- What is IFTA eFile?
IFTA eFile is a free electronic service offered by the California State Board of Equalization that enables an International Fuel Tax Agreement Licensee based in California to quickly and accurately file an IFTA return using a computer instead of manually preparing and mailing a return.
- Is there a charge to use IFTA eFile?
There is no charge to the taxpayer for filing an IFTA return via the Internet and no purchase of software is required.
- What hours of the day is eFiling available for filing an IFTA return?
eServices will be unavailable from Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to Monday at 5:30 a.m., Pacific Time for routine maintenance. Responsibility for filing a return and submitting payment for tax due remains with each taxpayer.
- Who is eligible to eFile an IFTA return?
All California State-based carriers with active and current accounts are eligible to eFile their IFTA return.
- Can my agent eFile on my behalf?
Yes. If your agent has a valid power of attorney, he/she may eFile your IFTA Quarterly Diesel Fuel Tax Return.
- What IFTA forms can be eFiled?
You may eFile the IFTA Quarterly Diesel Fuel Use Tax Report (IFTA-100) and the IFTA Quarterly Diesel Fuel Use Tax Schedule (IFTA-101).
- Can I eFile an IFTA return for all fuel types?
Not at this time. Currently, you may only eFile an IFTA return for diesel fuel. IFTA returns containing other fuel types must be filed on paper.
- Can I eFile an amended IFTA return?
No. If it is necessary for you to file an amended IFTA return, you must file on paper.
- Can multiple reports be submitted in a single electronic transmission?
Agents who are registered with more than one BOE fuel account license or registration number must transmit separate tax form data sets for each account license.
- How accurate is IFTA eFile?
Very accurate. IFTA eFile performs all required computations which makes filing fast and easy and virtually eliminates the possibility of mathematical errors.
- Is it safe to eFile over the Internet?
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 website handles security, please see our security page.
- How do I register to eFile?
If you are a business owner select the eClient Registration link and follow the instructions to register as an eClient.
Note: You must have a copy of your IFTA Renewal Application with the account number and Express Login Code before you register as an eClient. Once you are registered, you will receive three separate e-mails that identify your default password, User ID, and account permissions.
- What is my Express Login Code for IFTA eFiling purposes?
Your Express Login Code is a unique eight digit alphanumeric code. This code can be located or obtained from the following sources:
- Contacting our customer service representatives at 800-400-7115, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, excluding state holidays.
- The top of your IFTA Renewal Application (See number 1 below)
- How do I begin to eFile?
Select either the Login to eFile using your Express Login link and type in your Express Login Code and Account Number or Login to eFile using your User ID and Password link and type in your User ID and Password.
- What are the IFTA eFiling due dates?
The due date for eFiling an IFTA return is the same as the due date for filing an IFTA return on paper. If you file or pay late, you may be subject to interest and penalty. The filing for a period is considered to be filed timely if the tax form and any applicable payment are postmarked on or before the due date. If either is postmarked after the due date, the filing is considered late. eFiled tax forms receive an electronic "postmark" of the date and time they are submitted. This postmark is used to determine if the filing is timely. If a tax form or payment is postmarked after the due date, interest and/or penalty may be charged. Failure to file a tax form, or filing an incomplete tax form, may result in charges for interest, penalty and/or license revocation. For help in calculating any additional interest and/or penalty charges, please contact the Fuel Taxes Division at 916-322-9669.
- Can I eFile an IFTA return after the due date for the reporting period?
Yes, only for the current reporting period. If you file after the due date for a reporting period, you may be subject to interest and penalty.
- Is there a time limit while eFiling my IFTA return?
The system is set up to initially allow 30 minutes for e-filing a return. However, the system will prompt you to add additional time before the 30 minutes elapses.
- Is there any way to save a partially completed IFTA return on eFile if I need to log out before I have completed the return?
Not at this time. Currently, if you log out of eFile before you complete and submit your IFTA return, you must reenter all the information when you log in again.
- 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.
- Do I need to submit any paper documents?
If you have a balance due, you need only submit the payment voucher (IFTA-100-V) with your check or money order. No other paper documents are needed.
- Can I eFile my IFTA Quarterly Tax Return now and pay the amount I owe at a later date?
Your payment must be mailed by the due date of the return. Example: The current reporting period is July 1, 2006 - September 30, 2006 with a due date of October 31, 2006. If you eFiled your IFTA Quarterly Tax Return on October 20th your payment must be postmarked with the October 31, 2006 date to avoid interest and penalty fees.
- Can I pay my IFTA Quarterly Tax Return using a credit card?
Not at this time. Currently, the only payment option available for paying your tax amount due is through the mail using payment voucher (IFTA-100-V).
- If I eFile, how do I make a payment?
If you have a balance due, you can pay by mail, you will have to click on the printable voucher button on the Return confirmation page to print a payment voucher. Attach a check or money order for the amount due made payable to the California State Board of Equalization (BOE) and mail the voucher and payment to the address indicated in the mailing instructions on the voucher. The printable voucher, like the majority of online BOE forms, is saved in a PDF format. To view or print 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.
- How do I obtain an IFTA payment voucher (IFTA-100-V)?
You can obtain an IFTA payment voucher by clicking on the printable voucher button on the Return confirmation page.
You can obtain a blank IFTA payment voucher and instructions by downloading form IFTA-100-V.
The printable voucher, like the majority of online BOE forms, is saved in a PDF format. To view or print 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.
- 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 eFiled IFTA Return by correctly entering required information and then selecting the return period you wish to print. Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher is required to view and print the returns. If you do not have this software, here's how to download a free copy.
