TaxByte 2016-24

 


Consider e-Filing Those Form 2290 Returns

With the continued difficulties of having to get appointments at Walk-In IRS offices beginning next year for ALL offices and this year for selected offices, it may be time to consider e-filing all Form 2290 returns.

It is that time of year again. The Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax, for the July 2016 to June 2017 tax period, filing season is just beginning. And IRS wants all excise taxpayers to be aware - the IRS has been promoting a Web-First Strategy for several years. The goal is to educate and encourage taxpayers to save time and resources by taking advantage of the many IRS services offered on IRS.gov.

Though some taxpayers have the option of filing Form 2290 on paper, the IRS encourages all taxpayers to take advantage of the speed and convenience of filing this form electronically and paying any tax due electronically. Taxpayers reporting 25 or more vehicles must e-file.

The highway use tax applies to highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. This generally includes trucks, truck tractors and buses. Ordinarily, vans, pick-ups and panel trucks are not taxable because they fall below the 55,000-pound threshold. The tax of up to $550 per vehicle is based on weight, and a variety of special rules apply, explained in the instructions to Form 2290.

We all have likely heard many reasons individual’s or tax professionals are not interested in e-file; however, there are some ways to present this opportunity in a positive manner to counter their concerns. For instance:

  • “I need my Schedule 1 today.” -- the Schedule 1 is available immediately once the return is accepted (usually within minutes, less than 24 hours after filing) and filing can be done from the comfort of home without having to drive to the Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC), park (maybe even pay to park) and then wait in line, (or in the case of appointment TACs, call 844-545-5640 and wait for an appointment in the future).
  • “I don’t want to pay extra for e-file.” -- Although you can’t recommend a specific provider when taxpayers express concern about the fee to e-file, you can advise the cost varies by provider and can be as little as $6.95. Several providers offer rates under $9.99.

Even though IRS recognizes that taxpayers have been told about e-file before, it is crucial to ensure taxpayer’s understanding of the Taxpayer Service appointment process and how it affects their ability to obtain a Schedule 1 should they continue to rely on a TAC to process their 2290 return. 

Appointment information can be found here.

e-File 2290 Providers

A list of e-File 2290 providers can be found here

The following companies have passed the IRS Assurance Testing System (ATS) requirements for Software Developers of electronic Form 2290 Excise Tax Returns for returns prior to Tax Year 2016. Meeting the requirements means that the software can provide correct data in the proper format for processing by IRS systems. It does not mean that a software package includes every possible schedule or attachment, or that it will meet the needs of all filers. It is the filer's responsibility to contact the provider to determine if the software meets their needs. The providers are not listed in any particular order.

Software Provider

One Vehicle Fee

2 or More Vehicles Fee

Other Conditions

PILOT2290TAX LLC     

$ 29.99

 

$ 39.99

 

INSTANT 2290, Inc.   i2290.com    

$ 49.95

$ 49.95

 

eForm2290.com        

$ 29.95

$ 39.95

 

Fast 2290 LLC    

$ 29.99

 

 

Express 2290/ExpressTruckTax.com

$   9.90

$ 29.95

 

Simple2290   

$   6.95

$   9.95

2-6 vehicles

JJ Keller & Assoc, Inc.

 

 

$ 38.99 (1 Form 2290 with 1-24 vehicles)

Quarterly Express Plus/Lewis Software Associates, LLC

$ 19.95

 

Each filing

W3Techsoft, LLC

$ 14.95  

$ 49.95

 

ETAX2290 

$ 19.99  

$ 24.99

2-24 vehicles

Tax2290.com 

$ 29.99

$ 39.99

2-10 vehicles

RoadTax2290.com

$ 29.99

$ 39.99

2-10 vehicles

ez2290.com

$ 19.99

$ 24.99

vehicles 2-24

YourTruckTax.com

$ 29.99

$ 39.99

2-10 vehicles

simpletrucktax.com  

$   6.95

$   9.95

 

2290 ASAP

$ 32.95

 

unlimited number of vehicles

TruckDues.com

$   7.99

$ 14.99

vehicle 2

2290tax.com

$ 29.99

 

less than 24 vehicles

Greentax2290.com

$   9.97 (vehicle 1)   24.99 (vehicles 2-24)

$ 24.99

vehicles 2-24

HI - IDEALS IT SOLUTIONS LLC/USTRUCKTAX.COM

$   5.95 (vehicle 1)   8.95 (vehicles 2-6)

$   8.95

vehicles 2-6

Online Taxes Inc / OLP Prodesk

$699.00 unlimited returns (1040, 1065, 1120, 2290, 706, etc)

 

unlimited returns (1040, 1065, 1120, 2290, 706, etc)

Form2290.com

19.99 (vehicle 1)   26.99 (vehicles 2-24)

$ 26.99

vehicles 2-24