Motor Vehicle Division - IFTA E-File FAQs

IFTA E-file is a free electronic service offered by the Alabama Department of Revenue that enables an International Fuel Tax Agreement Licensee based in Alabama to quickly and accurately file an IFTA return using a computer instead of manually preparing and mailing a report.

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Who is eligible to E-file an IFTA return?

All Alabama based carriers are eligible to E-file their IFTA return.

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What information am I required to report?

Report the following (by fuel type) for all qualified motor vehicles in your fleet during the filing quarter:

Total miles (taxable and non-taxable miles) traveled in all IFTA jurisdictions.
Total non-IFTA miles (taxable and non-taxable miles) traveled in all IFTA jurisdictions.
Total gallons of fuel placed in the tank in all jurisdictions (IFTA and non-IFTA).
The name of each jurisdiction you traveled in.
Total miles traveled in each IFTA jurisdiction.
Total tax-paid gallons of fuel purchased and placed in the tank in each jurisdiction.

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How does IFTA E-file work?

You can E-file from any personal computer that has Internet access.

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How accurate is IFTA E-file?

IFTA E-file performs all required computations which makes filing fast and easy and virtually eliminates the possibility of mathematical errors.

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What should I do if I don't have an IFTA E-File password or have forgotten or lost it?

You can request a password for IFTA E-File by contacting the Department at (334) 242-2999 and a new password will be assigned to you. If you previously had a password and you obtain a new one, your old password will become invalid. You must have an IFTA account in order to be assigned a password. If you have forgotten or lost your password, it can be recovered by using the "forgot password" function on the IFTA E-file login screen.

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What is my userid for IFTA E-Filing purposes?

Your userid for IFTA E-Filing purposes is your 9 digit taxpayer ID number (SSN or FEIN) that is reflected on your IFTA license.

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When filing on the Internet, will the same personalized information be provided as on my paper return?

Yes. In fact, after you have logged on and entered your password, the most current information available on the system, including your travel jurisdictions and available credit, will be provided for your convenience.

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Is there a charge to use IFTA E-file?

There is no charge to the taxpayer for filing an IFTA return via the Internet and no purchase of software is required.

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What hours of the day is E-filing available for filing an IFTA return?

The IFTA E-file service is available all hours of the day except for brief periods when the system is being updated. If you attempt to access the system and are told the system is unavailable, you should try again in 30 minutes.

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Is there a time limit while E-filing my IFTA return?

Yes. You will have 30 minutes to file your return (with the opportunity to add additional time).

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How will I know that the Department received my E-filed IFTA return?

After you complete and submit your IFTA return, a confirmation page containing a confirmation number will be displayed. You should print and keep the confirmation page with your records.

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If I E-file, how do I make a payment?

If you have a balance due, you will have the option to pay with credit card, EFT, or attach a check or money order for the amount due made payable to the Alabama Department of Revenue and mail the voucher and payment to the address indicated in the mailing instructions on the voucher. A 2.5% convenience fee is charged for all credit card payments. The printable voucher, like the majority of online Department forms, is saved in a PDF format. This format allows these forms to be printed to match the paper forms. To view these forms, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher. A blank voucher can also be printed from the Department's website. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, here's how to download a free copy.

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Do I need to submit any paper documents?

If you do not have a balance due, you will not need to submit any paper documents. If you have a balance due, you need only submit the payment voucher with your check or money order. No other paper documents are needed.

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What are the IFTA E- filing due dates?

The due date for E-filing an IFTA return is the same as the due date for filing an IFTA return on paper. These dates are as follows:

Reporting Quarter

Due Date

January, February, March

April 30

April, May, June

July 31

July, August, September

October31

October, November, December

January 31

If you file or pay late, you may be subject to interest and penalty.

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What IFTA forms can be E-filed?

You may E-file the IFTA Quarterly Fuel Use Tax Return (IFTA-100) and the IFTA Quarterly Fuel Use Tax Schedule (IFTA-101).

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If I file via the Internet, will I still receive paper returns?

