HVUT Form 2290 Penalties

IRS Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, is a significant tax form that heavy vehicle owners and operators must file annually with the IRS. Failure to comply with the regulations and deadlines outlined in this form can result in HVUT penalties.

Therefore heavy vehicle owners must pay the HVUT tax on time to avoid unnecessary financial burdens and ensure smooth operations on public highways.

Here, we will learn more about Form 2290, and the penalties associated with it and understand the critical aspects of filing the 2290 return accurately and on time.

About Form 2290

IRS Form 2290 is used to report and pay the HVUT tax for vehicles having a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more that operate on public highways.

The HVUT tax amount is determined based on the vehicle's taxable gross weight and whether it is used for the entire tax year or a partial period.

However, vehicles that run less than 5,000 miles (7,500 miles for agricultural vehicles) are considered tax-suspended vehicles. If you own such a vehicle, you are not required to pay the heavy vehicle tax but should file Form 2290.

Deadline for filing Form 2290

The IRS has imposed strict deadlines for filing Form 2290 and paying the HVUT tax amount. The typical tax year for the HVUT form runs from July 1st to June 30th of the following year. For vehicles first used on the road after July, the deadline is the last day of the month following the vehicle's First Use Month (FUM).

*If any due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, file by the next business day.

HVUT Form 2290 penalties

Failure to adhere to the HVUT requirements and missing the filing deadline can lead to significant penalties.

So, it's necessary to file Form 2290 on time to avoid unnecessary penalties and interest charges.

The penalties can vary depending on the following factors:

• Late filing penalty: If Form 2290 is not filed by the deadline, a penalty of 4.5% of the total tax amount due is imposed. This penalty accrues on a monthly basis and can go up to a maximum of 25% (up to five months) of the total tax due.
• Late payment penalty: Apart from the late filing penalty, there is also a penalty for late payment. This penalty is 0.5% of the total tax amount. You will also face an additional interest charge of 0.54% per month.
• Vehicle registration suspension: Non-payment or non-filing of the HVUT Form can lead to the suspension of the vehicle's registration, making it illegal to operate the vehicle on public highways until the tax is paid and the filing is complete.

In addition to these federal penalties, many states suspend the registration of vehicles for which proof of HVUT payment has not been provided. There are also penalties for filing false or fraudulent returns.

Penalty relief

To avoid penalties, you can show a reasonable cause* for failing to file Form 2290 or pay HVUT taxes on time and can request penalty relief by sending a letter to the IRS with an explanation.

*Do not attach this explanation when you file your return.

Form 2290 extension

If you need more time to file your Form 2290, you can request an extension before the due date of the return. You are required to write a letter with a full explanation for the cause of the delay and send it to:

Internal Revenue Service
7940 Kentucky Drive
Florence, KY 41042-2915

HVUT payment options

When it comes to payment options for tax obligations such as the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT), the IRS offers several HVUT tax payment options for taxpayers to pay their HVUT amount on time.

• Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW) - This payment method allows taxpayers to authorize the IRS to withdraw the tax amount directly from their bank account.
• Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) - EFTPS is an online system provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
  While using this payment option, you must schedule your EFTPS payment by at least 8 p.m. EST the day before the due date, to ensure your payment goes through within the deadline.
• Credit or Debit Card Payment - The IRS accepts credit/debit card payment options for HVUT payments though third-party payment providers. It supports major credit cards like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.

E-file Form 2290 with TaxZerone

File your 2290 return online and pay the tax due easily with TaxZerone starting at just $19.99/return. Our e-filing software supports all the electronic payment options authorized by the IRS to ensure your HVUT taxes are paid on time.