Form 2290 Filing Walkthrough

How to Add a Taxable Vehicle

On the Vehicle Tax page, select Taxable Vehicle Information from the category list.

Click Add New Vehicle to enter the details of your taxable vehicle. If you have several vehicles, you can also use the bulk-upload option.

Enter the Vehicle Details

The Add Vehicle window asks for the following information:

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Enter the VIN exactly as it appears on your vehicle documents. The system accepts a 15-, 16-, 17-, or 19-character VIN.
• Weight Category: Select the vehicle's correct taxable gross-weight category from the dropdown.
• Logging Vehicle: Choose Yes if the vehicle qualifies as a logging vehicle. Otherwise, choose No.

Take a moment to check the VIN carefully. Avoid spaces, missing characters, or confusing the number 0 with the letter O.

The weight category should be based on the vehicle's taxable gross weight, including the truck, its usual trailer, and the heaviest load normally carried—not only its empty weight.

Save the Vehicle

Once all three details are correct, click Save.

The vehicle will appear in your taxable-vehicle list along with its VIN, weight category, logging status, and calculated tax.

If you need to report another taxable vehicle, click Add New Vehicle again and follow the same process.

Before continuing, make sure:

• The VIN matches your vehicle records.
• The correct weight category is selected.
• The logging vehicle answer is accurate.
• Every taxable vehicle included in the return has been added.

After reviewing the vehicle information, click Continue to Step 3.

Add a Suspended or Exempt Vehicle

If your truck is expected to stay within the IRS mileage limit for the tax period, you can report it as a suspended vehicle.

The mileage limit is generally:

• 5,000 miles or less for a regular highway vehicle
• 7,500 miles or less for a qualifying agricultural vehicle

The truck still needs to be reported on Form 2290, but no HVUT is due while it stays within the applicable mileage limit.

Choose Reporting Suspended/Exempt Vehicle, then click Add Suspended Vehicle. A form will open where you can enter the vehicle information.

Enter the VIN

Type the VIN exactly as it appears on the vehicle records. Check every character before moving on, since the VIN will also appear on Schedule 1 after the IRS accepts the return.

Select the Logging Status

Choose Yes if the truck qualifies as a logging vehicle. Otherwise, choose No.

Only select Yes when the vehicle meets the IRS requirements for a logging vehicle.

Select the Agricultural Vehicle Status

Choose Yes if the truck qualifies as an agricultural vehicle. This type of vehicle may travel up to 7,500 miles during the tax period and remain suspended.

For other suspended highway vehicles, choose No. The regular 5,000-mile limit will apply.

Don't Enter the Same VIN Twice

A vehicle cannot be reported as both taxable and suspended in the same filing.

If you have already entered a VIN under Taxable Vehicle Information, do not enter that same VIN again under Suspended/Exempt Vehicle. Place each truck in the category that matches how it will be used during the tax period.

Save the Vehicle

Review the VIN, logging status, and agricultural vehicle answer. When everything is correct, click Save.

The truck will appear in the suspended-vehicle list. Repeat the same process if you have other suspended vehicles to report.

Before continuing, make sure every VIN is correct and no vehicle has been entered in both the taxable and suspended sections.

If a suspended vehicle later goes over its mileage limit, the suspension will end and the HVUT may become due.

Add a Prior-Year Suspended Vehicle

Use this section when a vehicle was reported as suspended on your previous Form 2290 return, but its status later changed.

Choose Prior Year Suspended/Exempt Vehicle, then add the vehicle information.

Enter the VIN

Start by entering the Vehicle Identification Number exactly as it appeared on last year's return. Check the VIN carefully against your Schedule 1 or vehicle records before continuing.

Tell Us What Happened to the Vehicle

Choose the option that matches the vehicle's current status:

• Exceeded Mileage Use Limit: Select this if the vehicle went over the suspended mileage limit during the previous tax period. The usual limit is 5,000 miles for a regular highway vehicle or 7,500 miles for a qualifying agricultural vehicle.
• Sold/Transferred: Select this if you sold the vehicle or transferred it to another owner during the previous tax period.

If the vehicle exceeded its mileage limit, the suspension no longer applies, and HVUT may be due.

Enter the Sale or Transfer Details

If you choose Sold/Transferred, enter the name of the person or business that received the vehicle.

Then select the date when the vehicle was sold or transferred. Use the actual date shown in your sale or transfer records.

These details are only needed when the vehicle was sold or transferred.

Save the Information

Before clicking Save, check that:

• The VIN matches the vehicle reported as suspended last year.
• You selected the correct reason.
• The buyer or new owner's details are correct, if applicable.
• The sale or transfer date is accurate, if applicable.

Once everything looks right, click Save. Repeat the process if you need to report another prior-year suspended vehicle.

Do not use this section for a vehicle being reported as suspended for the first time in the current tax period. Add that vehicle under Reporting Suspended/Exempt Vehicle instead.

Add a Credit Vehicle That Was Sold, Destroyed, or Stolen

Use this section when you already paid Form 2290 tax on a vehicle, but the vehicle was later sold, destroyed, or stolen during the same tax period.

The IRS allows a prorated credit when the event occurred before June 1. The credit covers the unused part of the tax period—it does not return the full tax already paid. Review the current IRS Form 2290 instructions for the official rules.

