Due dates for the next six quarters
| Quarter | Period | Return due |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd Quarter 2026 | Jul 1 – Sep 30, 2026 | Mon, Nov 2, 2026 (Oct 31 is a Saturday) |
| 4th Quarter 2026 | Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2026 | Mon, Feb 1, 2027 (Jan 31 is a Sunday) |
| 1st Quarter 2027 | Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027 | Fri, Apr 30, 2027 |
| 2nd Quarter 2027 | Apr 1 – Jun 30, 2027 | Mon, Aug 2, 2027 (Jul 31 is a Saturday) |
| 3rd Quarter 2027 | Jul 1 – Sep 30, 2027 | Mon, Nov 1, 2027 (Oct 31 is a Sunday) |
| 4th Quarter 2027 | Oct 1 – Dec 31, 2027 | Mon, Jan 31, 2028 |
What happens if you file late
A late return costs a penalty of $50 or 10% of the net tax due, whichever is greater, plus interest on any tax you owe for each month it is unpaid. A return that shows a credit is still late if it is filed after the due date, and a carrier that keeps filing late can have its IFTA license suspended or revoked.
Do I file if I didn't drive?
Yes. Every IFTA licensee files a return every quarter, even when the truck sat parked or never left the base jurisdiction. A "no operations" return still has to reach your base jurisdiction by the due date.
Where do I file?
With your base jurisdiction — the state or province that issued your IFTA license. It collects the tax for every jurisdiction you drove in and pays each of them its share, so you file one return, not one per state. Most jurisdictions take returns online.
Licenses, decals and records
- Renewal: IFTA licenses and decals run on the calendar year and expire December 31. Most jurisdictions honor the previous year's decals through the last day of February while you renew. Renewal guide.
- Records: keep trip records and fuel receipts for four years from the return's due date or filing date, whichever is later. An audit compares the miles you reported with those records, jurisdiction by jurisdiction.
Rather not do this every quarter?
We reconcile your fuel receipts and mileage and prepare the quarterly IFTA return for you, next to your driver files and hours of service.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Your base jurisdiction's rules and holiday calendar decide the final date. IFTAX is not affiliated with IFTA, Inc. or any government agency.