The new online service is free to truckers. Under the IFTA -- an international agreement designed to simplify fuel-tax filings for commercial drivers -- an interstate trucker can report all miles driven in the continental 48 states and Canada by filing a single return with a "base state."
The base state then shares information and transfers motor-fuel tax revenues to other states and provinces based on the truck's mileage in each jurisdiction. There are 58 IFTA jurisdictions, including 48 states and 10 Canadian provinces.
The IFTA online tax-filing program, funded by the Federal Commercial Vehicle Information System Network, is among the first of its kind in North America. The service was developed through a partnership between the Idaho State Tax Commission, the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Information Consortium, a wholly owned subsidiary of NIC, which manages Access Idaho.
"The Idaho State Tax Commission is excited to add IFTA filings to our growing list of online services," said Gordon Alleman, tax-automated-systems manager of the Idaho Tax Commission.
The system launched Sept. 5 and is currently accepting past due filings for the second quarter. The IFTA service increases efficiencies for agents and service providers who represent truckers: A single registration and login allows an agent to file returns for all clients, and completed returns are also stored online to simplify record keeping.
The online IFTA filing system helps reduce errors because the program does the math for the user. The system also automatically calculates any penalties or interest owed. Any amounts due can be paid online by credit card through Access Idaho's secure payment server. In addition, users can make payments by printing a hard copy voucher to mail with a check.
Idaho State Tax Commission
