Free tool
IFTA late filing penalty calculator
Rates verified · By TruePermit · Free, no signup
Missed a quarterly IFTA deadline, or about to? Enter your net tax due and how late you are, and get the exact penalty and interest under the IFTA Agreement — plus the next deadline. No signup, no email.
The net amount owed across all jurisdictions. Enter 0 for a zero or credit return — the flat penalty still applies.
Any fraction of a month counts as a full month of interest.
What the late return costs
$107.50
- Penalty — greater of $50 or 10% of tax (§R1220)
- $100.00
- Interest — 9%/yr ÷ 12 × 1 mo (§R1230)
- $7.50
…on top of the $1,000.00 tax itself. Next IFTA quarterly deadline: October 31, 2026.
Base IFTA penalty and interest only. Some jurisdictions add their own interest or fees on top, and two delinquent quarters can cost you the license itself — file even if you can't pay in full.
How the penalty works
Two separate meters run on a late IFTA return. The penalty (§R1220.100) is a one-time charge: the greater of $50 or 10% of the net tax due — so it hits zero-tax and credit returns too. The interest (§R1230) accrues monthly on the unpaid tax at the federal underpayment rate plus 2 points — 9% annually for 2026 — and any fraction of a month counts as a whole month.
The real risk isn't the $50 — it's the escalation path: penalties, then license revocation after repeated delinquency, then running interstate without an IFTA license. What triggers audits and how to keep records that survive one is covered in our IFTA audit guide and the IFTA fuel tax guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for filing IFTA late?
The greater of $50 or 10% of the net tax due (IFTA Articles of Agreement §R1220.100). It applies to late filing, non-filing, and underpayment — and a late zero-mile or credit return still owes the flat $50.
How much interest does a late IFTA return accrue?
Interest runs at the federal underpayment rate plus 2 points, set each January 1 (§R1230). For 2026 that's 9% per year — 0.75% per month — charged on the tax owed, with any fraction of a month counting as a full month. Some jurisdictions add their own interest on top.
When are IFTA quarterly returns due?
The last day of the month after each quarter: April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. If the date falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the deadline shifts to the next business day.
What happens if I miss two IFTA quarters?
Beyond penalties and interest, your base jurisdiction can revoke your IFTA license — which makes every interstate mile illegal without trip permits, at far greater cost than the missed filings. Two delinquent quarters is the common revocation trigger.
Do I owe a penalty if my IFTA return shows a credit?
If you file late, yes — the $50 minimum penalty applies even when the return nets to zero or a refund. Filing on time costs nothing; filing late always costs at least $50.
Should I file IFTA even if I can't pay the tax?
Yes. The penalty arm is triggered by the late return, and interest by the unpaid tax — filing on time and paying late is strictly cheaper than doing both late, and it keeps the two-delinquent-quarters revocation clock from starting.
Related
Never pay this penalty again
TruePermit computes your IFTA return from your actual trips and fuel on the official quarterly rate matrix, and alerts you 30, 14, and 7 days before every deadline — the $50-or-10% math becomes irrelevant. Free for one truck.
Start freeThis calculator shows the base IFTA penalty and interest. Your base jurisdiction may assess additional state-level interest or fees, and amounts are determined by the jurisdiction, not this estimate. Verify with your base state before paying.