Choose Sold, Destroyed or Stolen Vehicle (Credit) and add the vehicle's information.

Enter the VIN

Enter the VIN exactly as it appeared on the Form 2290 return you filed earlier.

Take a moment to compare it with the vehicle records or stamped Schedule 1. The VIN used for the credit must match the VIN from the original filing.

Choose the Weight Category

Select the taxable gross-weight category used when the vehicle was originally reported.

Don't choose the vehicle's current weight or make a new estimate. Use the same weight details from the return on which the tax was paid.

Enter the First-Used Month

Enter the first-used month reported on your previously filed Form 2290.

This is the month when the vehicle was first driven on a public highway during that tax period. The system uses this information when working out the available credit.

Enter the Date of the Event

Add the date when the vehicle was sold, destroyed, or stolen.

The event must have happened before June 1 to qualify for this credit. If it occurred on or after June 1, a credit is generally not available for that tax period.

Select the Logging Status

Choose Yes if the vehicle was originally filed as a qualifying logging vehicle. Otherwise, choose No.

This answer should match the vehicle information entered on the earlier return.

Choose the Type of Loss

Open the Type of Loss dropdown and select what happened:

• Sold – The vehicle was sold to another owner.
• Destroyed – The vehicle was damaged beyond economical repair.
• Stolen – The vehicle was taken and has not been recovered for use.

Choose only the option that matches your records.

Explain the Credit

Use the explanation box to briefly describe what happened. Keep it simple, but include the important details.

For example:

"The vehicle was sold on March 15, 2026. Form 2290 tax was previously paid for this vehicle."

If the vehicle was destroyed, mention the accident or event. If it was stolen, include the theft date and any available report details.

Upload Supporting Documents

Upload a PDF that supports your credit claim. The file can be up to 5 MB.

Depending on what happened, useful documents may include:

• Bill of sale or transfer document
• Insurance loss statement
• Accident or damage report
• Police theft report
• Vehicle title or registration record
• Copy of the previously filed Schedule 1

Keep the original records with your tax documents, even after uploading the PDF. IRS refund instructions require information such as the VIN, weight category, type and date of loss, credit calculation, and purchaser details when a vehicle was sold. See the IRS Schedule 6 instructions.

Check the Details and Save

Before clicking Save, make sure:

• The VIN matches the previously filed return.
• The original weight category is correct.
• The first-used month matches the prior filing.
• The logging status is unchanged.
• The correct type of loss is selected.
• The event date is before June 1.
• Your explanation and supporting document are clear.

Once everything looks right, click Save.

The credit will be calculated separately for that vehicle. If you have another sold, destroyed, or stolen vehicle, add it as a separate entry.

Add a Low-Mileage Credit Vehicle

Use this section when Form 2290 tax was paid for a vehicle, but the vehicle stayed within the IRS mileage limit for that entire tax period.

The mileage limit is:

• 5,000 miles or less for a regular highway vehicle
• 7,500 miles or less for a qualifying agricultural vehicle

This credit can only be claimed after the tax period has ended. You can claim it on the first Form 2290 filed for the next tax period or request a refund using Form 8849 and Schedule 6. Check the current IRS Form 2290 instructions for the official rules.

Choose Low Mileage Vehicles (Credit) and add the vehicle information.

Enter the VIN

Enter the VIN exactly as it appeared on the return where the tax was originally paid.

Compare it with your stamped Schedule 1 or vehicle records. Even one incorrect character could cause the credit information to be rejected or applied to the wrong vehicle.

Choose the Weight Category

Select the taxable gross-weight category reported on the original Form 2290 return.

Use the same category from the return on which you paid the tax. Don't enter a new category based on the vehicle's current weight.

Select the Logging Status

Choose Yes if the vehicle was reported as a qualifying logging vehicle on the original return. Otherwise, choose No.

The selection should match the details from your previously filed Form 2290.

Choose the Tax Year

Select the tax year for which the HVUT was paid.

Make sure you choose the completed tax period in which the vehicle stayed within the mileage limit—not the current filing period by mistake.

Select the First-Used Month

Choose the first-used month reported when the tax was originally paid.

This should be the month when the vehicle was first driven on a public highway during that tax period. Check your previous return if you're unsure.

Explain the Reason for the Credit

In the explanation box, briefly state that the vehicle stayed within the applicable mileage limit for the full tax period.

For example:

"Form 2290 tax was paid for this vehicle, but it traveled only 4,200 miles on public highways during the tax period."

For an agricultural vehicle, you can mention that it remained within the 7,500-mile limit.

Upload Supporting Documents

Upload your supporting records as a PDF. The file can be up to 5 MB.

Helpful documents may include:

• Mileage logs
• Odometer records
• Trip sheets or dispatch records
• Fuel and maintenance records
• Copy of the previously filed Schedule 1
• Documents showing agricultural use, when applicable

Keep the original records with your tax documents. The IRS may ask you to show that the vehicle remained within the mileage limit.

Review and Save

Before clicking Save, check that:

• The VIN matches the previously filed return.
• The original weight category is correct.
• The logging status matches the prior filing.
• The correct tax year is selected.
• The first-used month matches the return where the tax was paid.
• Your mileage explanation is clear.
• The supporting PDF has been uploaded.

Once everything looks right, click Save. Add each low-mileage vehicle separately if you're claiming credit for more than one.