry about a penalty and a ticket, but you can’t use the vehicle on a highway. 

This will squeeze your pockets more than a vehicle that’s running on the highway. 

This is why truck drivers and trucking businesses alike are very cautious of DOT inspection. 

However, remember that a DOT inspection is a simple process and the DOT inspector just wants to make sure that your vehicle is in the -right condition and complies with the highway regulations. 

The inspection also makes sure that your driver is physically and mentally prepared to take on the challenges that arise when driving on highways. 

So, in order to help you comply with the DOT inspection process, we have put together various approaches which would help you pass the DOT inspection without a sweat. 

So, let’s get started.

Start With Your Paperwork 

Keep Your Paperwork Organized

This is probably the first step you need to take to ensure that you pass the DOT inspection. Make sure that all the paperwork you need is in the right place. 

Checklist of documents you need: 

  • Record of Duty Status (RODS)
  • Driver’s license (commercial driver’s license)
  • HAZMAT or Hazardous Material compliance
  • Medical card and waiver
  • Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate
  • Vehicle Inspection Report
  • Hazardous Material & Dangerous Goods compliance
  • HOS (Hours of Service) documentation
  • Seat belt usage
  • Alcohol or drug use history

Update Your Regulatory Information 

If any of the documents show information that’s historic or out of date, it’s time to renew the information and keep the paperwork up to date. 

This way, you can prevent missed information and avoid showing wrong documentation during the inspection.

Pay Attention To Your Vehicle 

Create a checklist prior to the inspection 

Conduct a thorough inspection of your vehicle by yourself, or ask for a professional’s help. Get your vehicle “scanned” for any faults and note down all the upgrades and repairs your vehicle needs.

Ensure that the following parts of your vehicle are in the best condition. 

  • Brakes and exhaust system
  • Front windows and external lights 
  • Vehicle engine 
  • Vehicle tires 
  • Suspension elements 
  • Fuel and brake lines 

Make sure that there are no oil leaks and drips on a hot part of the vehicle, and that there is no rust on your vehicle components. 

Get the maintenance work done

Once you have a checklist of all the repairs that your vehicle requires in order to be approved as “functional” and “safe”, you need to actually invest in those repairs and maintenance work. It’s best to plan these things ahead before the date of the DOT inspection to avoid stress. 

Arrange the necessary funds in advance if your vehicle requires massive repairs or servicing.

Plan the repair work at least a month in advance. 

Regularly service your vehicle to avoid the sudden cost of repairs and malfunctioning.

Consider The Realities Of An Inspection 

Remember that the DOT inspector is not an enemy 

Once the date of DOT inspection does arrive, remember to not stress or worry. There’s nothing you can do at this point to change the outcome. Just be polite to the inspector and greet them with a smile. 

Remember that the vehicle inspector is merely doing their job, which is to inspect the vehicle and report back to the DOT. 

Be calm and professional 

When the inspector asks you questions about your health or history of drug or alcohol use, don’t take it personally. Just answer the questions to the best of your knowledge and don’t overthink your answers. 

It’s their job to ask those questions. Inspecting the vehicles and validating the credentials of the driver or the operator is a part of their job. 

If you have planned things in advance and got the vehicle repaired right in time for the inspection, most likely, you and your vehicle will pass the inspection. 

On the off chance of failing the DOT inspection, don’t worry. 

Ask the inspector what needs to be corrected in order to comply. Address those issues and schedule an inspection for another time. This time, make sure that you have everything ready for a smooth inspection process. 

To summarize, update and gather your regulatory documentation, get your truck fixed, and stay professional. 

And before you know it, you will have permission to use the highways.

Yes, failing a DOT inspection can leave you feeling stressed and anxious. But do you know what else can make it worse? Not addressing your 2290 Heavy Highway Usage Tax obligations. 

The IRS requires trucking businesses to file Form 2290 to report certain information about heavy vehicles that utilize the highways for transportation purposes. 

EZ2290, an authorized eFile provider of the IRS, enables you to prepare and file your 2290 returns per federal requirements. 

EZ2290 features: 

  • Quick and easy bulk data import
  • Real-time TIN matching
  • Dynamic form completion
  • Automatic tax calculations
  • Secure & encrypted eFile transmissions
  • Free 2290 VIN Corrections
  • Free re-file for rejected returns
  • Online options to pay your HVUT with convenience
  • Priority 2290 tax support 

Get Started For Free & eFile 2290 Now

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DOT Inspection Levels: The 6 Levels Of DOT Inspections Explained

Posted on June 27, 2022 - 12:52 pm by
DOT Inspection Levels

What are the 6 Levels of DOT Inspection, and what do you need to clear the inspections? Learn all about DOT inspections in this simple guide.

Safety is a top priority for everyone and because of this, vehicle inspections are pretty common. 

Commercial Vehicle inspections are safety measures undertaken by the DOT inspectors to help make sure that the vehicle is well maintained year after year. This is to reduce unprecedented accidents on highways.

These inspections help the DOT (Department of Transportation) understand if a vehicle operator complies with the department of transportation’s (DOT) road safety and compliance standards. 

What Is DOT Inspection?

When a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) is inspected by an inspector of the department of transportation (DOT), then such an inspection is known as a DOT inspection. 

DOT inspections should not be confused with regular inspections conducted by manufacturers for motor functionality. 

DOT inspections are performed by an assigned inspector from the DOT. These are mandatory inspections that every vehicle operator has to comply with in order to be permitted to stay on the road. 

The DOT conducts 6 Levels of inspections to gather complete safety information about your vehicle and drivers(s). The inspections validate your compliance documentation and verify the ownership and utility details of the vehicle. 

Usually, the DOT conducts inspections on vehicles that weigh 10,001 pounds or more. 

There are six levels of inspections that the DOT conducts to make sure that your vehicle is in optimal condition and ‘fit’ to be on the road.

Let’s take a look at the different types of DOT inspections. 

Level I DOT Inspection: North American Standard Inspection

Level I inspection is the most common type of inspection conducted by the DOT. The whole inspection procedure takes about an hour to complete. 

The following things will be inspected by the DOT inspector. 

  • The commercial driver’s license (CDL) of the vehicle operator or owner (if the operator is also the owner)
  • The medical certificate to verify if the operator has passed the annual DOT physical exam
  • The logbook records of the last eight on-duty days to validate and check the ‘hours of service’ records 
  • Signs of drug and alcohol usage within the vehicle 
  • Driver’s history of substance abuse 
  • A medical card or waiver of the driver(s) as required by the state authorities 

Additionally, the following components of the vehicle are inspected to make sure that the truck or the vehicle is fit for highway usage. 

