2290 Tax Season is Officially Open – What Truckers Need to Know for 2025-2026

The clock has started ticking – the IRS 2290 Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) filing season is now open for 2025-2026! For truckers and fleet owners, it’s time to get serious about filing Form 2290 before the August 31st deadline to avoid penalties and keep your rigs road-ready.

What is Form 2290?

Form 2290 is the IRS tax form used to report and pay the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax on vehicles with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more that operate on public highways. If you're in the trucking industry, this is a tax you simply can’t ignore.

Who Needs to File?

Anyone who owns and operates heavy vehicles – including:

• - Owner-operators - Fleet managers

  - Trucking companies - Agricultural and logging truckers

If your vehicle was used on or after July 1st, the tax period begins from that date and runs through June 30, 2026.

 What You'll Need to File:

• EIN (Employer Identification Number) – NOT your SSN.

• VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for each truck.

• Taxable gross weight of your vehicle(s).

• Mileage use category (especially important for suspended vehicles under 5,000 miles/year).

E-Filing: Fast, Easy, and IRS-Approved While you can file by paper, the IRS strongly encourages truckers to e-file Form 2290—especially if you're filing for 25 or more vehicles. But even if you’re filing for one truck, e-filing is faster, safer, and more accurate. Most e-file providers can generate your Schedule 1 in minutes, and many offer customer support in case you run into issues.

Don’t Forget About Mid-Year Changes Bought a new truck during the year? Sold a vehicle? You may need to:

• File an amendment

• Transfer credits

• Claim a refund 

• Adjust mileage use category

Stay on top of these events to avoid overpaying and to keep your records current.

Need Help Filing?

Whether you're a first-time filer or a seasoned fleet operator, you don't have to navigate the 2290 filing process alone. Our team is here to help you file quickly, accurately, and on time. Let us take the stress off your plate so you can focus on what matters most — keeping your business moving.

Don't wait until the deadline. File your 2290 today and keep your truck on the road! Questions? Contact us now to get started.