The 2026 IFTA filing calendar is built on a fixed rhythm: each quarterly return is due on the last day of the month that follows the quarter's close . For Q1 2026, that means the return covering January 1 through March 31 must be submitted to your base jurisdiction by April 30, 2026 — a Thursday, not a weekend extension . A driver running an 800-mile lane across three states will need to have all fuel-purchase records reconciled and mileage logs finalized before that date, regardless of whether the quarter ended on a holiday.
Q1 2026 (January 1 – March 31)
The Q1 IFTA return is due April 30, 2026. Because April 30 falls on a Thursday, there is no automatic grace period for a weekend or federal holiday . Truckers operating out of a single base jurisdiction must ensure that all fuel-tax records for January, February, and March are compiled and submitted by that Thursday. A common mistake is assuming that mail postmarked on April 30 counts as timely — electronic filing with a timestamp is the only reliable proof of on-time submission.
Q2 2026 (April 1 – June 30)
The Q2 return is due July 31, 2026. This deadline lands on a Friday, giving filers the full business week to finalize their Q2 data. A driver who ran a dedicated regional route through May and June will need to verify that every fuel receipt from April through June is categorized by state/province and that the total miles match the GPS or hubometer readings. Missing a July 31 submission triggers a late-filing penalty that compounds monthly.
Q3 2026 (July 1 – September 30)
Due October 31, 2026 — a Saturday. Because the due date falls on a weekend, most base jurisdictions accept returns submitted by the following business day (Monday, November 2) without penalty. However, a trucker who files electronically on October 30 avoids any ambiguity. The Q3 period often catches carriers off guard because summer fuel surcharges and increased mileage can distort tax calculations. A fleet operator running ten trucks through the Midwest should pre-calculate the Q3 liability in early October to avoid a surprise tax bill.
Q4 2026 (October 1 – December 31)
Due January 31, 2027. This is the only IFTA deadline that crosses into the next calendar year. Because January 31, 2027 falls on a Sunday, the effective filing date shifts to Monday, February 1, 2027, for most jurisdictions. A trucker who hauled freight through the holiday season must reconcile December fuel purchases alongside October and November data — all three months are part of the same Q4 return. Failing to submit by the extended Monday deadline triggers a penalty that can claw back any tax refund due.
Every 2026 IFTA deadline is the last day of the month following the quarter end , with Q1 (April 30, Thursday) and Q2 (July 31, Friday) falling on business days, while Q3 (October 31, Saturday) and Q4 (January 31, 2027, Sunday) shift to the next business day. Mark each date on your dispatch calendar and file electronically to lock in the timestamp.
Use the free IFTA calculator or get the $19 Quarter-Close Kit — log fuel + miles once, auto-calc tax owed/credit per state every quarter.