  • Vehicle’s seat belt
  • Exhaust system
  • Turn signals
  • Tail lamps/lights
  • Headlamps
  • Steering wheel
  • Wheels and rims
  • Fuel system

Level II DOT Inspection: Walk-Around Driver/Vehicle Inspection

Level II inspection is somewhat similar to the Level I DOT inspection. The only difference is that the inspector is not going to inspect the vehicle parts or components under the truck as discussed in the Level I inspection.

Pro Tip: It’s ideal for a driver or the operator to regularly inspect the vehicle before and after every trip to make sure that the vehicle is in optimal condition. Some DOT inspections could be unscheduled or sudden. In such a case, you won’t have to panic because you’ve already completed your personal list of vehicle checks to assess the vehicle’s condition.

The Level II DOT inspection takes around 30 minutes to complete.

Level III DOT Inspection: Driver-Only Inspection

This inspection is mostly focused on the driver’s credibility and history. This has less to do with the vehicle and more to do with the driver’s legal capacity to be operating a heavy vehicle on national highways. 

The following factors are considered when inspecting the vehicle driver. 

  • Record of Duty Status (RODS)
  • Driver’s license (commercial driver’s license)
  • HAZMAT or Hazardous Material compliance
  • Medical card and waiver
  • Skill Performance Evaluation (SPE) certificate
  • Vehicle Inspection Report
  • Hazardous Material & Dangerous Goods compliance
  • HOS (Hours of Service) documentation
  • Seat belt usage
  • Alcohol or drug use history

As complex as it may sound, Level III inspection only takes about 15 minutes to conclude. Depending on the responses and the documentation shown and provided by the driver, the inspector will report back to the authorities at DOT.

Level IV DOT Inspection: Special Inspection

Unlike other “formatted” inspection procedures, Level IV inspection focuses on just one aspect of the vehicle. And this aspect is something that has been on the DOT’s radar for a while. 

For example, let’s say that you’ve been repeatedly violating a certain norm. 

Let’s assume that your vehicle has violated the tail lights regulations in the previous year. The special inspection would focus on just this and would report back to the DOT after the inspection. 

This is done to track improvement (or the lack of) over time. 

Since the subject of the inspection could be based on the violation, the tentative time for the inspection is hard to estimate. If the issue is minor, the inspection could be finished in 20 minutes or less. If not, it could take longer.

Level V DOT Inspection: Vehicle-Only Inspection

The Level V vehicle inspection involves a thorough inspection of just the vehicle. Ensure that the following aspects of your vehicle are in good condition.

  • Brakes and exhaust must function properly
  • Front windows and external lights must function correctly
  • Check engine lights must not show/blink
  • Vehicle tires must be in good shape and condition 
  • Suspension elements must be in optimal condition 
  • Make sure that there are no oil leaks and drips on a hot part of the vehicle
  • Ensure that the fuel and brake lines are rust-free 

Level V DOT inspection takes about 40 minutes to an hour to be completed. The vehicle inspector will most likely ask for vehicle insurance and registration documentation. So, it’s good to have those ready before the DOT inspector arrives at the location. It will help speed up the process.

Level VI DOT Inspection: Enhanced NAS Inspection For Radioactive Shipment

This inspection specifically focuses on the Transuranic Waste and Highway Route Controlled Quantities (HRCQ) of Radioactive Material. Meaning: Certain vehicles are permitted to use the highways to transport radioactive wastes and other classified waste material, which requires certain qualifications and permits. 

This inspection enables the DOT inspector to review and verify certain radiological shipments. The Level VI DOT inspection is an enhancement to the Level I DOT inspection, but also assesses radiological shipments, requirements, and enhanced ‘out of service’ criteria.

If a commercial motor vehicle is shipping nuclear waste, a nuclear sticker is attached to the origin. This is to alert the highway traffic about the carrier’s status and to alert the authorities en route. The sticker is only valid for one trip and must be removed as soon as the shipment reaches the destination. 

The DOT and state authorities will inspect the shipment regulatory requirements and deficiencies (if any) before allotting the nuclear labeling, without which a vehicle must not transport classified material. 

While these inspections are mandatory, they are also common. If you’ve been in the trucking industry long enough, you’d be aware of the regulatory requirements and compliance obligations. 

Managing a trucking business is not easy. Most of the time, you’re worried about your shipments, dispatch cycles, regulatory requirements, and a ton of paperwork. 

But do you know what else can make your life much more complicated?

Not addressing your 2290 Heavy Highway Usage Tax obligations. 

The IRS requires trucking businesses to file Form 2290 to report certain information about vehicles that utilize the highways for transportation purposes. 

EZ2290, an authorized eFile provider of the IRS, enables you to prepare and file your 2290 returns per federal requirements. 

EZ2290 features: 

● Quick and easy bulk data import

● Real-time TIN matching

● Dynamic form completion

● Automatic tax calculations

● Secure & encrypted eFile transmissions

● Free 2290 VIN Corrections

● Free re-files for rejected returns

● Online options to pay your HVUT with convenience

● Priority 2290 tax support 

Get Started For Free & eFile 2290 Now

5 Ways Fleet Companies Are Effectively Reducing Fuel Consumption

Posted on June 21, 2022 - 11:56 am by
Effectively Reducing Fuel Consumption

Here’s what fleet companies are doing differently to control fuel consumption and reduce emissions.

When a vehicle is on the road, it has a direct impact on the planet. 

In the long run, the picture gets smoggy. 

Although the trucking industry is keen on going green, the operational rationalism and the ground realities of the day-to-day activities hinder the companies from changing their strategies. 

Although some strategies are implemented with great enthusiasm, the spirit spans short.

However, not changing these strategies is actually doing more damage than you may think. 

It impacts the vehicle, the trucking company, and most importantly, the planet,

For example, when you key the engine and leave it idle, the vehicle is more likely to consume almost all the fuel in just one hour. 

This is testimony to how fast heavy vehicles consume fuel, and how the fuel cost alone can spiral out of control if not monitored correctly. 

When you observe a pattern across all your trucking facilities, it’s just more realistic to optimize the overall approach than to micromanage the driving ecosystem. 

The trucking industry doesn’t need advice. 

It needs effective approaches to adapt to the rising fuel complex and a realistic roadmap to strike a balance between greener operations and driver retention. 

Let’s take a look at a few tried-and-tested strategies that have worked efficiently for trucking companies in the last few years. 

So, let’s get started.

Incentivizing Driver Efficiency 

If the pandemic has taught the world anything, truck drivers are the backbone of the supply ecosystem. 

