Fuel tax
IFTA Licensing & Quarterly Filing Help
The International Fuel Tax Agreement lets you file one fuel tax return covering every member jurisdiction — as long as your mileage and fuel records hold up.
Who needs IFTA
IFTA generally applies to qualified motor vehicles operating in two or more member jurisdictions — typically vehicles above a set weight threshold or with three or more axles. You license through your base jurisdiction, which issues credentials and collects your returns.
License, decals, and the cab card
- One license per carrier, with decals for each qualified vehicle.
- Decals are year-specific and must be displayed on the vehicle.
- A copy of the license is typically carried in the cab.
- If you are not IFTA-licensed, a temporary fuel permit may be required for that trip instead.
Quarterly returns and recordkeeping
- Returns are due quarterly, even for quarters with no travel.
- You report miles traveled and fuel purchased per jurisdiction; the return nets out what you owe or are owed.
- Keep trip records, fuel receipts, and mileage data (ELD or IVDR exports work well) for the retention period your jurisdiction requires.
- Poor records are the main reason IFTA audits go badly — estimates rarely survive review.
What we do
We help with new IFTA applications, renewals and decals, and quarterly return preparation through an independent provider. Tax owed goes to your base jurisdiction; preparation fees are separate and quoted up front.
Accuracy notice
Official government resources
Related permits and filings
More permit & compliance services
- Temporary Fuel PermitsShort-term fuel tax permits for trips into states where you don't hold IFTA credentials.
- Annual Oversize PermitsRecurring permits for repeat oversize configurations, and when single-trip still makes sense.
- Superload PermitsState-defined permits for unusually large or heavy moves that need extra route and engineering review.
- Pilot Car & Escort RequirementsWhat can trigger escorts, route surveys, or height poles, and how the rules differ by state.
- Motor Carrier AuthorityUSDOT numbers vs. operating authority, and the filings that usually come with getting started.
- Trucking Compliance ServicesUCR, BOC-3, IFTA, IRP, authority, and recurring compliance and audit-prep referrals in one place.
Request permit help
Send the details and an independent provider will follow up with what is required, timing, and pricing.
Who we are — and who we are not
DOT-Permits.com is an independent commercial information and referral service. We are not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA, or any state DOT.
Any service fee we or a partner provider charge is separate from, and in addition to, government permit fees, taxes, and filing fees charged by state or federal agencies.
Permit requirements, fees, routing rules, and processing times change frequently and vary by state, route, load, and season. Information on this site is general in nature, may not be current, and is not legal or regulatory advice. Always confirm details with the issuing state agency before moving a load.