- When trying to print an IFTA eFiled 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.
- 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:
- Select "File" from your browser's toolbar.
- Select the "Print" option.
- Netscape Only - Select the "Properties" button.
- Select the "Basics" tab.
- Select either the "Landscape" or "Portrait" print option -- whichever one is not already selected.
- Click on the "Print" button.
- How will I know that the California State Board of Equalization received my eFiled IFTA return?
After you complete and submit your IFTA return, a confirmation page containing a confirmation number will display. You should print and keep the confirmation page with your records.
- Can I discontinue receiving paper returns now that I am filing my returns electronically?
Yes, after a successful login:
- Select the "IFTA Account Maintenance" link from Electronic Filing – Electronic Services Main Menu.
- Enter the account number of the account you wish to update and select the Continue button.
- Under "Paper Returns" check the box provided to discontinue receiving paper returns.
- Select the Submit button to send your request to the BOE.
You should receive an e-mail from BOE confirming that you no longer wish to receive paper returns for the selected account.
If you choose this option, and wish to restart the mailing of paper return forms, you must notify the BOE by submitting your request in writing, Contact Us. If you do not choose this option, you will continue to receive paper return forms.
- What if I forget my User ID?
You must contact the (BOE) at Contact Us.
Note: You will be required to provide authentication information.
- How do I change my User ID?
Select the Login to eFile using your User ID and Password link and type in your User ID and password. Then select the User Maintenance link from the Electronic Services Menu page and scroll down to "Enter your new User ID" and follow the instructions.
- What should I do if I have forgotten or lost my eFile password?
Select the Forgotten Password link and type in your User ID. You will be required to select and answer your forgotten password question.
Note: If you did not choose a forgotten password question and answer, you must contact the BOE to obtain a new password at Contact Us.
- How do I change my personal e-mail address?
After successfully login in, select the User Maintenance link from the Electronic Services Menu page and scroll down to "Enter your e-mail address”.
- How do I change the business e-mail address?
You must contact the (BOE) at Contact Us.
Note: You will be required to provide authentication information.
- When filing on the Internet, will the same personalized information be provided as on my paper return form?
Yes. After successfully login in, the most current information available on the system, including your travel jurisdictions will be provided for your convenience
- 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, password or Express Login Code to anyone else.
- Second, make your password something known only by you.
- Third, 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.
- When I am sending personal information to the BOE, how is my information protected?
Our secured sites/applications are restricted to the authorized users and the information is protected through Secured Sockets Layer (SSL) protection which encrypts information being transferred between your computer and the BOE. It incorporates the following technological attributes to ensure data security: User-ID, Password, Data Encryption, Electronic Signature (Authorization and Security Codes), and Acknowledgments. Each Electronic Participant must also use security procedures that are reasonably sufficient and use its best efforts to ensure that all transmissions of tax returns and reports are authorized. An Electronic Participant must take the necessary precautions to safeguard its technological attributes and notify the BOE at 916-322-9669 when it has knowledge that its technological attributes have been compromised or a change in its authorized representative has occurred.
For more information please see our security page.
- How does your website handle the protection of privacy?
Please see our privacy policy which describes what information is collected and how that information is used.
- I can’t view or open an online form. What should I do?
The majority of our online forms are in a PDF format. We use this format to assure uniformity in appearance between our online forms (when printed) and paper returns. 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.
- Which browser versions does the BOE website support?
Our website 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.
- What browser options (e.g. cookies) do I need enabled to use this website?
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.
- Open your browser.
- Click on "Tools" on the toolbar.
- Click on Internet Options.
- Click on the "Security" tab.
- Click on the "Internet" icon.
- Click on Custom Level.
- Under "Reset Custom Settings" make sure it is set to medium.
- Click "OK".
If you are using Netscape Navigator, follow these steps.
- Open your browser.
- Click on "Edit" on the toolbar.
- Click on "Preferences".
- Click on "Advanced" in the category list on the left.
- Click on "Enable Java" on the right.
- Click "OK".
- 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.
- I got a message to check my security settings. How do I do this?
To use the BOE'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.
- Open your browser.
- Click on "Tools" on the toolbar.
- Click on Internet Options.
- Click on the "Security" tab.
- Click on the "Internet" icon.
- Click on Custom Level.
- Under "Reset Custom Settings" make sure it is set to medium.
- Click "OK".
If you are using Netscape Navigator, follow these steps.
- Open your browser.
- Click on "Edit" on the toolbar.
- Click on "Preferences".
- Click on "Advanced" in the category list on the left.
- Click on "Enable Java" on the right.
- Click "OK".
- Why am I sometimes disconnected from the website/application?
It could be because your visit to the BOE’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 BOE's electronic services. You can verify this by attempting to access another website. If you successfully reach other websites, we may be experiencing heavy Internet traffic and ask you to please return to our website at a later time.
- What is the best resolution (e.g. 800X600 or higher) to have set in order to use this website?
The BOE'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.
- Who should I contact if my account information changes and needs updating?
Once accepted into the IFTA eFiling Program, the Information Provider must notify the BOE if it moves, changes ownership, discontinues operations, or sells its business. The BOE requires that all registration changes be submitted in writing. All written notification will be reviewed and the appropriate actions taken. The written notification of registration changes will enable the BOE to update our records and keep your registration current. Be sure to provide all applicable account number(s) when contacting the BOE.
Mail the notification to:
State Board of Equalization
Motor Carrier Section MIC 65
P.O. Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279-0065
- Where can I get assistance?
You can contact the BOE directly by clicking on our Contact Us page.