Truck drivers are driving 10+ hours a day. Their bodies are going through an awful lot each day, and they try very hard to be consistent with their efforts to reach the required destinations on time. 

So, when the drivers do manage to reach certain destinations faster than expected and unload the shipments on time, you could pay them a little extra for that dispatch trip alone or add your appreciation to the annual bonus. 

Similarly, if your drivers are complaining about burnout, give them a break. Have your backup drivers take the lead (temporarily). This will help the drivers rest, energize, and get back to work feeling much better. 
Either way, this would make the drivers feel appreciated and valued, which results in driver retention as well as motivating the drivers to get to places faster using the best routes.

Planned Maintenance Regime 

Did you know that your vehicles depend on fuel for performance? This is even more common in vehicles that do not get proper maintenance and checks. 

When you service and maintain the vehicles regularly, you enable the vehicle to depend on its performance enhancements instead of just fuel. 

The best way to ensure that your trucks are in good shape and perform with maximum efficiency is to address repairs and minor issues at regular intervals.

You can create a regime for regular maintenance, wherein, each time a truck completes X number of miles or goes X distance, the truck cannot be assigned the next load until it undergoes maintenance. 

This would help you achieve the following: 

  • Reduce the overuse of the truck 
  • Help maintain the optimum performance of the truck for a longer period
  • Streamline the truck maintenance schedule
  • Improve the driving experience for your drivers 
  • Prevent over-consumption of fuel

Weight Load Management 

When vehicles are burdened with loading weight, it impacts their performance.

This is why more and more truck manufacturers are focusing on the aerodynamics of the vehicle instead of just the weight-load capacities. 

It’s true that an average truck is built to take thousands of pounds of loading weight. However, with consistent use, wear and tear, the impact of elements, and other technical factors, this capacity deteriorates gradually. 

At this stage, the vehicle is more likely to consume more fuel than usual for its performance capacities. 

Reduce and manage the weight load so that your trucks are not overloaded. 

Assign a certain loading weight that is enough for the vehicle to manage yet slightly under its usual weight capacity. This will help your vehicles consume less fuel and perform effectively. 

Remember, a lighter object moves faster than a heavier one.

Modern technology gave us GPS. Use this guidance system to find the best route to the destination. 

Leveraging Connected Distances 

The back-office staff can also use the live location to track the drivers and the routes they’re taking. Your staff can also connect with the drivers while en route and recommend an alternative or faster route to reduce distance and time, saving you cost on fuel. 

Additionally, you can try splitting a trip between two-connected trucks to improve mobility and sustainability. 

Let’s assume that Truck 1 is starting from point A and has to pass through Point B to reach Point C. 

Now, expecting Truck 1 to go from Point A to Point C directly will require the driver to stretch their hours, and will wear out the vehicle. 

However, the same distance can be covered by connecting trucks. 

If you already have a facility near point B, or if you’re connected with another fleet company at point B, you can assign the load to a different truck from Point B to Point C.

This way, you reach the destination on time while the driver and the truck are not over-strained.

This connected fleet system will help you in the following ways.

  • Reduce fuel consumption
  • Reduce emissions
  • Reduce operational inconsistencies
  • Improve B2B partnerships 
  • Reduce the burden on your drivers
  • Create a sustainable ecosystem

Switching To Electric Vehicles 

This is the era of leveraging solar energy and innovating electric vehicles for everyday use. 

While the world is ambitious on the zero-fuel strategy, the trucking company is also curious about alternative fuel energy.

And yes. Electric vehicles come with their own drawbacks. 

  • Certain goods cannot be carried on lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles. 
  • Electric trucks are more expensive than traditional trucks. 
  • Electric vehicles are not built to weather through the elements. 
  • Electric trucks cannot carry thousands of pounds of loading weight.

However, electric trucks can be the future of goods transport because:

  • Electric vehicles can be used for shorter distances, while you can use regular trucks for longer distances.

Electric vehicles do not consume fuel, saving you plenty on fuel costs.

  • Electric vehicles do not require a lot of maintenance, making them an economical option.
  • Zero emissions. Zero carbon footprint. 
  • Electric vehicles are easier to drive – giving your drivers a convenient transit experience
  • Newer heavy-duty trucks are being manufactured every year to meet the zero-emission requirements of trucking companies. 

Electric vehicle manufacturing is still in its infancy. This means trucking companies can reach out to manufacturers and convey their requirements. The manufacturers will produce the vehicles per the custom requirements of the companies. 

The pros outweigh the cons. 

When you’re looking for sustainability, you have to adapt and evolve.

And yes. Adapting to the changing landscape is not easy. But it’s not difficult either. 

Change is worth it if it’s helping your business be less harsh on the planet, while also helping you reduce costs and improve driver retention. 

Managing a fleet company can be difficult. 

 But do you know what else can be difficult? 

Managing your 2290 tax files. 

However, EZ2290 aims to make your journey towards HVUT compliance easier. 

eFile 2290 truck tax forms online conveniently with EZ2290. 

Or even better, switch to our Premium Managed Services and get rid of the stress of eFiling your 2290 forms all by yourself. 

Let us take care of your 2290 filings from here. 
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Recently Published Form 2290 Posts

5 Ways Transportation Companies Can Increase Driver Retention

Posted on June 20, 2022 - 11:20 am by
Increase Truck Driver Retention

Here’s what transportation companies are doing differently to improve driver retention in 2022.

If you’re a founder or the owner of a trucking company, you just know how important your business is in the big picture. 

Without transportation companies like yours, supply chains are blocked, shipments are delayed, and of course, a dilution of the overall efficiency of the commerce industry. 

While it’s great to have a staunch presence in the market, it’s even more significant to sustain that kind of competition every day. 

And this element is directly dependent on your drivers. 

Retaining your drivers should be your #1 priority (if it already isn’t). This is because your competitors are probably looking at ways to recruit your best drivers at a better pay scale. 

But It’s not just about the competition. 

Drivers are more likely to quit a company if they don’t feel valued or heard. 

So, if you plan on keeping your best talent with you and driving home some good numbers, it’s time to pay attention to the backbone of your company – your truck drivers. 

The following will discuss some key strategies and various tips through which transportation companies like yours can retain your best drivers. 

So, let’s get to it.

Incentivize Efficiency 

Incentivizing your top drivers for their continued efforts is the best way to show your appreciation. Review and analyze your driver data to identify drivers who are choosing efficient approaches to deliver the loads on time. 

Reward top performers

Reward top performers with incentive pay, gifts, bonus pay, or any other form of reward that translates to monetary value (that’s actually useful to your drivers). At the end of the day, money matters. And it matters even more to drivers who are putting themselves through 10-11 hours of harsh driving every day.

