IFTA quarterly deadline calculator
See which IFTA fuel tax return is due next, the exact due date and how much a late return could cost.
- Check the date (today is filled in).
- Optionally enter your net tax due to estimate the late penalty.
- Press Show my IFTA deadline.
Four IFTA returns a year, plus your decal renewal. Let FleetClear track the next one and remind you before it is due. Your first compliance item is free.
Use FleetClear free →or create a free accountIFTA quarterly due dates
Carriers licensed under the International Fuel Tax Agreement file one return per quarter with their base jurisdiction, even for a quarter with no miles. Each return is due on the last day of the month after the quarter ends:
| Quarter | Period | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | January 1 – March 31 | April 30 |
| Q2 | April 1 – June 30 | July 31 |
| Q3 | July 1 – September 30 | October 31 |
| Q4 | October 1 – December 31 | January 31 (next year) |
When a due date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, base jurisdictions treat the next business day as the due date. For example, October 31, 2026 is a Saturday, so the Q3 2026 return is due Monday, November 2, 2026. A legal holiday in your base jurisdiction can push a date one more day. This calculator moves weekends only, so check your base jurisdiction's calendar around holidays.
Late penalty
Member jurisdictions apply the IFTA penalty for a late return, a missing return or late payment: $50 or 10% of the net tax due, whichever is greater. The $50 minimum applies even when you owe nothing or have a credit. Interest is charged on unpaid tax, at a rate IFTA sets from the federal underpayment rate. This calculator shows the penalty only, not the interest.
Working out the tax itself? Use the free IFTA fuel tax calculator worksheet for the per-jurisdiction miles, gallons and net tax math.
Frequently asked questions
When are IFTA returns due?
April 30 for Q1 (January–March), July 31 for Q2 (April–June), October 31 for Q3 (July–September) and January 31 of the next year for Q4 (October–December). A date on a weekend or legal holiday moves to the next business day.
When is the Q3 2026 IFTA return due?
Q3 2026 covers July 1 to September 30, 2026. October 31, 2026 is a Saturday, so the return is due Monday, November 2, 2026.
What is the penalty for filing IFTA late?
The greater of $50 or 10% of the net tax due, plus interest on unpaid tax. The $50 minimum applies even if the return shows no tax due.
Do I have to file an IFTA return if I did not drive?
Yes. An IFTA licensee files a return every quarter, including a no-operation return for a quarter with no miles. A missing return draws the same penalty as a late one.
Is this the same as the IFTA decal renewal?
No. Decals and the license renew each year, usually in the fourth quarter, on a schedule set by your base jurisdiction. The quarterly returns are separate.
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Updated October 21, 2026. FleetClear is built by 9GG LLC and is not affiliated with FMCSA or any government agency.