Yes. All taxpayers who E-file returns will still receive a paper report in the mail from the Department.

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If I make a mistake, can I correct it?

You may correct any mistake prior to clicking the Submit button. If you have already submitted your return electronically, you must file an amended return on paper.

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Can I E-file an amended IFTA return?

No. If it is necessary for you to file an amended IFTA return, you must file on paper. (Future program enhancements will allow you to E-file amended IFTA returns.)

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Can I E-file an IFTA return after the due date for the filing period?

Yes. If you file after the due date for a filing period, you may be subject to interest and penalty.

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Can I E-file an IFTA return for all fuel types?

No. You may only E-file an IFTA return for the following fuel types: diesel, gasoline, ethanol and propane. IFTA returns containing other fuel types must be filed on paper.

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Is there any way to save a partially completed IFTA return on E-file if I need to log out before I have completed the report?

No. If you log out of E-file before you complete and submit your IFTA return, you must reenter all the information when you log in again.

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How can I get a copy of my IFTA return that I filed over the Internet?

You can get a copy of your return by clicking on the "Print Submitted Return" button on the confirmation page after you submit your return.

IFTA E-filed reports may also be printed using the "Reprint IFTA Tax Returns" option the day after the return has been submitted.

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Is it safe to E-file over the Internet?

Our secured sites/applications are restricted to the authorized users and the information is protected through Secured Socket Layer (SSL) protection.

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Are there any special Web browser requirements to use the IFTA E-file service?

Our Web site supports Internet Explorer 5.01 and higher and Netscape 6.2 and higher. These are the minimum browser versions necessary to support features and functions of the Department's electronic services. If you need to upgrade your browser, please go to the Microsoft or Netscape website.

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Where can I get assistance?

For all IFTA questions, please contact the office of Motor Carrier Services at (334) 242-2999.

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Technical

Why am I sometimes disconnected from the Web site/application?

It could be because your visit to the Department's electronic services has timed out or because your connection to the Internet was lost.

Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) (AOL, Prodigy, ATT WorldNet, etc.) may be experiencing problems which would in turn prevent your access to the Department's electronic services. You can verify this by attempting to access another Web site such as www.alabama.gov. If you successfully reach this other Web site, we may be experiencing heavy Internet traffic and ask you to please return to our Web site at a later time.

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Why can I connect to your Web site from home but not from work?

Some companies restrict Internet traffic to only internal Web sites. Please check with your network administrator to see if your company has access restrictions.

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Which browser versions does the Department's Web site support?

Our Web site supports Internet Explorer 5.01 and higher and Netscape 6.2 and higher. These are the minimum browser versions necessary to support features and functions of our electronic services. If you need to upgrade your browser, please go to the Microsoft or Netscape website.

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How can I tell what browser version I am using?

In the browser's toolbar, click on "Help." You will see a menu option that begins "About..." Click on this menu option. You will see the type of browser you are using and also what version.

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What browser options (e.g. cookies) do I need enabled to use this Web site?

There is only one option that needs to be set in your browser to take advantage of our electronic services. The option ensures that your security level is set to medium.

If you are using Internet Explorer, you can verify this by following these easy steps. (1) Open your browser. (2) Click on "Tools" on the toolbar. (3) Click on Internet Options (4) Click on the "Security" tab (5) Click on the "Internet" icon. (6) Click on Custom Level (7) Under "Reset Custom Settings" make sure it is set to medium. (8) Click "OK."

If you are using Netscape Navigator, follow these steps. (1) Open your browser. (2) Click on "Edit" on the toolbar. (3) Click on "Preferences." (4) Click on "Advanced" in the category list on the left. (5) Click on "Enable Java" on the right. (6) Click "OK."

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What is the best resolution (e.g. 800X600 or higher) to have set in order to use this Web site?

The Department's electronic services have been built to handle 800x600. If you are running Windows, you can change your resolution. Click on "Start." Click on "Settings." Click on "Control Panel." Click on "Display." Click on the "Settings" tab and adjust your screen area.

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I got a message to check my security settings. How do I do this?