Recognize positive driving 

It’s not just about the number of loads a driver is taking. Look at other aspects. How many of your drivers are delivering the loads before the promised time? How many of them are choosing alternative routes to reach longer distances faster? How many of them are stretching extra hours to meet your deadlines? How many of your drivers are taking other drivers’ loads? 

All these quantifiable attributes must be recognized and rewarded. 

Give paid time off 

You might want to pay attention to drivers who are on the verge of burnout or are already burnt out. 

Don’t continue to assign orders to drivers who are already crammed with a line of loads. Instead, provide paid time off for your most-efficient drivers, so they can get some rest, spend time with their families, and attend to their personal needs. 

This will help them come back to work feeling much better. And a healthy and happy driver is more likely to be more productive. 

Offer bonus pay for extra loads & long distances 

If you’re assigning extra loads to drivers due to a shortage of drivers, or if you’re requesting your drivers to deliver a load at a distant location, it’s only fair to offer bonus pay. This incentive will drive the truck driver to go the extra mile. 

Provide benefits 

Some other ways you can show your appreciation to your drivers and create a positive work environment.

  • Cover the fuel costs (even for deadhead miles)
  • Offer a raise every 6-12 months. 
  • Provide insurance
  • Enroll your drivers into retirement benefit schemes 
  • Pay annual bonus

Provide Well-Maintained Fleet 

Work comfort is an important aspect on its own. You can’t work consistently in an environment that is physically hard on your body every day. 

Truck drivers are at a higher risk of developing several illnesses than other professionals due to their high-stress work environment and physically demanding jobs. 

So, here’s what you can do to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for your drivers.

Get your vehicles serviced regularly 

Ensure that your vehicles are in optimal condition for every load. Get the vehicles serviced after timed intervals so that your drivers don’t experience downtime caused by vehicle breakdowns or failures. 

Provide comfortable seating 

A working individual with a stationary job who sits for 40 hours a week is more likely to develop back issues than those who don’t. 

Now imagine what drivers have to go through when they work beyond this. 

Your drivers are in a moving vehicle, on a highway, navigating through annoying traffic. The constant vibration builds up muscle tension and increases stress. 

Factors like this cannot be overlooked. 

Nobody wants to put their body through this much discomfort. Eventually, your drivers will want to quit just because of this difficulty. 

So, invest in comfortable and customizable seating arrangements for the drivers so that long trips are less harsh on your driver’s health.

Communicate Often 

Nobody knows how hard or easy a job is until they experience it firsthand. So, take it from your drivers who are on the road by themselves every day. Listen to your drivers when they express genuine concerns. When they bring to your notice some pressing problems that need immediate attention, look into those issues and see what you can do to make your driver’s life easy. 

Be open to feedback 

Put together a daily feedback protocol for each load. Allow your drivers to submit their concerns, feedback, and criticism for every load. Look into the data on a weekly basis and implement new processes and tools to improve your driver’s on-ground experience and performance. Assign priorities to each issue and address them through a streamlined process. 

Keep a check on their mental health 

Around one-third of U.S. truck drivers are likely to experience a road accident at some point in their career, which causes PTSD, anxiety, increased stress levels, and even depression. 

Let your drivers voice their mental health concerns through a mental health compliance helpdesk. 

Put together a panel to primarily address the mental health of your drivers. 

Look into their professional recommendations 

If your drivers are willing to provide some insights on the routes, protocols, compliance barriers, or other concerns, pay attention to their recommendations. They are much more familiar with the ground reality of trucking than your back-office staff. These insights can be used to optimize your existing protocols and processes, helping you save time and effort (maybe even costs).

Address constructive feedback with a positive outlook

If you’re receiving complaints from your drivers about specific issues, it will help you, in the long run, to attend to their concerns now. 

Major accidents, downtime, road trouble, and other difficulties can be easily avoided if you just listen to the feedback coming from your drivers.

Try to approach this feedback as improvisation techniques disguised as constructive criticism.

Offer Training Programs

Most drivers are open to receiving training to improve and manage their skills. So, partner with an authentic and licensed training provider who is ready to schedule and provide valuable training to your drivers per their availability. 

Validate their training with certification 

Look at training institutes that offer certification programs. Your business and your truck drivers are investing a fair amount of time and money into the course/training offerings. So, it’s only fair for your drivers to receive a certificate to recognize the training and the time invested. These certificates must be valid and should enable the drivers to add to their profiles. 

Offer the latest training material 

Don’t provide the training just for the sake of it. Help your drivers comply with the latest rules and regulations per the recommendations of FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration). The learnings in the course/training should translate to solutions for real-life complexities that your drivers come across every day. 

Provide relevant training per their experience 

Not all drivers need the same training. A beginner truck driver will need to be familiar with highway compliance requirements and regulations. And a seasoned driver may need advanced training in troubleshooting, managing downtime crises, and re-routing. 

So, understand and assess the level of expertise of your drivers and assign the training courses per their experience and knowledge of your drivers.

Embrace The Latest Technology 

Advanced GPS technology

Unlike regular drivers, highway truck drivers use unique real-time GPS technology which enables them to view the traffic, weather, and navigation complexities. Some of these systems can be connected with your intercom for easier communication, process implementation, and load/task management. Additionally, this will help improve overall operational efficiency.

Mobile apps with FMCSA compliance

The compliance requirements are different for each state. So, when your drivers are assigned interstate freight orders, they must be familiar with the changing regulations per the FMCSA. Get an FMCSA-compliant mobile app for your truck driver, stay connected with them throughout, and help them be safe on highways. 

Summary

  • Recognize the hardworking drivers
  • Pay attention to their needs
  • Appreciate your drivers’ efforts
  • Reward your drivers with useful incentives and better pay
  • Improve work safety and culture 

Managing a trucking business is not easy. You probably know that.

But do you know what else is not easy? 

Managing and eFiling all your heavy highway vehicle tax  2290 returns at once.

However, EZ2290 changes this.

EZ2290 enables:

  • Quick and easy bulk data import 
  • Real-time TIN matching 
  • Dynamic form completion 
  • Automatic tax calculations 
  • Secure & encrypted eFile transmissions
  • Free 2290 VIN Corrections 
  • Free re-files for rejected returns 
  • Online options to pay your HVUT with convenience
  • Priority 2290 tax support 

EZ2290 is an IRS-authorized eFile provider. 10,000+ trucking companies, fleet companies, and self-employed truckers trust us. 
So, get started for free and manage your 2290 filings effectively and efficiently.

