How IFTA Works in Florida

Florida, along with 47 other U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces, is a member of the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA). IFTA allows inter-jurisdictional carriers driving through two or more states to report and pay fuel taxes only to the state base. To obtain an IFTA license and decals in Florida, qualified motor carriers must submit their applications to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) through the Interstate Carrier Filing System (ICFS). The license is valid for the calendar year. 

Florida IFTA Vehicle Requirements

Motor vehicles qualify for IFTA in Florida if they meet the following criteria:

• Have two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds
• Have three or more axles, regardless of weight
• Are used in combination with a trailer, with a combined GVW or registered GVW exceeding 26,000 pounds.

IFTA Renewal in Florida

Florida IFTA licenses are renewed annually, usually 60-90 days before the end of the calendar year. Before renewing your IFTA license in Florida, the system checks to ensure that your previous IFTA fuel tax returns and any related highway use or fuel taxes that apply to your operations are fully paid. Only IFTA carriers who apply for a renewal by December 31 will be granted a two-month grace period to show new decals on vehicles that had existing stickers on December 31. 

With IFTA.Online, renewing your IFTA in Florida is simple. Just select your state and choose “IFTA Renewal” as the service type, and our team will handle the entire process for you.

Quarterly IFTA Filing Requirements in FL

If you have a Florida IFTA license, you need to file your IFTA report every three months. IFTA reports are still required even if your qualified motor vehicles (QMV) haven't traveled any miles or all of the miles traveled were within Florida. The late penalty fee is $50 or 10% of the net tax liability, whichever is greater. 

How to File IFTA in Florida

Florida carriers can file their IFTA returns online through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) portal or by submitting paper forms. Online filing is much better and faster but If you prefer to file by paper, you’ll need to download the official IFTA quarterly return form, complete it with your trip and fuel data for each jurisdiction, and mail it to the FLHSMV office before the due date. 

The Deadlines for Filing Quarterly Florida IFTA Return

Note: If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or state holiday, the next business day will be the deadline.

What to Expect from an IFTA Audit in Florida

Any IFTA licensee can be subject to an audit, as the state is required to perform audits on 3% of Florida-based carriers annually to ensure compliance. Although choices are done at random, the smallest registrants and licensees will account for 15% of audits, while the largest registrants and licensees will account for 25%. At least 30 days before the audit, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will send the registrant/licensee a Notice of Intent to Audit and a Pre-Audit Questionnaire. Proper documentation and recordkeeping are the key to successfully passing an audit. 

Get Help with IFTA Filing in FL with IFTA.Online

At IFTA.Online, we make things easy when it comes to filing for your IFTA license. We can help you out with the Florida IFTA online filing by setting up your IFTA account, renewing your license, making sure you send in your reports on time and keeping track of your deadlines. With our comprehensive services IFTA filing can be easy and stress-free. Fill out our online form or call us at (800) 341-2870.