IFTA filing tips to save money?

Atlanticus trucking · Nov 2, 2019

brian991219 said: ↑

Your IFTA should be a wash, really may end up only owing a few dollars or even getting a slight refund. You need to keep good account of fuel purchased, and also plan your fuel purchases in the state with the lowest price after deducting tax, not the lowest pump price.

Example, when I ran the NY, NJ and PA tri-state area I purchased most of my fuel in either PA or NY because the tax rate was close to equal. NJ looked like a bargain being .20-.30 per gallon cheaper at the pump, but they were only like .18 per gallon in tax and NY used to be .40. Being I ran 80% of my miles in NY I would end up owing the difference which made my fuel cost more then if I had of just bought the slightly higher pump price.

I would say you may be onto something if you didn't account for the tax paid at the pump.
Click to expand...

Concorde said: ↑

It's the actual gallons you bought in a particular state.

Tips? Everyone has their own method of how they purchase fuel in regards to IFTA. Personally I just buy it where I can get it the cheapest and pay what I owe when I file.. There really isn't a right way to do it because you pay one way or the other..
Click to expand...

Banker said: ↑

This free app may help you with your fueling choice. It gives you the option to choose lowest pump price or less IFTA. In your case you will choose less IFTA. View attachment 306939 View attachment 306940
Click to expand...

SoCalRed said: ↑

It has been a long time since I filed IFTA, but the way you save money is to buy the cheapest before tax fuel. The state will get their taxes no matter what. There is an app for that. Can't remember which one I'm sure someone will post it.
The cheapest before tax fuel right now is in Texas. So if you only fuel in Texas and drive everywhere (I know not possible) you will owe money to all the other states, but you will still pay less for fuel + taxes at the end. Remember the state will get their tax buying fuel there or not and the extra tax you paid Texas will be credited back to you.
I live in California the most expensive before tax fuel. I used to fuel here only if I had to.
Click to expand...

062 said: ↑

Maybe @Hulld can help walk you through it.
I file in nc and it basically fill in the blanks and it does it for me. That’s as long as you have everything broken down like miles per state and gallons per state.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone! Very helpful as always.

Atlanticus trucking · Nov 2, 2019

062 said: ↑

Maybe @Hulld can help walk you through it.
I file in nc and it basically fill in the blanks and it does it for me. That’s as long as you have everything broken down like miles per state and gallons per state.
Click to expand...

brian991219 said: ↑

Your IFTA should be a wash, really may end up only owing a few dollars or even getting a slight refund. You need to keep good account of fuel purchased, and also plan your fuel purchases in the state with the lowest price after deducting tax, not the lowest pump price.

Example, when I ran the NY, NJ and PA tri-state area I purchased most of my fuel in either PA or NY because the tax rate was close to equal. NJ looked like a bargain being .20-.30 per gallon cheaper at the pump, but they were only like .18 per gallon in tax and NY used to be .40. Being I ran 80% of my miles in NY I would end up owing the difference which made my fuel cost more then if I had of just bought the slightly higher pump price.

I would say you may be onto something if you didn't account for the tax paid at the pump.
Click to expand...

Concorde said: ↑

It's the actual gallons you bought in a particular state.

Tips? Everyone has their own method of how they purchase fuel in regards to IFTA. Personally I just buy it where I can get it the cheapest and pay what I owe when I file.. There really isn't a right way to do it because you pay one way or the other..
Click to expand...

Banker said: ↑

This free app may help you with your fueling choice. It gives you the option to choose lowest pump price or less IFTA. In your case you will choose less IFTA. View attachment 306939 View attachment 306940
Click to expand...