Related Form 2290 Blog Posts

What Is Form 2290 Amendment And How To File An Amended 2290 Return Online?

Posted on June 17, 2022 - 11:51 am by
Form 2290 Amendments

Prepare, validate, and eFile Form 2290 Amendment online with EZ2290 in just a few easy steps.

Change is the only constant – Heraclitus, Greek Philosopher.

This may apply to most things in life. 

But it especially rings true for 2290 truck tax filings. 

Preparers and trucking businesses alike report information that seems correct at the time of filing, but eventually needs to be changed because of a change in the circumstance. 

For example, the taxable gross weight of the vehicle was reported, say, 58,000 pounds during May, but the vehicle was upgraded in June, which increased the taxable gross weight of the vehicle to 72,000 pounds. 

So, of course, this information needs to be changed. As a result, you need to file a Form 2290 Amendment to “amend” the reportable vehicle information.

But why?

This is to communicate to the IRS about the latest changes to the information that is used to assess and impose a tax on the trucking company. 

This is why Form 2290 Amendment is one of the most important forms in the heavy truck tax filing regime. 

But what else can be “amended” with Form 2290 Amendment? 

And is Form 2290 Amendment a separate form on its own? 

Let’s take a look at all such questions and more in the following discussion. 

So, let’s get to it.

What Is Form 2290 Amendment?

Form 2290 Amendment is an IRS return that must be filed when there is a change in the reportable information of the heavy highway vehicle. 2290 Amendment must be filed separately in correspondence with the previously filed 2290 returns to “amend” the reportable vehicle information.

A Form 2290 Amendment must be filed if: 

  • There is an increase in the taxable gross weight of the vehicle 
  • If the heavy vehicle exceeds the mileage use limit

These are the only two scenarios for which a Form 2290 Amendment must be filed. 
If you want to amend or correct other reportable information, such as a VIN, then a 2290 VIN Correction form must be filed separately.

When Should You Amend Your 2290 Reports? 

There are two scenarios in which you’d be required to file a 2290 Amendment form.

If the taxable gross weight of your vehicle increases from 55,000 to a higher weight limit, then you must file a Form 2290 Amendment. This is to communicate to the IRS about the change in the taxable gross weight of the vehicle. 

What does this do? 

When the gross weight of the vehicle increases, it is more likely to wear off the highways. 

The IRS taxes heavier vehicles more than the lighter (yet still heavy) vehicles because of his reason. 

So, let’s say that the gross weight of your vehicle increased to 72,000 pounds, then the IRS would start taxing you per the standardized rates as follows. 

2290 Amendment form

Note: If the taxable gross weight of the vehicle decreases below the 55,000 pounds threshold or if your vehicle simply weighs less than 55,000 pounds, then your vehicle doesn’t qualify for 2290 Heavy Highway Vehicle Usage Tax (HVUT).

When your vehicle exceeds the mileage use limit, you’d be required to file a Form 2290 Amendment. This is to communicate to the IRS about the increase in the mileage utility above the prescribed limits. 

A non-agricultural, commercial truck that meets the HVUT weight limit can utilize up to 5,000 miles without being taxed. And when a vehicle is not taxed, it’s called a “suspended” vehicle because it is “suspended” from taxes. 

Even though you don’t have to pay taxes on suspended vehicles, you’ll still need to file a 2290 tax return. 

Similarly, an agricultural vehicle can utilize up to 7500 miles without being taxed. 

However, when the mileage limit exceeds, i.e, when the commercial vehicle exceeds the 5000-mile limit or when the agricultural vehicle exceeds the 7500-mile limit, the 2290 HVUT tax will be applicable to the vehicles, automatically revoking the “suspension” status of the vehicle. 

In both of these cases, you will need to file a Form 2290 Amendment to the IRS.

How To eFile Form 2290 Amendment Online? 

Filing a Form 2290 Amendment online is actually quite easy when you’re signed up with an IRS-authorized 2290 eFile provider like EZ2290.

EZ2290 enables:

  • Quick and easy bulk data import 
  • Real-time TIN matching 
  • Dynamic form completion 
  • Automatic tax calculations 
  • Secure & encrypted eFile transmissions
  • Free 2290 VIN Corrections 
  • Free re-files for rejected returns 
  • Online options to pay your HVUT with convenience
  • Priority 2290 tax support 

So, what are you waiting for? 

Get Started For Free

Related Form 2290 Blog Posts

Everything You Need To Know About 2290 Suspended Vehicle Category

Posted on June 16, 2022 - 7:25 am by
Form 2290 Suspended Vehicle Category

Understanding suspended vehicle category, factors that determine a vehicle’s suspension status, and tips to file Form 2290 easily.

Compared to a regular vehicle, a heavy vehicle is more likely to wear and tear the highways. This is why the heavy highway vehicle owners are required to comply with the U.S. tax laws and pay the Heavy Highway Vehicle Usage Tax, also known as “Form 2290 tax” on the heavy vehicles. 

However, not all heavy vehicles need to pay taxes. Certain factors determine if a vehicle qualifies for heavy highway vehicle usage tax (HVUT). 

The following will discuss the regulatory definition of suspended vehicles per the HVUT reporting regime, factors that determine a suspended vehicle category, and much more. 

So, let’s get started. 

What Qualifies A Vehicle For HVUT?

In order to understand what doesn’t qualify for HVUT, let’s look at what are HVUT vehicles and the 2290 tax reporting criterion. 

A vehicle must meet the following requirements to be qualified for HVUT taxes. 

  • The vehicle must weigh 55,000 pounds or more 
  • The vehicle utilizes the highways for commercial/regular and agricultural transportation 
  • The vehicle drives within the mileage usage limit (MUL) of 5000 miles (for non-agricultural vehicles) and 7500 miles (for agricultural vehicles). 

When a vehicle meets the above requirements, it qualifies for HVUT taxes.

Form 2290 must be filed with the IRS to report the vehicle information and pay the 2290 HVUT taxes.

What Is The Vehicle Suspension Category? 

When highway vehicles do not meet the HVUT 2290 tax reporting requirements, under the current HVUT reporting regime, then such a vehicle is subject to a “suspension” of tax, automatically putting the vehicle in the “suspended vehicle category”. 

What Are Form 2290 Suspended Vehicles? 

2290 Suspended vehicles are vehicles that have been suspended from 2290 HVUT taxes. The truck owners of such vehicles need not pay the HVUT tax, but need to file a Form 2290 specifying the suspended vehicle information, such as the mileage use limit.

Factors That Determine Suspended Vehicles Under 2290 Suspended Vehicle Category 

A vehicle is “suspended” from taxes if it meets the following.

