International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Online Filing – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

IFTA Online Filing is a free service that allows an International Fuel Tax Agreement Licensee based in California to file their IFTA return through the Internet.

Online filing is fast, easy, convenient and accurate. All you need is a computer and access to the Internet. You need not leave your home or office to file. You will receive confirmation that your return and payment information has been accepted for processing.

• No paper tax forms to be filed, including signature documents
• No postage expenses
• Ability to file outside of normal business hours
• Quicker processing
• Electronic security ensures confidentiality of data
• Instant acknowledgment by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) upon receiving your filing.
• Less file storage space required since data may be stored electronically.

The IFTA Quarterly Diesel Fuel Use Tax Report (IFTA-100) and the IFTA Quarterly Diesel Fuel Use Tax Schedule (IFTA-101) are the acceptable IFTA forms for online filing.

If you are a business owner, select the User ID link and follow the instructions to sign up as a Registered User.

Note: You must have your account number and Express Login Code before you sign up as a Registered User. Once you are registered, you will receive three separate e-mails that identify your default password, User ID, and account permissions.

All California State-based carriers with active and current accounts are eligible to file their IFTA return online.

Yes. Your agent or tax preparer may file your IFTA Quarterly Diesel Fuel Tax Return online on your behalf.

Agents who are registered with more than one CDTFA fuel account license or registration number must transmit separate tax form data sets for each account license.

The filing for a period is considered to be filed timely if the tax form and any applicable payment are received by the CDTFA on or before the due date. If either is received after the due date, the filing is considered late.

Under IFTA, you are required to file quarterly fuel tax returns. The reporting quarters and due dates are as follows:

All IFTA returns filed online must be filed and any amounts due must be paid by 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on the due date to be considered timely. Confirmation is received immediately upon filing your return. Please keep the confirmation of filing for your records.

If the due date falls on a weekend or state holiday, the tax form is due on the next business day.

Typically, you will not be required to submit any paper documentation after filing your tax form. However, the CDTFA may request that you provide additional or supporting documentation for your tax form. You will be contacted by CDTFA staff if additional information is needed.

Log in to your online services account:

• Select File Tax Return
• Click on the IFTA tab
• Select the year of the return
• Select “Amend a Quarterly Return”
• Select the quarter you need to amend.

No. Both the return and payment must be made by the due date to avoid late penalties and/or interest charges, but they do not need to be done at the same time. You may, for example, submit your return on the 10th of the month and wait until the due date to make your payment.

When you file your tax return online, you will receive a confirmation number. If you are filing on the due date, you must receive a confirmation number before 12:00 a.m. (midnight), otherwise your return will be considered late. If your return or payment is filed late, interest and penalty may be charged. Failure to file a tax form, or filing an incomplete tax form, may result in charges for interest, penalty and/or license revocation.

If the due date falls on a weekend or state holiday, the payment is due on the next business day.

ACH Debit

Choose this option to authorize the CDTFA to transfer funds from your checking or savings account to the CDTFA’s bank account. You must provide your bank account number and the routing number of your financial institution (ABA number), which is located on your check.

Credit Card

Choose this option to pay by credit card through a third-party vendor. American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa cards are accepted. A convenience fee will be charged by the third-party-vendor. This fee is not revenue to the CDTFA.

Note: You must return to the online filing web page to complete the filing of your tax return. Once you receive your confirmation number, your transaction is complete.

How you make a payment depends on the payment method you have selected. See our Online Services web page for information on making electronic payments.

No. CDTFA does not charge a fee.

Depending on your method of electronic payment, your bank or creditor may charge a fee. The CDTFA is not responsible for those fees. See our Online Services web page for information on making electronic payments.

The following are the most common causes of this problem:

• The password is case-sensitive. Be sure to check the “Caps Lock” button on your keyboard, and make sure that you are entering any characters of your password in the proper case.
• Incorrect Password or User ID

If you’ve checked everything and are still having problems, contact the CDTFA at 1-800-400-7115.

Click “Forgot Password?” Enter your Registered User ID. Answer your forgotten password question. A new default password will be sent to your personal email address. Click the link in the email message and login to Online Services using your User ID and the default password that was emailed to you. You will be required to enter a new personalized password.

You must contact the CDTFA at 1-800-400-7115 during regular business hours. For security reasons, you will be required to provide authentication information.

Personal information, such as a driver license number, a social security number, or a residence address, is not disclosed to the public. However, some records are subject to disclosure. These include CDTFA license or registration numbers, business name and address, and license status. For more information, please review the Notice to Individuals Regarding Information Provided to the CDTFA.

The IFTA Online Filing Program uses the Internet to receive and transmit tax forms and information. It incorporates the following technological attributes to ensure data security: User ID, Password, Data Encryption, Electronic Signature (Authorization and Security Codes), Account Numbers, File Formats, and Acknowledgements. Each Online Participant must also use security procedures that are reasonably sufficient and put forth its best efforts to ensure that all transmissions of tax returns and reports are authorized. An online Participant must take the necessary precautions to safeguard its technological attributes and notify the CDTFA at 1-800-400-7115 when it has knowledge that its technological attributes have been compromised or a change in its authorized representative has occurred.

You may login to your online services account to update your mailing address or business email. These changes can be made under Business Information on your:

• License Renewal Application
• Additional Decal Application
• Replacement Decal Application

You may contact the CDTFA Customer Service Center at 1-800-400-7115 (TTY: 711) and select the option for “Special Taxes and Fees” and then “Motor Carrier Office Programs”.