Texas IFTA Fuel Tax

IFTA Reporting and Filing Requirements in Texas

Who needs IFTA Registration in Texas?

Businesses based in Texas must register for an International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) license if they operate qualified motor vehicles in Texas and at least one other IFTA member jurisdiction.

A vehicle qualifies for IFTA in Texas when it is used, designed, or maintained to transport persons or property and:

• 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 used exclusively for personal pleasure, are not considered qualified motor vehicles. The vehicle cannot be used in connection with a business to qualify for this exemption.

What Are the IFTA Reporting Requirements in Texas?

If Texas is your base jurisdiction and you hold a Texas IFTA license, you must file an IFTA fuel tax report for each calendar quarter.

Instead of filing separate fuel tax returns in every jurisdiction where you operate, you:

• File one quarterly IFTA return with Texas
• Report all miles traveled by your qualified motor vehicles
• Report all fuel purchased for your qualified motor vehicles
• Report total and taxable miles traveled in each jurisdiction
• Report tax-paid gallons purchased in each jurisdiction

Texas uses this information to calculate any fuel tax due or credit. The Comptroller collects the net tax due and distributes the appropriate amounts to the other IFTA member jurisdictions.

You must file a quarterly Texas IFTA return even if:

• No operations occurred during the quarter
• No tax is due
• All reported travel during the quarter occurred within Texas

All miles and fuel for IFTA-licensed vehicles must be included on the return.

How Do You File an IFTA Report in Texas?

You can file your IFTA return in Texas using a simple two-step approach:

1. Prepare your IFTA report

   Generate your IFTA return with eIFTA, a service by Truckopedia to calculate your fuel tax data.
   The system helps you:

   • Enter miles traveled by state
   • Add fuel purchases
   • Automatically calculate taxes owed or credits

   Before filing, gather and organize the following records for all qualified motor vehicles in your fleet:

   • Total miles traveled in all IFTA jurisdictions
   • Total miles traveled in non-IFTA jurisdictions
   • Total and taxable miles traveled in each IFTA jurisdiction
   • Total gallons of fuel purchased for each fuel type
   • Tax-paid gallons purchased in each jurisdiction
   • Trip records, mileage logs, and fuel receipts supporting the reported information

   Texas requires you to report all miles traveled and all fuel delivered into IFTA-licensed vehicles. Organize the information by fuel type and jurisdiction so it is ready to enter into Webfile.

Prepare your IFTA return in minutes with accurate fuel tax calculations.

Generate your IFTA Report

2. Submit Your IFTA Return

   Once your IFTA report is ready, you can submit your return by:

   • Logging in to the Texas Comptroller’s Webfile system
   • Entering the mileage and fuel information from your eIFTA report
   • Reviewing the calculated tax due or credit
   • Submitting your return and paying any balance due by the quarterly deadline

   Tax preparers filing returns for multiple taxpayers may use Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) software.

   Paper filing is accepted only in hardship cases when electronic filing is unavailable. In these situations, complete Form 56-101 along with the applicable Form 56-102 supplements.

What Are the IFTA License Costs and Fees in Texas?

Texas does not charge an application fee for an IFTA license or a fee for IFTA decals.

You can obtain and maintain your Texas IFTA license and decals at no cost through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

What Are the IFTA Penalties and Interest in Texas?

You must file your Texas IFTA returns and pay any taxes due by the quarterly deadline to avoid penalties and interest.

The penalty for failing to file, filing late, or underpaying the tax due is the greater of:

• $50
• 10% of the total tax liability

The $50 minimum penalty applies to all late returns, including returns reporting:

• No operations
• No tax due
• A credit

Interest is assessed on delinquent taxes for each month or fraction of a month, beginning on the first day after the due date. The interest rate is adjusted annually on January 1.

A return that shows an overall credit may still be subject to interest if tax was paid late to an individual IFTA jurisdiction. Interest continues to accrue on any remaining net tax due until the balance is paid in full.

How to renew an IFTA License in Texas?

Texas IFTA licenses are renewed automatically for eligible carriers. The Texas Comptroller reviews accounts for renewal eligibility by December 1 each year. If your account qualifies, the Comptroller will mail your new IFTA license and decals at no cost.

During January and February, IFTA jurisdictions will honor a valid Texas IFTA license and decals from the previous year. Current-year credentials must be displayed beginning March 1.

Automatic renewal may be denied if you:

• Have failed to file a required IFTA return
• Have unpaid IFTA taxes owed to any member jurisdiction
• Are delinquent on taxes or fees administered by the Texas Comptroller
• Have not reported interstate travel during the previous six quarters
• Have had your business registration with the Texas Secretary of State canceled or forfeited
• Are delinquent on child support or student loan obligations

If your renewal is denied, you must resolve the outstanding issue before the Comptroller will issue new IFTA credentials

Generate your IFTA report in minutes— avoid penalties.

Generate your IFTA Report

Simplify Quarterly IFTA Reporting with eIFTA by Truckopedia

eIFTA helps you prepare accurate, file-ready IFTA reports without the burden of manual calculations, spreadsheets, or paperwork. Designed for owner-operators and fleets alike, the platform streamlines fuel tax reporting from start to finish.

• Automatically applies the latest IFTA tax rates for each reporting quarter
• Organizes mileage and fuel purchase data across jurisdictions
• Calculates fuel tax liabilities and credits with accuracy
• Generates reports ready for review, filing, and recordkeeping

With eIFTA, you can save time, reduce reporting errors, and simplify your quarterly fuel tax reporting process.