  • The vehicle drives less than 5000 miles in a tax year (for non-agricultural vehicles)
  • The vehicle drives less than 7500 miles in a tax year (for agricultural vehicles)

When a vehicle meets the above requirements, it is considered to be “suspended” from the HVUT 2290 taxes. 

Even if a vehicle is in the suspended vehicle category, the truck owners (no matter the number) must report the vehicle information and file Form 2290 to stay compliant with the IRS.

How To File Form 2290 For Suspended Vehicles?

Just like a regular taxable vehicle, a suspended vehicle’s tax information must also be reported on IRS Form 2290. 

The “statement in support of suspension” section of Form 2290 must be used to report the suspended vehicle information. The section requires the filer to report the following information.

  1. Mileage use limit of the vehicle (5000 for non-agricultural vehicles and 7500 miles for agricultural vehicles)
  2. Vehicle identification number of the suspended vehicle
  3. The period for which the vehicle retains its 2290 tax suspension status.
How To File Form 2290 For Suspended Vehicles?

You can easily prepare your 2290 tax forms and file the HVUT tax forms to the IRS securely with EZ2290.

EZ2290 enables: 

  • Quick and easy bulk data import
  • Real-time TIN matching
  • Dynamic form completion
  • Automatic tax calculations
  • Secure & encrypted eFile transmissions
  • Free 2290 VIN Corrections
  • Free re-files for rejected returns
  • Online options to pay your HVUT with convenience
  • Priority 2290 tax support 

EZ2290 is an IRS-authorized eFile provider trusted by 10,000+ truckers, trucking businesses, and fleet companies.

So, get instant tax assistance and start preparing your 2290 forms for HVUT eFile. 

Sign Up Now & eFile Form 2290 Online

Other Useful Form 2290 Posts

Form 2290 VIN Correction: How To Correct Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Online In 2022?

Posted on June 15, 2022 - 11:33 am by
Form 2290 VIN Correction

IRS rejected your 2290 forms citing “invalid/incorrect VINs”? Learn how to get your VINs corrected online quickly and easily in just a few minutes.

Vehicle Identification Number

It’s a simple identification code used by the IRS to identify and validate your vehicle’s tax compliance history. 

So, when you report an incorrect VIN in your 2290 eFile, wherein you either mistype the VIN or enter an incorrect VIN in the 2290 forms, the IRS might reject your returns, citing “invalid/incorrect reportable information”. 

You’re not the first business to make such a mistake, and you certainly won’t be the last. So, there’s no need to panic. 

The IRS Form 2290 has a VIN Correction box dedicated just to VIN Corrections. This should give you an idea of how common and repetitive this error has become. 

Correcting an incorrect VIN for 2290 eFile is actually quite easy and doesn’t require a lot of time or effort. 

What you’ll need: 

  • Previously eFiled 2290 Returns 
  • Verified Vehicle Information
  • Vehicle Identification Number

The following will discuss in length the best way to correct your VINs to eFile Form 2290 VIN Corrections online.

So, let’s get started. 

Use Online Tools To Validate Your VIN 

The most important step for correcting an incorrect VIN is to check its validity of the VIN. Check if the VIN that you have is in accordance with the federal records. Use online VIN check tools like this one to validate the vehicle identification number. Check the vehicle information as well, just to be extra sure. 

After validation, you can conclude if the VIN is correct. And if it is correct, then you’ve probably entered an incorrect VIN during the 2290 Form preparation process. Proceed to the next step for this. 

However, if you figure out the VIN you hold is an incorrect or an invalid one, you need to obtain the correct VIN for your vehicle. Use this vehicle identification number guide to obtain the correct VIN for your vehicle. 

Report Verified VIN In HVUT Form 2290 

If you’re populating the 2290 form manually, make sure that you’re entering the vehicle identification number accurately. This is critical for 2290 reporting. So, make sure that you go back and double-check every character in the VIN.

If you’re correcting multiple VINs, it’s best to automate your VIN reports through EZ2290’s automatic form population process. 

In order to enable this, you will need to import your data to EZ2290’s secure, end-to-end encrypted platform. 

Select 2290 Form VIN Correction from your user dashboard, and EZ2290 will populate your 2290 return with the correct VINs. However, you will still need to review the VINs (just to be extra sure). 

Do not forget to check the “VIN Corrections” box at the top of the 2290 return. This is to signify that the 2290 return is exclusively being filed for VIN Corrections.

eFile Form 2290 VIN Correction 

Filing your HVUT Form 2290 VIN Correction is the most important part of your 2290 VIN Correction regime.

This is the only way to communicate to the IRS that you’ve previously reported incorrect VINs and you intend to correct the information with a Form 2290 VIN Correction. 

Follow the steps below to eFile Form 2290 VIN Correction easily with EZ2290. 

Step 1: Create an account to get started. 

Step 2: Validate the VINs 

Step 3: Report the corrected VINs accurately

Step 4: Verify your reports

Step 5: eFile Form 2290 VIN Correction 

Get Started Now & File Your VIN Corrections

Other Useful Form 2290 Posts

A Go-To 2290 eFile Checklist Every Trucking Business Must Use Before eFiling HVUT Form 2290 In 2022-2023

Posted on June 13, 2022 - 11:20 am by
Form 2290 eFile Checklist

Use this checklist to check and eFile Form 2290 accurately. Comply better with a checklist that helps you review your HVUT tax forms better.

You must be using checklists for a variety of things in your daily life. 

And why not? It’s a good habit. It helps you stay organized.

Besides, it’s always a good idea to have a point of reference to which you can cross-verify your own processes.

But when it comes to filing your HVUT tax form 2290 (or any tax form for that matter), checklists play an important role. 

These quick task lists help you validate if you have completed all the steps or protocols necessary to stay compliant with the 2290 regulatory procedures.

So, today, let’s look at the EZ2290 HVUT compliance checklist, designed to help you quickly review your prepared 2290 forms, and correct any information prior to eFiling.

Let’s get to it.  
A quick heads up: The 2290 Early Filing season is officially in. You can file your 2290 forms early with EZ2290’s 2290 Pre-Filing program. Follow the checklist below and Pre-File 2290 Online effortlessly.

Use The EZ2290 HVUT Compliance Checklist To Review Your 2290 Returns Before eFiling 

  • Check your business name
  • Validate your TIN/EIN 
  • Look for incorrect vehicle identification numbers 
  • Double-check the vehicle category 
  • Validate suspended vehicles 
  • Compute HVUT accurately 
  • Fill out both copies of Schedule 1 
  • eFile Form 2290 before the IRS deadline

Take a screenshot of this checklist and pin it to your desktop, or print it out and pin it to your workspace. The goal is to check each thing off the list as you complete the tasks.

