Fuel tax for vans

Bob of SW Ohio · Jan 16, 2007

As a relative "newbie" I have a question concerning fuel tax relative to my under 10,000 GVWR, diesel expediter van. I am an O/O leased to a company that provide my "authorities" and a USDOT #. My personal LLC has a fed. tax I.D. #

I have been purchasing diesel at the "big boy" pumps and not paying tax. Sometimes I am asked for my DOT but usually just my company name and trucl #. It is my understanding as an under 10,000 lb. vehicle I do not pay state fuel tax as I do not log and there is no real way to determine mileage run in a given state.

Since I do not pay fuel tax, is it legal for me to fill at the tax exempt pumps? Should I not claim tax exempt. Am I going to jail in the near future?

Any and all replies appreciated.

terryandrene · Jan 16, 2007

Bob:

Enjoy your good fortune while it lasts. State laws generally are written to require a vendor to collect taxes. The law would not likely be written requiring you to pay the tax; therefore, you would then have no legal obligation to pay the tax, moral perhaps, but not legal.

Vans don't pay apportioned fuel taxes, logging or not, so you needn't worry.

Bob of SW Ohio · Jan 16, 2007

T & R:

Thanks for your quick reply. I appreciate your info on this issue and always appreciate the good, reasonable advice you give on this forum.

I run from N. KY. (just S. of greater Cincinnati) to O'Hare every Mon. and Wed. morning (leave 6:15 A.M.)in a white, ext Chevy 3500 and back home every P.M. If you see a white van that appears to be semi-lost, give me a honk!

Thanks, again!

Bob

kangar0085 · Jan 16, 2007

lol Hello Bob! I also have a Chevy express 2500 but it is not a diesel. I'm on with Panther, what company are u with?

JohnMueller · Jan 17, 2007

Bob of SW Ohio;

You should be paying fuel taxes at the pump.

You are NOT required to file quarterly fuel tax forms (IFTA) because your vehicle is under 26,001 lb. or more, and surely does not have 3 axles or more.

I am amazed that any fuel stop would sell fuel to you anywhere whithout the fuel tax included. Again, you are just exempt from filing and paying additional taxes due to other states on the IFTA tax form.

Thanks,

HotFr8Recruiter

Moot · Jan 17, 2007

I agree with HotFR8. All state and federal taxes are included in the pump price regardless if it is purchased at the truck pumps or auto pumps. The only tax exempt diesel fuel I am aware of is for agricultural use. That fuel contains red dye and you don't want to get caught with that in your tanks. Even in a van.

MSinger · Jan 18, 2007

Wrong. Indiana truckstops sell diesel fuel sales tax-exempt at the truck islands. That is why they always ask for a DOT or MCC #. If you go to the auto or RV side the diesel fuel is 9 or 10 cents/gal cheaper. On the other hand if you use the auto/RV side you don't get charged extra for using a credit card.

highway star · Jan 18, 2007

Actually, the fuel on the car island is $.10 more than it is on the truck island using a DOT# in Indiana. The credit card policies will vary depending on where you buy fuel.

MSinger · Jan 21, 2007

Yeah that's what I meant to say......it's cheaper on the truck side with a DOT # than the auto/rv islands in Indiana.
My tongue didn't get twisted.....my fingers did. : )

Crazynuff · Jan 21, 2007

>Yeah that's what I meant to say......it's cheaper on the
>truck side with a DOT # than the auto/rv islands in Indiana.
>My tongue didn't get twisted.....my fingers did. : )
Just hope IN never realizes how many trucks there are under 26,000 with DOT numbers and avoiding the tax .

Turtle · Jan 24, 2007

Anyone know how the truck stops can get away with selling fuel at different cash prices and credit card prices? The other day I bought a soft drink at the Flying J, and when it was rung up and the clerk told me the price, I asked if that was the cash or the credit price. She told me it was the same price either way. I responded with a simple, "Interesting" and she looked at me all funny.

Crazynuff · Jan 24, 2007

If you want the cash price at Flying J get a Frquent Fueler card . You can get the card number as soon as you apply . Most other fuel stops give you the cash price if you use a Fleet One card . Fleet One debits the money from your checking account . The Truckers Advantage card from OOIDA is issued by Fleet One .

Turtle · Jan 24, 2007

I have a Frequent Fueler Card, but it's the old one, the standalone one, not the one that's also a debit card. I need to get a Fleet One card, tho.

MSinger · Jan 28, 2007

Get the RV (Real Value) card. This is set-up for the RVers but will work in the truck lanes. Not only do you get cash price but you also get a penny off per gallon of diesel. You can also get bigger discounts on fuel if you spend over $51 a month in purchases other than fuel at FJ if you make sure to scan your card for each purchase.
The only fall back is I don't think it allows for free showers. I only had a 35 gallon tank so I never earned enough for a shower anyway.