To use the Department's electronic services, there are certain security settings required. You can confirm these settings by following these directions:

If you are using Internet Explorer, you can verify this by following these easy steps. (1) Open your browser. (2) Click on Tools on the toolbar. (3) Click on Internet Options (4) Click on the "Security" tab (5) Click on the "Internet" icon. (6) Click on Custom Level (7) Under "Reset Custom Settings" make sure it is set to medium. (8) Click "OK."

If you are using Netscape Navigator, follow these steps. (1) Open your browser. (2) Click on "Edit" on the toolbar. (3) Click on "Preferences." (4) Click on "Advanced" in the category list on the left. (5) Click on "Enable Java" on the right. (6) Click "OK."

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I can't view or open an online form. What should I do?

The majority of our online forms are in a PDF format. This format allows these forms to be printed to match the paper forms. To view these forms, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, here's how to download a free copy.

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How can I see what my page will look like before I print it?

To preview a page in either Internet Explorer or Netscape browsers, simply select "File" on your browser's toolbar. Then select the "Print Preview" option off the menu. A preview of the page is then shown.

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When I preview or print a page, some information is cut off. How can I fix this?

Sometimes the Web page you are viewing is too large for your browser to print all the information. To print the entire page, you will need to adjust your browser's default print settings. To adjust these settings, please follow these simple steps: (1) Select "File" from your browser's toolbar, (2) Select the "Print" option, (3) Netscape Only - Select the "Properties" button (4) Select the "Basics" tab (5) Select either the "Landscape" or "Portrait" print option -- whichever one is not already selected, (6) Click on the "Print" button.

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When I am sending personal information to the Department, how is my information protected?

Our secured sites/applications are restricted to the authorized users and the information is protected through Secured Socket Layer (SSL) protection which encrypts information being transferred between your computer and ours.

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What can I do to protect my information?

There are three basic things you can do to help protect your information. First, do NOT provide your User ID, or password to anyone else. The second is to make your password something known only by you. The third thing you can do to help protect your information is to always log off once you have completed your transactions. It is important to log off in order to not leave a "live" session active for someone else to use. If you were to forget to log off, you will automatically be logged off after an extended period of time has passed.

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When trying to print an IFTA E-Filed return I receive the error message "File not found." What should I do?

Depending on your browser follow these instructions:

Internet Explorer - Right click on the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop and select "Properties". Under the General tab there is a section called "Temporary Internet files" you can either select the "Settings" button and increase the "Amount of disk space to use", or select the "Delete Files" button and then select the check box to "delete all offline content" and click "OK".

Netscape - Open Netscape and click on "Edit" from the top menu and select "Preferences". Under the "Advanced" option select "Cache". Now you may either increase the amount of disk space for the Memory Cache and Disk Cache fields, or Clear Memory Cache and Clear Disk Space.

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Why can't I print?

These are the four most common reasons for not being able to print (listed in the most likely to least likely order):

Your session timed out or you cannot see where you should print from;

You will have to print the voucher and/or return from the other links available.

You need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader version 5.0 or higher.
Click here for instructions on how to down load the latest version."

You receive the message "File not found" when Adobe Acrobat is trying to open. Depending on your browser follow these instructions:

Internet Explorer - Right click on the Internet Explorer icon on your desktop and select "Properties". Under the General tab there is a section call "Temporary Internet files" you can either select the "Settings" button and increase the "Amount of disk space to use", or select the "Delete Files" button and then select the check box to "delete all offline content" and click "OK".
Netscape - Open Netscape and click on "Edit" from the top menu and select "Preferences". Under the "Advanced" option select "Cache". Now you may either increase the amount of disk space for the Memory Cache and Disk Cache fields, or Clear Memory Cache and Clear Disk Space.

You get a blank page in Adobe Acrobat Reader or an error message saying the file does not start with %pdf;

You have multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your pc and the Adobe software cannot resolve which version of Adobe to use with dynamic pdf pages (which the voucher and return are). If you must have multiple versions of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you must reinstall the latest version on top of the older version.

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