Check your business name

Look for misspelled words, and verify the business name reported in the 2290 form per the IRS records.

Validate Your TIN/EIN

Reporting your taxpayer identification number or employer identification number accurately is critical for any tax filings. 

The IRS will reject your filings if the TIN reported on the form is incorrect. 

Further, the IRS may assess TIN discrepancy penalties on your business, where each incorrect TIN can cost you at least $240 in penalties (plus interest). 

Use real-time TIN Matching solutions offered by EZ2290 to validate your TINs and report verified TINs. 

If you’re a paid preparer, this step becomes that much more crucial because you don’t want to mix up the data provided by your clients.

Look For Incorrect Vehicle Identification Numbers 

Large fleet companies and trucking companies deal with several vehicles. And you need to report the VINs for all vehicles that qualify for HVUT. 

A vehicle identification number is a combination of alphabets and numbers. And when you’re in a rush to file your 2290 forms, it’s easy to confuse and report the characters incorrectly. 

So, use online VIN Check tools to look up the VINs and verify the codes before you report them on Form 2290. 

And if you’ve already reported VINs, it’s always a good idea to verify the accuracy before eFiling the 2290 form.

Double-Check The Vehicle Category 

Verify the vehicle categories per the paperwork. 

Make sure that you’re separating commercial trucks from agricultural ones. 

You will have to pay additional tax if you’re reporting your vehicles incorrectly. 

Validate Suspended Vehicles 

Assess the vehicle weight, mileage use limit, and the month of first use to determine the tax suspension status of the vehicles. 

For some businesses, vehicles that were previously suspended from the tax will qualify for taxes in successive periods due to the lapse of time and the increase in the mileage use limit. 

So, make sure that you’ve filed the 2290 Amendments for the same, and then report the vehicles for the partial or annual tax period. 

Compute HVUT Accurately 

Use the tax computation section of Form 2290 to figure out the HVUT for each vehicle. 

HVUT Tax Computation
HVUT Tax Computation

Enter the number of vehicles in the columns, and calculate the tax. Now, if you’ve paid any additional tax for an increase in the taxable gross weight of the vehicle, then you must add the tax amount with the computed amount. The sum of the two figures would be the total tax you owe. 

Example: Computed tax amount is $466 and the additional tax paid is $100, then the total tax you owe would be $566.00

Automate your 2290 calculations with EZ2290’s built-in dynamic HVUT tax calculator. 

Try It Now For Free

Fill Out Both Copies Of Schedule 1 

Fill out both copies of the 2290 return. This is especially important if you’re filing by mail because a copy of the 2290 Schedule 1 will be sent back to you as “proof of payment”. And if you’re eFiling with a dynamic HVUT compliance tool like EZ2290, you can just copy-paste the data, saving you time. 

But if manual data entry seems like a hassle, you can leverage Managed Services, where your 2290 returns will be prepared, validated, and eFiled on your behalf effectively. 

Learn More About 2290 eFile Services From Ez2290

eFile Form 2290 Before The IRS Deadline 

There is no one, common, universal deadline for all 2290 forms. This is because of the versatility of the trucking business. 

However, the common denominator is the month of first use. 

So, use the following filing schedule to prepare and eFile 2290 returns on time. Avoid late filing penalties and interests. 

If The Vehicle Is First Used During File 2290 And Pay HVUT ByEnter This Date On Form 2290, Line 1
JulyAugust 31YYYY07
AugustSeptember 30YYYY08
SeptemberOctober 31YYYY09
OctoberNovember 30YYYY10
NovemberDecember 31YYYY11
DecemberJanuary 31YYYY12
JanuaryLast day of FebruaryYYYY01
FebruaryMarch 31YYYY02
MarchApril 30YYYY03
AprilMay 31YYYY04
MayJune 30YYYY05
JuneJuly 31YYYY06

eFile Form 2290 For 2022-2023 Tax Period

Other Useful Form 2290 Posts

What Is A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) & How To Read VIN Number?

Posted on June 8, 2022 - 8:42 am by
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Learn everything you need to know about vehicle identification numbers, techniques to quickly read a VIN, and ways to eFile 2290 VIN Corrections.

Trucking companies are all too familiar with VINs. And if you’ve been in the trucking industry long enough, you just know how important a VIN is in the HVUT 2290 reporting regime. 

Without a VIN, it’s impossible to report and file your HVUT 2290 tax forms

In this discussion, let’s take a look at some of the most on-demand questions about VIN as follows.

Table of Contents

  • What Is A VIN?
  • How To Read A Vehicle Identification Number?
  • How To Correct An Incorrect VIN Reported On Form 2290?

What Is A VIN?

VIN = Vehicle Identification Number. It’s a unique combination of numbers and letters assigned to each vehicle for identification. 

When you enter a VIN in a VIN search tool, you will be able to view the vehicle’s entire history right from the date of manufacturing. 

Any accidents, criminal records, traffic tickets, and other reports about the vehicle’s physical state and legal status can be viewed with a simple VIN lookup. 

How To Read A Vehicle Identification Number?

A vehicle identification number is a combination of numbers and letters for a reason. 

The codes are distinct, and each set of characters represents a unique aspect of the vehicle information. 

Let’s look at a random vehicle identification number. 

VIN: 1FTFX1E57JKE37092

The first 3 characters of the VIN: ‘1FT’ are the world manufacturer’s identifiers or WMIs. The WMIs are assigned to global manufacturers by The Society of Automotive Engineers. 

The next 5 digits (digit 4 to digit 8) ‘FX1E5’ represent the vehicle information, such as model type, body type, engine, transmission, and restraint type.

The 9th digit of the VIN is known as the check digit, which allows you to verify the authenticity of the VIN. This allows you to check if the whole VIN is valid and authentic. 

The remainder of the VIN digits, i.e, digits 10 through 17 are a combination of letters and numbers. These digits are known as vehicle identifiers. 

Understanding Vehicle Identifiers In VIN

The letters in the vehicle identifier series represent the vehicle’s model year. 

So, if the VIN contains any of the following letters, it means that the letter represents a specific year of the vehicle model.

Note that letters I, O, U, Z, and Q and the number ‘0’ are not used in VINs. 

This is because the letters used in a VIN are often capitalized and can be confused with other similar-looking letters. Capitalized ‘I’ looks like 1 in certain fonts. Similarly, Q and O can be confused with 0. This format was standardized during the early 1980s and is in practice to this day.

