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Guide · Fuel tax

IFTA due dates for 2026 and 2027, and what happens if you're late

Updated · Rotomal

IFTA returns are due on the last day of the month after each quarter: 30 April, 31 July, 31 October and 31 January. When that day falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day applies, so the fourth-quarter 2026 return is due on Monday 1 February 2027. You must file every quarter even with no miles, and in Colorado, for example, a late return costs the greater of $50 or 10% of the tax due, plus interest.

Due dates

QuarterPeriodDue
Q3 20261 July – 30 September 20262 November 2026
Q4 20261 October – 31 December 20261 February 2027
Q1 20271 January – 31 March 202730 April 2027
Q2 20271 April – 30 June 20272 August 2027
Q3 20271 July – 30 September 20271 November 2027
Q4 20271 October – 31 December 202731 January 2028

Dates as published by the Georgia Department of Revenue. Check your own base jurisdiction's calendar, which normally matches.

What happens if you file late

  • Penalty: in Colorado, the greater of $50 or 10% of the tax due with your return. Other base jurisdictions set theirs under the same agreement, so check yours.
  • Interest: charged on unpaid tax at the IFTA annual rate, with a full month's interest for any part of a month.
  • Repeated non-filing: the jurisdiction can bill estimated tax for missing quarters and suspend or revoke the license.

Zero returns

If your trucks did not run in a quarter, you still file. Colorado's guidance says licensees must file whether they have activity to report or not, with one return covering the whole fleet.

Electronic filing and renewal

  • Colorado requires online filing for licensees with 80,000+ miles in 2025 starting with the period ending 31 March 2026, for 25,000+ miles in 2026 starting with the period ending 31 March 2027, and for all licensees starting with the period ending 31 March 2028.
  • In Colorado an IFTA license is valid for the calendar year and expires on 31 December, so renew before the new year to keep running.

If you want help

Fuel Ledger prepares your quarterly return from your ELD miles and fuel receipts, flags gaps before you file, and reminds you three weeks before each due date. From $39 per quarter, starting with a check of last quarter's return. This guide is general information, not tax advice.

Questions

Is the Q4 2026 IFTA return due on 31 January 2027?

No. 31 January 2027 is a Sunday, so the return is due on Monday 1 February 2027.

Do I file if I had no miles?

Yes. A return is due every quarter while you hold the license, even if it shows zero miles.

Can I file on paper?

It depends on your base jurisdiction. Colorado, for example, is phasing paper out and requires online filing for all licensees starting with the period ending 31 March 2028.

Sources