General Questions

1. What is IFTA e-file?
IFTA e-file is a free electronic service offered by the Michigan Department of Treasury that enables an IFTA licensee based in Michigan to quickly and accurately file an IFTA return using a computer instead of manually preparing and mailing a return.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. How accurate is IFTA e-file?
IFTA e-file is 100% accurate. IFTA e-file populates the return with your travel jurisdictions, rate codes and tax rates. It also performs all required computations which makes filing fast and easy and virtually eliminates the possibility of mathematical errors.

5. Who is eligible to e-file an IFTA return?
All Michigan based carriers are eligible to e-file their IFTA returns.

6. What IFTA forms can be e-filed?
You may e-file an original IFTA Quarterly Fuel Use Tax Return (IFTA-100) and the IFTA Quarterly Fuel Use Tax Schedule (IFTA-101) for the current quarter. Prior returns and amended returns cannot be filed electronically.

7. 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."

8. If I file via the Internet will I still receive paper return forms?
Yes. All taxpayers who e-file returns will still receive a paper return form in the mail however do not submit the paper return if you e-file.

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

10. What is my taxpayer ID number for IFTA e-filing purposes?
Your taxpayer ID number for IFTA e-filing purposes is the same number that you used when filing your paper IFTA returns in the past but without the "MI" prefix. For example if you filed your paper IFTA returns using Taxpayer ID MI-12345678900, you will enter 12345678900 for IFTA e-filing purposes.

11. 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. The due dates for IFTA returns are 1/31, 4/30, 7/31 and 10/31 unless the due date is a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. In that case the return is due on the next business day.

If you file or pay late you will be subject to penalty and interest charges.

Filing Your IFTA Return Electronically

12. 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 to make corrections or changes.

13. Do I need to submit any paper documents?
If you do not have a balance due on your IFTA return or you are paying any balance due by ACH debit or credit, you will not need to submit any paper documents. If you have a balance due on your IFTA return and do not pay electronically you need only submit the payment voucher with your check or money order. No other paper documents are needed.

14. Can I e-file an IFTA return after the due date for the reporting period?
Yes, however if you file after the due date for a reporting period you may be subject to penalty and interest.

15. Can I e-file an amended IFTA return?
No. Amended returns must be filed on paper

16. 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, including biodiesel, must be filed on paper.

17. Is there a time limit when I am entering the information on my IFTA return?
Yes. You will have 30 minutes to file your return; however there is an option to add additional time.

18. Is there any way to save a partially completed IFTA return on e-file if I need to log out before I have completed my return?
No. If you log out of e-file before you complete and submit your IFTA return you must reenter all of the information when you log in again.

19. How can I get a copy of my IFTA return that I filed over the Internet?
You can obtain a copy of your return by clicking on the "Print Submitted Return" button on the confirmation page after you submit your return. You can also print a previously e-filed IFTA return by correctly entering the required information and then selecting the return period you wish to print.

20. 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 will be shown.

21. 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 - From inside Internet Explorer select tools then Internet options. 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.

22. How will I know if the Treasury Department received my e-filed IFTA return?
After you complete and submit your IFTA return, a confirmation page containing a confirmation number will display. You should print the confirmation page and keep it with your records.

Paying Your IFTA Return Electronically

23. If I e-file, how do I make a payment?
If you have a balance due you can choose to pay electronically or by mail using a payment voucher. To pay electronically you must complete an application to pay by ACH debit (form 4536) or ACH credit (form 4537). Click on the following link to obtain an application form www.michigan.gov/taxes.

To pay by mail you will need to print a payment voucher by clicking on the printable voucher button on the Return Confirmation page. Attach a check or money order to the voucher and mail both to the address indicated in the mailing instructions. If your return is filed electronically the payment must also reach us by the due date to avoid penalty and interest charges.

24. How do I pay my IFTA return electronically?
You must have submitted an application for an EFT debit (form 4536) or EFT credit (form 4537). Click on the following link to obtain an application form www.michigan.gov/taxes.You will receive further instructions when your application is processed.

25. How do I obtain an IFTA payment voucher?
You can obtain an IFTA payment voucher by clicking on the printable voucher button on the Return Confirmation page or by clicking on this link http://www.michigan.gov/iftaefile

26. Can I pay my e-filed IFTA Quarterly Tax Return with a credit card?
No. The only payment options are ACH debit or credit or a check or money order submitted with a payment voucher.

27. Can I e-file my IFTA Quarterly Tax Return now and E-pay the amount I owe at a later date?
Yes, however late payments will be subject to penalty and interest.

28. Can I pay the amount I owe electronically on my IFTA Quarterly Tax Return that I filed through the mail?
Yes, however late returns and/or payments will be subject to penalty and interest.

29. Can I partially pay the amount due on my e-filed IFTA Quarterly Tax Return?
Yes, however late payment of the tax will be subject to penalty and interest charges.

Security and Passwords

30. What should I do if I don't have an IFTA e-file password?
Go to the Michigan IFTA e-file Registration screen at www.michigan.gov/iftaefile to register to file electronically.

31. What should I do if I have forgotten or lost my password?
Go to the IFTA e-file Login page at www.michigan.gov/iftaefile and click on the "forgot password" button.

32. Where can I get assistance?
Many of your questions may be answered on our Web site at www.michigan.gov/taxes. Follow the IFTA/Motor Carrier links. You may also e-mail your question to IFTA_Licensing@michigan.gov or call us at (517) 636-4580. Written inquiries may be directed to Michigan Department of Treasury, Customer Contact Division, Special Taxes, Lansing, MI 48922.

33. How does your Web site handle the protection of privacy?
Please see our privacy policy that explains what information is collected and how it is used.

34. How is my personal information protected when I am sending it over the Internet to the Treasury Department?
Our secured sites/applications are restricted to the authorized users and the information is protected through Secured Sockets Layer (SSL) protection. For more information on how our Web site handles security please see our security page.

35. 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 so you do not leave a "live" session active for someone else to use. If you forget to log off, you will automatically be logged off after an extended period of time has passed.

36. 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."

37. 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.michigan.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.