What is the 2290 & Who Needs It?

The 2290 is the shorthand name for the IRS Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. The filing is named after the form number the IRS uses for this filing. A 2290 is used as a tax to pay for the additional wear and tear on the public road system by heavy vehicles. The 2290 is a tax that is paid directly to the IRS every year.

As it is paid directly to the IRS, the 2290 is tied to a carrier’s EIN Number, so a carrier must have an EIN Number when they file a 2290. Also, the IRS requires that the EIN is at least 28 business days old before it is valid to file a 2290. Carriers with EIN Numbers less than 28 days old will have to wait until their EIN Number has aged at least that long before they will be able to successfully file for a 2290.

All vehicles with a GVW 55,000 lbs. or over who operate at all on public roads are required to file a 2290 each July. Even if you operate in an exempt status, meaning your vehicles with a GVW 55,000 lbs. or over travel less than 7,500 miles a year, you must still file an Exempt 2290.

An Exempt 2290 means that you do not pay any fees to the IRS for your 2290 but you must still show proof of a 2290 filing. Since this filing is required by the IRS, failure to file or pay the tax will result in fines, late fees, liens, garnishments, and even forced liquidation of assets.