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

By Rotomal team · Updated 2026-11-07 · Part of [Fuel Ledger](https://rotomal.com/ifta-filing/)

**Short answer:** 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

| Quarter | Period | Due |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Q3 2026 | 1 July – 30 September 2026 | 2 November 2026 |
| Q4 2026 | 1 October – 31 December 2026 | 1 February 2027 |
| Q1 2027 | 1 January – 31 March 2027 | 30 April 2027 |
| Q2 2027 | 1 April – 30 June 2027 | 2 August 2027 |
| Q3 2027 | 1 July – 30 September 2027 | 1 November 2027 |
| Q4 2027 | 1 October – 31 December 2027 | 31 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.

## FAQ

### 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

- Georgia Department of Revenue: IFTA due dates https://dor.georgia.gov/ifta-due-dates
- Colorado Department of Revenue: IFTA filing information https://tax.colorado.gov/IFTA-filing-information
- Colorado Department of Revenue: IFTA application process https://tax.colorado.gov/ifta-application-process

[Fuel Ledger](https://rotomal.com/ifta-filing/) does this for you. Request it free, no card: https://rotomal.com/ifta-filing/request/
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Rotomal · https://rotomal.com/ifta-filing/ifta-due-dates/ · hello@rotomal.com