Do I file if I did not run at all that quarter?
Yes. A return is required for every quarter you hold the licence, including a quarter with no travel. This is the single most common way a small carrier falls out of good standing.
California compliance
IFTA quarterly returns: the four dates, and the one that catches people
A fuel tax agreement that lets you report fuel use across member jurisdictions on one return, rather than filing separately in each state you drove through.
Who this applies to
Carriers running qualified motor vehicles across two or more member jurisdictions. California licensees file through CDTFA.
How the date works
A return is due the last day of the month following the end of each quarter: April 30, July 31, October 31 and January 31.
Where to file
Filing the quarterly return itself carries no fee. The annual IFTA licence and decals are charged separately.
FAQs
When are the four deadlines?
April 30 for the first quarter, July 31 for the second, October 31 for the third, and January 31 for the fourth.
Other deadlines
- California Clean Truck Check: when yours is due
Twice a year for most vehicles
- FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: what you owe each year
Annual, plus per-driver queries
- UCR registration: the deadline and what it costs
Annual
- MCS-150 biennial update: your filing month, from your USDOT number
Every 24 months
- Form 2290: the heavy vehicle use tax deadline
Annual
- California BIT inspections: the 90-day cycle
Every 90 days
- California Motor Carrier Permit: annual renewal
Annual