Follow the chart below to validate the vehicle model year.

Understanding Vehicle Identifiers In VIN
Understanding Vehicle Identifiers In VIN

Source: https://www.alldata.com/us/en/support/repair-collision/article/vin-to-year-chart 

The 11th digit represents the manufacturer’s plant code.

Starting from digit 12 to digit 17, the set represents the production line number of the vehicle. 

How To Correct An Incorrect VIN Reported On Form 2290?

If you’ve previously reported an incorrect VIN on your 2290 returns, you can easily correct it with the 2290 VIN Correction form. 

But before you get to that, verify the VINs online using free VIN Check tools. 

Follow the steps below to correct your VINs and eFile Form 2290 VIN Correction securely. 

  1. Log in or create your free EZ2290 account 
  1. Select VIN Correction from the EZ2290 user dashboard 
  1. Select ‘VIN Correction’ on the 2290 form
  1. Enter a verified vehicle identification number. 
  1. Review the 2290 returns and validate the information 
  1. eFile 2290 VIN Correction securely with EZ2290 

Get Started For Free & eFile 2290 VIN Correction

Recent Posts Related To Form 2290

What Are EIN, VIN, Taxable Gross Weight (TGW), And 2290 Amendments?

Posted on June 7, 2022 - 11:28 am by
EIN, VIN, Taxable Gross Weight (TGW)

Familiarize yourself with the most common terminologies used in HVUT 2290 tax information reporting, such as EIN, VIN, Taxable Gross Weight (TGW), and 2290 Amendments.

The trucking community is one of the most hardworking communities out there. 

That’s a fact. 

Every year, around May-June, trucking companies, self-employed truckers, and large fleet owners prepare and file 2290 forms. 

This is because the pre-filing season (a specific period allotted to truck tax filers to file their 2290 forms early) begins in May and ends by the end of June of the calendar year.

The actual filing season starts on July 1 of the calendar year. 

If you’re wondering, yes; the IRS follows the July-June cycle for truck tax filings. 

Now, Form 2290 reporting requires businesses to gather a variety of information as follows:

And more. 

If you’re a beginner (Hi! Check out EZ2290), you must be a little confused with all these sound-alike terminologies thrown around. 

But don’t worry, this guide will help you get familiar with all such terminologies and give you the context needed to understand them.

So, let’s get to it.

Table of Contents

  • Understanding Form 2290
  • What is a VIN?
  • What Is EIN?
  • What’s the difference between EIN and VIN?
  • What Is the Taxable Gross Weight of a vehicle?
  • What is a 2290 Amendment?

Before we get to the actual terminologies, let’s understand what Form 2290 is for, and its functions.

Understanding Form 2290: Quick Facts

  • Form 2290 is an IRS return that specifically deals with heavy highway vehicle usage tax or HVUT. 
  • Vehicles that weigh 55,000 pounds or more qualify for HVUT taxes. (More on this later)
  • HVUT Form 2290 reports certain vehicle information, such as the vehicle weight, month of first use, VIN, and more.
  • Form 2290 also reports some basic business details, such as EIN, business address, legal name of the entity, and so on. 
  • This information helps the IRS identify the business, and use the HVUT reports to tax the entities appropriately. 

Now, it’s time to get to the terminologies (the whole reason you’ve clicked on this reading).

What is a VIN?

V = Vehicle

I = Identification
N = Number 

  • VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is a unique combination of letters and numbers. 
  • A VIN is assigned to a  vehicle for the purpose of identification. 
  • It can be used to identify and track the vehicle’s history, right from the date of its manufacturing to its recent traffic records. 
  • It is a unique code assigned to decode the manufacturer details, geographical origin, registered state, and other critical information about the vehicle. 
  • HVUT Form 2290 reports the VIN of the vehicle to help the IRS identify the vehicle and its usage status – based on which the IRS taxes the entity.

What is EIN?

E = Employer 

I = Identification

N = Number 

  • Employer Identification Number or EIN is a tax-paying entity’s identification number assigned by the IRS or the social security administration (SSA). 
  • EIN is a unique code used for identifying a business entity 
  • In order to get your returns accepted by the IRS, reporting a valid and correct EIN or TIN (taxpayer identification number) is critical.
  • Incorrect EIN reports could result in IRS TIN Discrepancy penalties. 

What’s the difference between EIN and VIN?

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN)
VIN assigned to a vehicle.EIN is assigned to an employer or a business.
VIN is necessary for reporting vehicle-related information.EIN is mandatory for all information reporting.
VIN is used for identifying a vehicle and collecting vehicle information and history.EIN is used for identifying a business and collecting its compliance history.

What Is the Taxable Gross Weight of a vehicle?

The total weight of a vehicle, without any prior deductions, is the gross weight of a vehicle. 

In the HVUT context, highway vehicles that weigh 55,000 pounds or more, are taxed per their weight and mileage utility. 

Here’s a table of the taxable gross weights and the qualified tax range that the IRS uses to tax your trucking company. 

What is a 2290 Amendment?

When you file Form 2290, you report all the aforementioned vehicle and business information. However, businesses tend to report information that doesn’t stand valid after filing.

For example, the gross weight of the vehicle could increase after the initial filing has been submitted. Or the mileage use limit of the vehicle could also change. 

Factors like this impact the tax burden on your business. And it’s why the IRS recommends businesses to update their reports by “amending” them. 

Essentially, when you file a Form 2290 Amendment, you’re “amending” the information and updating the records, so you don’t overpay your HVUT taxes. 

Form 2290 Amendment is not a new form, but it must be filed separately. 

Look at the 2290 form capture below.

If you plan on amending your 2290 reports, then you must file a Form 2290 Amendment.

But to do that, you need to select the “Amended Return” box above. 

As you can see, the IRS mandates that 2290 Amendments must be exclusively used for: 

  1. Amending the taxable gross weight of the vehicle 
  2. When the suspended vehicle exceeds its mileage use limit

Note: Suspended vehicles are usually exempt from HVUT as long as they operate within the prescribed miles. However, 2290  filing for tax suspended vehicles is still mandatory.

Where should you eFile Form 2290? 

As HVUT compliance experts, we recommend using a simplified eFiling platform like EZ2290, which enables you to eFile Form 2290 online in just 5 super-quick steps. 

Step 1: Create your free EZ2290 account

Step 2: Prepare your 2290 forms online

Step 3: Validate your 2290 reports

Step 4: Submit Form 2290 to the IRS

Step 5: Get IRS-stamped Schedule 1 instantly!

No more worrying about paperwork. No hidden costs. No mess. 

Get Started For Free to eFile 2290 Now

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