Per-state fuel tax,
at a glance.

What is IFTA?

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a cooperative agreement between the 48 contiguous US states and 10 Canadian provinces that simplifies fuel tax reporting for interstate motor carriers. Instead of filing separate fuel tax returns in every jurisdiction you operate in, IFTA lets you file a single quarterly return in your base jurisdiction.

You must register for IFTA if you operate a qualified motor vehicle — one with 3 or more axles, or with 2 axles and a gross vehicle weight rating over 26,000 lbs (11,797 kg) — across two or more IFTA member jurisdictions. Once registered, you receive an IFTA license and two decals for each qualifying vehicle.

Quarterly filing deadlines are: January 31 (Q4), April 30 (Q1), July 31 (Q2), and October 31 (Q3). Missing a deadline results in a $50 penalty plus interest on any tax owed.

How IFTA tax is calculated

IFTA tax is calculated per-state based on the miles you drove in that state multiplied by that state's fuel tax rate. The formula is simple: Miles in state × State tax rate ($/mi) = Tax owed to that state. You then subtract the fuel you actually purchased in that state (converted to a tax credit), and the net amount is what you owe or are refunded.

This calculator handles the miles × rate step — the most tedious part of quarterly prep. It gives you a per-state breakdown and total obligation so you can verify your numbers before submitting to your base jurisdiction.

IFTA tax rates by state

Rates below are approximate averages used in this calculator. Actual rates change quarterly — always verify at your state's IFTA authority before filing.

Common IFTA filing mistakes

• 01Not tracking per-state miles separately — GPS or ELD data is the cleanest source; paper logs are error-prone.
• 02Missing quarterly deadlines — a $50 penalty applies even if you owe $0 tax.
• 03Reporting total miles instead of taxable miles — odometer miles include non-IFTA jurisdictions (Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico).
• 04Not reconciling fuel receipts — IFTA credits you for tax paid at the pump; missing receipts means overpaying.
• 05Wrong fuel type classification — diesel, gasoline, LNG, and CNG have different rates; mixing them up triggers audits.

IFTA quarterly filing deadlines