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IFTA Fuel Tax Calculator & 2026 Filing Guide

IFTA is the quarterly fuel-tax return every interstate owner-operator dreads. This page does the tedious part for you — enter your miles and fuel by jurisdiction and get your fleet MPG, net taxable gallons, and tax owed or refund — plus the deadlines and the exact formula.

JurisdictionMilesGallons boughtTax rate $/galNet galTax
Fleet MPG
Total miles0
Total gallons0
Net result$0.00

Enter each jurisdiction's current diesel rate from the official IFTA tax-rate matrix (rates change every quarter). Fleet MPG = total miles ÷ total gallons; gallons used in a state = its miles ÷ fleet MPG; net taxable gallons = used − bought there; tax = net × that state's rate. Estimate only — file through your base jurisdiction.

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How IFTA works

The International Fuel Tax Agreement covers the lower 48 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces. If you run a qualified motor vehicle across state lines, you file one quarterly return with your base jurisdiction, which then divides the fuel tax among the states you drove in. The key idea: you pay fuel tax based on the miles you drove in each state, but you get credit for the fuel-tax you already paid at the pump there — so each quarter you either owe a little or get a refund.

The 4-step IFTA formula

  1. Fleet MPG = total miles ÷ total gallons purchased (this one number drives everything).
  2. Gallons used per state = that state's miles ÷ fleet MPG.
  3. Net taxable gallons = gallons used − gallons you bought (tax-paid) in that state.
  4. Tax = net taxable gallons × that state's tax rate. Positive = you owe; negative = credit. Total it all for your quarterly payment or refund.

2026 IFTA filing deadlines

QuarterPeriodDue date
Q1Jan 1 – Mar 31Apr 30, 2026
Q2Apr 1 – Jun 30Jul 31, 2026
Q3Jul 1 – Sep 30Oct 31, 2026
Q4Oct 1 – Dec 31Feb 1, 2027 (Jan 31 is a Sunday)

If a due date lands on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. File and pay even a $0 return to stay compliant.

Frequently asked questions

Who has to file IFTA?

Operators of qualified motor vehicles (generally over 26,000 lbs or 3+ axles) that travel in two or more IFTA jurisdictions. You register in your base state and file quarterly.

What records do I need?

Miles driven in each jurisdiction (from your ELD/trip records) and fuel purchases by jurisdiction (keep receipts/fuel-card reports). The calculator above turns those into your numbers.

Where do I get the tax rates?

From the official IFTA tax-rate matrix, updated every quarter. Rates differ by state and by fuel type, which is why this tool lets you enter the current rate per jurisdiction.

Methodology & sources

Formula and structure per the International Fuel Tax Agreement; deadlines are the last day of the month after each quarter (next business day if a weekend/holiday). Sources: IFTA, Inc. tax-rate matrix and member jurisdiction guidance. Last updated June 2026. Built by TruckMargin — cost tools for owner-operators. Not tax advice.