Kansas IFTA Fuel Tax

IFTA Reporting and Filing Requirements in Kansas

Who Needs IFTA Registration in Kansas?

You generally need a Kansas International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) license if Kansas is your base jurisdiction and you operate a qualified motor vehicle in Kansas and at least one other IFTA member jurisdiction. Carriers may instead meet their fuel-tax obligations with trip permits on a trip-by-trip basis.

A qualified motor vehicle is one used, designed, or maintained to transport people or property and meets at least one of the following criteria:

• Has two axles and a gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds
• Has three or more axles, regardless of weight
• Is used in combination when the combined gross vehicle weight or registered gross vehicle weight exceeds 26,000 pounds

Recreational vehicles, including motorhomes, pickup trucks with attached campers, and buses, are not considered qualified motor vehicles when used exclusively for personal pleasure. The exemption does not apply when the vehicle is used for a business purpose.

What Are the IFTA Reporting Requirements in Kansas?

Kansas IFTA license holders must file Kansas IFTA Tax Return (Form MF-85) for every calendar quarter, even if no operations occurred or no taxable fuel was used. When filing online with no reportable activity, select the “No activity” option and submit the return.

You can file your quarterly IFTA return online through the Kansas Customer Service Center (KCSC) if your account is licensed and in good standing, or submit Form MF-85 and the required Schedule 85A forms by mail. 

Each return generally includes:

• Total miles traveled in all jurisdictions, reported by fuel type
• Total and taxable miles traveled in each jurisdiction
• Total fuel purchased and placed into qualified vehicles
• Tax-paid gallons purchased in each jurisdiction
• Average fleet miles per gallon
• The resulting tax due or credit for each jurisdiction

Kansas requires a separate Schedule 85A for each fuel type used.

Keep complete mileage and fuel records supporting every return, including trip dates, routes, odometer readings, jurisdictional mileage, vehicle identification, fuel receipts, and bulk-fuel records when applicable. You can review the requirements at the Kansas Agreement to Maintain Records (AUD-29). Records must be retained for at least four years from the return’s due date or filing date, whichever is later.

Failure to file required returns, pay taxes due, or maintain adequate records may result in revocation of the Kansas IFTA license.

How Do You File an IFTA Return in Kansas?

Kansas IFTA license holders can file quarterly returns online through the Kansas Customer Service Center if their accounts are licensed and in good standing. Carriers may also file by mail using Form MF-85 and the required Schedule 85A for each fuel type used.

1. Prepare Your IFTA Report

   Before filing, gather the mileage and fuel information needed to complete and support your return, including:

   • Total fleet miles traveled in all jurisdictions, reported by fuel type
   • Total and taxable miles traveled in each jurisdiction
   • Total fuel purchased and dispensed into qualified motor vehicles
   • Tax-paid gallons purchased in each jurisdiction
   • Individual vehicle trip and distance records
   • Fuel receipts and invoices
   • Bulk-fuel purchase, inventory, and withdrawal records, if applicable

   Kansas uses total fleet miles and total fuel to calculate average miles per gallon. Tax-paid gallons are then reported separately for each jurisdiction on Schedule 85A.

2. Submit Your IFTA Return

   You can file your quarterly return online through the Kansas Customer Service Center (KCSC) or mail the completed Kansas IFTA Tax Return (Form MF-85) to the Kansas Department of Revenue.

   Before submitting your return:

   • Review the completed return for accuracy.
   • Submit the return by the quarterly filing deadline.
   • Pay any tax due by the required due date.

   You must file a return every quarter, even if you had no operations or taxable fuel use during the reporting period. When filing online with nothing to report, select the “No activity” option and submit the return.

What Are the IFTA License Costs and Fees in Kansas?

Kansas charges $10 for the first qualified motor vehicle registered under a new IFTA account and $1 for each additional qualified motor vehicle. These fees cover the master IFTA license and one set of decals for each vehicle

Each decal set contains two decals, with one decal displayed on each side of the qualified motor vehicle.

