The four IFTA due dates
Under the IFTA Articles of Agreement (effective August 2026), R960.100, a quarterly return is due on the last day of the month after the quarter closes. Read against the calendar:
| Quarter | Return due |
|---|---|
| January to March | April 30 |
| April to June | July 31 |
| July to September | October 31 |
| October to December | January 31 |
A weekend or legal holiday moves the date to the next business day. A quarter with no miles still needs a return (R930.100).
Which trucks need IFTA
A qualified motor vehicle (R245) that travels in two or more member jurisdictions is one that has:
- two axles and a gross or registered gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds, or
- three or more axles, whatever the weight, or
- a combined weight over 26,000 pounds when used in combination.
Recreational vehicles are excluded.
What a filing service needs from a small fleet
- Miles by jurisdiction for each qualified vehicle, from the ELD's IFTA report or the trip sheets.
- Fuel by jurisdiction, from fuel card statements and receipts.
- The license and the jurisdiction the carrier is based in, where the return is filed.
Whoever files, the carrier keeps the records behind the return. IFTA sits beside the other annual and quarterly filings a small carrier owns: UCR for 2027 and the IFTA requirements in full.
Worked example: a five-truck carrier's third quarter
Illustration, not a customer
Four tractors ran in six states from July to September; the fifth sat in the shop all quarter. The return covers all five and is due October 31.
The office pulls the ELD's miles by state and the fuel card statement by state and hands both to the filing service by mid-October, which leaves time for the receipt gaps to be found.
Where FileFlo does the work
Most compliance tools track a date someone typed in and send a notice. FileFlo does the work behind the date: it reads each document, finds the date, checks it against the rule, files it where the rule wants it and works out what is due next, for every driver and every recurring item. UCR, HVUT 2290, IFTA and IRP deadlines are tracked, and each item closes when you confirm you filed or send the receipt. FileFlo does not file for you. An hourly list of everything missing or due within 45 days: your Today list. Nothing goes out to your drivers until you switch each routine on and choose who hears, how and when.
Sources
Checked
- IFTA Articles of Agreement, R245, R930 and R960 (effective August 2026), International Fuel Tax Association. Read October 21, 2026
Questions
When are IFTA quarterly returns due?
The last day of the month after each quarter closes: April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31. When that day falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the return is due the next business day (IFTA Articles of Agreement R960.100).
Do I file IFTA if my truck did not run this quarter?
Yes. R930.100 requires the quarterly return even if no operations were conducted.
Which trucks need IFTA?
A qualified motor vehicle under R245: two axles and a gross or registered gross vehicle weight over 26,000 pounds, or three or more axles regardless of weight, or used in combination when the combined weight exceeds 26,000 pounds, when it travels in two or more member jurisdictions. Recreational vehicles are excluded.
What does an IFTA filing service need from me?
Miles by jurisdiction for each qualified vehicle for the quarter, usually from the ELD or trip sheets, and fuel purchased by jurisdiction, from fuel card statements and receipts. The return is only as good as those two records.
Does FileFlo file IFTA for me?
No. FileFlo tracks the IFTA, UCR, HVUT 2290 and IRP deadlines and closes each item when you confirm you filed or send the receipt. You, your accountant or a filing service file the return.