It can be very stressful for trucking companies and owner-operators when it's time to file the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) Form 2290. However, errors in submitting the same will cause much delay and money lost. Here are the top reasons why Form 2290 get's rejected, and how to avoid them.

Wrong EIN or Mismatched EIN with the Business Name

The EIN is such an important thing which the IRS should identify your business. A frequent cause of rejection is that of wrongly inputting the EIN or submitting it with fewer than 15 days after it has been registered with the IRS. In case the business name does not match that which filed with the aid of the EIN, the return will be rejected.

Tip: Just double-check the EIN and your business name to confirm that there is no difference from what is recorded in the books of the IRS.

Incorrect VIN

The third most common mistake is the entry of the incorrect VIN for the car you are filing for. The IRS uses VINs in its database, and an error in one letter can cause a paper to be rejected.

Tip: Make sure you review the VIN when you submit your form. It is very easy to mistake a letter for a number, particularly where letters and numbers may resemble each other. For example, the letter "O" and the number "0" look alike.

Incorrect Filing Period

Form 2290 filings are period-specific, meaning they are for either beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year. Most businesses make some mistakes by filing in the wrong period or inputting the incorrect month for first use on public highways.

Tip: Make sure to file in the correct tax period and properly report the first-use month.

Not E-filing as Mandated

Any business with 10 or more vehicles filing Form 2290, as of 2024, must file electronically. If you do not comply with this mandate, your return most probably will be rejected.

Tip: When you are filing for more than one vehicle, ensure you submit it online to get compliance with the IRS.

Wrong Payment Amount

Incorrect amount paid in tax, for example, how much tax is due is what they make another leading cause of form rejection. If the amount computed by the agency does not match what was indicated in the remittance, the agency may reject the form.

Cheat sheet: Use the IRS's tax tables or an accurate calculator to compute tax based on your vehicle's gross weight and intended use.

No Signature on Form

Failure to sign the return-paper or electronic-can easily become an overlooked error, and this is a common problem that leads to rejection.

Tip: Double-check that you attach the appropriate signature-including when e-filing. You may need an e-signature PIN.

Late Filing

In fact, form 2290 should be filed by the last day of the month following the first use of a taxable vehicle. Failure to file after due time without a reasonable cause may lead to rejection along with severe penalties.

Tip: Be clear about deadlines and make sure that the paperwork is done on time to avoid penalties and rejection.

Do not get your paper file form 2290 rejected, which may delay filing of your tax returns. It is quite easy to go wrong with a wrong EIN, the wrong VIN, or even the wrong filing period. Make sure you double-check the details, and make sure that you are eligibly e-filing to avoid rejections altogether and have trouble-free processing.

Note: For more information, visit IRS website