Stacie's Tax Stuff

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded truckers and other owners of heavy highway vehicles that in most cases, their next federal highway use tax return is due on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014.

This year’s Sept. 2 due date, pushed back two days because the normal Aug. 31 deadline falls on a Sunday, generally applies to Form 2290 and the accompanying tax payment for the tax year that begins on July 1, 2014, and ends on June 30, 2015. Returns must be filed and tax payments made by Sept. 2 for vehicles used on the road during July. For vehicles first used after July, the deadline is the last day of the month following the month of first use.

Though some taxpayers have the option of filing Form 2290 on paper, the IRS encourages all taxpayers to take advantage of the speed and convenience of filing this form electronically and paying any tax due electronically. Taxpayers reporting 25 or more vehicles must e-file. A list of IRS-approved software providers can be found on IRS.gov.

Paper returns must be mailed and postmarked by midnight on Sept. 2. As usual, IRS offices will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.

The highway use tax applies to highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. This generally includes trucks, truck tractors and buses. Ordinarily, vans, pick-ups and panel trucks are not taxable because they fall below the 55,000-pound threshold. The tax of up to $550 per vehicle is based on weight, and a variety of special rules apply, explained in the instructions to Form 2290.

More information can be found in the Trucking Tax Center at IRS.gov/truckers.

If you’re looking for a way to help others in your community, then think about becoming a tax volunteer. The IRS is looking for people who will provide free tax help next year.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs offer free tax help across the country. Each year VITA and TCE volunteers prepare tax returns for free for people with low-to-moderate incomes.
Here are seven good reasons why you should become a VITA or TCE volunteer.
You don’t need prior experience. You’ll receive specialized training and can serve in a variety of roles. You can even help those who do not speak English if you are fluent in another language.

The IRS provides free tax law training and materials. You’ll learn how to prepare basic tax returns and learn about tax deductions and credits that benefit eligible taxpayers. These include credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit and Credit for the Elderly.

The volunteer hours are flexible. Volunteers generally serve an average of three to five hours per week. The programs are usually open from mid-January through the tax filing deadline in April. A few sites are open all year.

VITA and TCE sites are located in communities throughout the nation. Sites are often set up in neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other similar places. The programs offer free tax preparation and free electronic filing for both federal and state tax returns.

You can also help those who serve our country, because the IRS also needs volunteers to provide tax help to military personnel and their families.

As a volunteer, you’ll join a program that’s helped millions of people file tax returns at no charge for more than 40 years. Your help will make a difference. It’s people helping people. It’s that simple.

Tax Professionals (Enrolled Agents and Other Tax Return Preparers) can earn Continuing Education Credits when volunteering as a VITA/TCE instructor, quality reviewer or tax return preparer. See the IRS fact sheet for more information on Continuing Education Credits.
To find out more, visit IRS.gov and type “tax volunteer” in the search box. If you are interested you will need to submit Form 14310, VITA/TCE Volunteer Sign Up, by email through the IRS website.