SoCalRed said: ↑

It has been a long time since I filed IFTA, but the way you save money is to buy the cheapest before tax fuel. The state will get their taxes no matter what. There is an app for that. Can't remember which one I'm sure someone will post it.
The cheapest before tax fuel right now is in Texas. So if you only fuel in Texas and drive everywhere (I know not possible) you will owe money to all the other states, but you will still pay less for fuel + taxes at the end. Remember the state will get their tax buying fuel there or not and the extra tax you paid Texas will be credited back to you.
I live in California the most expensive before tax fuel. I used to fuel here only if I had to.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone! Very helpful as usual. Much appreciated

zinita17601 · Nov 2, 2019

Atlanticus trucking said: ↑

Im web filing IFTA and my total owed is close to 2300 for the quarter for about 40k miles @ 8mpg. these numbers are based off of 0 tax paid miles.

What are tax paid miles? is there a possibility I have them that im not aware of?

Is there anything else im missing to drive down this number?

thank you
Click to expand...

Tax paid miles are for NY state,when u run the thruway and pay the tolls,the fuel tax is built in the tolls u already paid.

Hulld · Nov 2, 2019

brian991219 said: ↑

Your IFTA should be a wash, really may end up only owing a few dollars or even getting a slight refund. You need to keep good account of fuel purchased, and also plan your fuel purchases in the state with the lowest price after deducting tax, not the lowest pump price.

Example, when I ran the NY, NJ and PA tri-state area I purchased most of my fuel in either PA or NY because the tax rate was close to equal. NJ looked like a bargain being .20-.30 per gallon cheaper at the pump, but they were only like .18 per gallon in tax and NY used to be .40. Being I ran 80% of my miles in NY I would end up owing the difference which made my fuel cost more then if I had of just bought the slightly higher pump price.

I would say you may be onto something if you didn't account for the tax paid at the pump.
Click to expand...

This^^^^
Sorry I got to the party late lol.
I run NY to fl and back again.
I buy fuel in NY, NC and FL
I never have had to pay any IFTA on this fueling schedule

mhyn · Nov 2, 2019

SoCalRed said: ↑

It has been a long time since I filed IFTA, but the way you save money is to buy the cheapest before tax fuel. The state will get their taxes no matter what. There is an app for that. Can't remember which one I'm sure someone will post it.
The cheapest before tax fuel right now is in Texas. So if you only fuel in Texas and drive everywhere (I know not possible) you will owe money to all the other states, but you will still pay less for fuel + taxes at the end. Remember the state will get their tax buying fuel there or not and the extra tax you paid Texas will be credited back to you.
I live in California the most expensive before tax fuel. I used to fuel here only if I had to.
Click to expand...

Ca has highest ifta tax rate. Last quarter I did not buy fuel in CA and paid about $200 for my driven miles in CA.

SoCalRed · Nov 2, 2019

mhyn said: ↑

Ca has highest ifta tax rate. Last quarter I did not buy fuel in CA and paid about $200 for my driven miles in CA.
Click to expand...

Highest less IFTA price also. You are better off not fueling here unless you have to.
Someone posted the Fuelbook app use it at less IFTA mode to save on fuel and don’t worry about paying some at tax time.

USMC '74-'78 Semper Fi · Nov 3, 2019

Atlanticus trucking said: ↑

ah wow. i think it just clicked. the tax paid gallons column is where I paid for the fuel? I purchased in about 10 states at various truck stops / stations.
Yep per thats it...fill in the gals you purchased in each state...

Filing in NY on 2 trucks
Click to expand...

Snailexpress · Nov 3, 2019

mhyn said: ↑

Ca has highest ifta tax rate. Last quarter I did not buy fuel in CA and paid about $200 for my driven miles in CA.
Click to expand...

Is any people still living there? Last year 140,000 californians immigrated into my state.

mhyn · Nov 3, 2019

Snailexpress said: ↑

Is any people still living there? Last year 140,000 californians immigrated into my state.
Click to expand...

I am the last one down here. The last Mohican. I will not leave this holly land.

mover man · Nov 4, 2019

Get a copy of the fuel tax per state. Always buy some in the highest tax states. Other than that just buy when needed. Buying the cheapest pump price only. Will have you paying every quarter. So for me I always buy SOME like 100 gallons in Ny, Pa, Il, sometimes I get money back, sometimes I owe a few dollars. When I dont buy in those states I always winds up costing me $2-300 or more

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