Existing license holders can order additional decal sets online through the Kansas Customer Service Center if their accounts are licensed and in good standing. Carriers unable to order online can submit Form MF-23 by mail.

What Are the IFTA Penalties and Interest in Kansas?

Kansas may assess penalties and interest if you fail to file an IFTA return, file after the deadline, or underpay the tax due.

The penalty is $50 or 10% of the delinquent tax, whichever is greater. The $50 minimum applies to a late return even when no tax is due.

Interest is calculated separately on unpaid tax owed to each jurisdiction from the original due date until payment. Any part of a month counts as a full month. The IFTA interest rate for U.S.-based fleets is adjusted annually. For 2026, the annual rate is 9%, calculated monthly at one-twelfth of that rate.

Kansas may revoke an IFTA license for reasons including:

• Failure to file a quarterly return
• Failure to pay tax owed to member jurisdictions
• Failure to maintain required records
• Failure to pay or appeal an audit assessment
• Failure to post a required bond
• Payment returned for insufficient funds

To reinstate a revoked license, the carrier must file all required returns, pay all taxes, penalties, and interest, submit any requested records, file a new application, and pay the applicable registration fees. Kansas also requires a bond equal to three quarters of estimated tax liability, with a minimum bond of $1,000.

https://www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/KCSC/login.aspx

How Do You Renew an IFTA License in Kansas?

Kansas IFTA licenses are valid through December 31 and must be renewed annually. Carriers whose accounts are licensed and in good standing can renew online through the Kansas Customer Service Center.

1. Review Your Account Information Review the business and fleet information on your renewal application and determine how many decal sets you need for the upcoming year. Update any information that has changed before submitting the renewal.
2. Resolve Outstanding Obligations Kansas can issue renewed credentials only if:
   
   
   • Your IFTA license has not been revoked, suspended, or canceled
   • All required quarterly returns have been filed
   • All fuel taxes, penalties, and interest have been paid
   • Your account complies with applicable IFTA and Kansas requirements
   You can review all requirements in the Kansas Dept of Revenue IFTA Articles of Agreement Handbook.
3. Submit Your Renewal Renew online through the Kansas Customer Service Center or follow the instructions included with the renewal application mailed to you by the Kansas Department of Revenue. If you have questions, contact Kansas IFTA/Motor Fuel Refund / LFCL Department at 785-368-8222 or email kdor_mctaxes@ks.gov
   
   After the renewal is processed, Kansas will issue a new IFTA license and the decal sets ordered for the upcoming year.
4. Distribute Your New Credentials Carry a copy of the renewed IFTA license in each qualified motor vehicle and display one new decal on each side of the cab.
   
   Renewing carriers have a two-month grace period during January and February to display their new license and decals. During that period, qualified vehicles may operate with valid prior-year IFTA credentials. New-year credentials may be displayed beginning December 1.
   
   For assistance, contact the Kansas Department of Revenue Motor Fuel Tax section.

Simplify Your Kansas IFTA Reporting with eIFTA by Truckopedia

Tracking miles, fuel purchases, and tax calculations across multiple jurisdictions can take time and increase the risk of reporting errors. eIFTA by Truckopedia simplifies the entire process by helping you organize trip and fuel data, calculate your IFTA taxes, and generate accurate quarterly reports from one easy-to-use platform.

Whether you manage a single truck or an entire fleet, eIFTA helps you stay organized, reduce paperwork, and file your IFTA returns with confidence.

With eIFTA, you can:

• Track miles traveled across all IFTA jurisdictions
• Record and manage fuel purchases in one place
• Automatically calculate fuel taxes and credits
• Generate accurate quarterly IFTA reports
• Store trip and fuel records for easier compliance and audits

Start using eIFTA by Truckopedia today and spend less time on paperwork and more time keeping your business moving.