IFTA Alabama Guide for Truckers: Registration, Filing Requirements & Quarterly Deadlines

What Is IFTA and Why It Matters in Alabama

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) allows U.S. states and Canadian provinces to establish a fuel tax reporting system for commercial vehicles that travel between states. You submit one quarterly report to your primary jurisdiction which includes all your fuel tax filings across different states.

The Alabama Department of Revenue manages your IFTA account if you operate trucks from Alabama or travel through the state regularly.

You need to complete these steps if you choose Alabama as your main state:

• Register for IFTA in Alabama
• Track miles driven in each state
• Track fuel purchased in each state
• File quarterly IFTA returns

Who Needs an IFTA License in Alabama

You need an Alabama IFTA license if your vehicle:

• Has 2 axles and a GVW over 26,000 lbs, or
• Has 3 or more axles (regardless of weight), and
• Travels interstate (outside Alabama)

People who operate their business within Alabama only need to follow intrastate rules because IFTA regulations do not apply to them.

Alabama IFTA Registration: What Truckers Need

To register for IFTA in Alabama, you’ll typically need:

• USDOT number
• FEIN or SSN
• Business address in Alabama
• Vehicle details
• Proof of compliance (IRP, HVUT, etc.)

You will receive these items after your application gets approved:

• IFTA license
• Two IFTA decals per truck
• The truck must have its decals displayed on both sides of the cab.
• IFTA Alabama Reporting Requirements (From the Driver’s Seat)

Every quarter, Alabama requires you to report:

Miles Traveled Total miles driven

Miles driven in each state

Fuel Purchased Gallons purchased per state

Valid fuel receipts (date, gallons, location, seller name)

MPG Calculation Your fuel tax is calculated based on:

Total miles ÷ total gallons = fleet MPG

This MPG determines whether you have tax obligations or entitlement to tax credits.

Alabama IFTA Quarterly Due Dates

The following dates should be noted because missing them results in penalty fees and interest charges:

• Q1 (Jan–Mar): Due April 30
• Q2 (Apr–Jun): Due July 31
• Q3 (Jul–Sep): Due October 31
• Q4 (Oct–Dec): Due January 31

Even if you didn’t run that quarter, you still need to file a zero return.

Common IFTA Alabama Mistakes Truckers Make

The following issues represent the main problems which occur based on our actual experiences:

• Drivers guess miles instead of using their logs or ELD reports
• Drivers fail to provide fuel receipts because their documents are missing or impossible to read
• Drivers submit their documents late while forgetting to submit their zero return forms
• Drivers make incorrect calculations of their miles per gallon which leads to errors
• Some people use personal fuel purchases for their personal needs while using truck fuel for business purposes.

Any of these can trigger an IFTA audit, which no driver wants.

What Happens If You Don’t File IFTA in Alabama

Alabama imposes penalties when you fail to submit your IFTA report or when you submit an incorrect report.

The state can impose financial penalties while suspending your IFTA license and putting your account under audit for the IRP process renewal.

Worst case? You’re parked until everything is cleared.

The Easy Way to File IFTA Alabama Returns

Most truckers today don’t file manually anymore—and honestly, there’s no reason to.

Through online IFTA filing services, you can acquire these following functions:

• Upload trip reports and fuel receipts
• Auto-calculate miles and MPG
• Avoid math errors
• File on time every quarter
• Get audit-ready reports

Outsourcing IFTA filing works best for you when your current work involves handling loads and dispatching and maintenance and ensuring compliance.

IFTA Alabama for Owner-Operators and Fleets

Owner-operators see their time savings coupled with reduced costly errors

Small fleets: Keep all trucks compliant under one account

Fleets that experience growth require reporting systems which expand along with their data storage needs

Clean IFTA records also help when applying for contracts or dealing with brokers.

Keep IFTA Alabama Simple

IFTA Alabama does not need to become complex according to this trucker who shares his information with you.

You should track your distance while saving your fuel receipts and submitting your reports before the deadline. The professionals should take care of the paperwork for you to keep driving and making money.

All routes which include Alabama require IFTA compliance because it represents an essential aspect of intelligent business operations.