What Are the Details of the Highway Use Fee in Connecticut and When is it Effective?

Connecticut has recently announced their own Highway Use Fee for highway use impacting vehicles weighing 26,000lbs or more in operation. As of January 1, 2023, a Highway Use Fee will be imposed on these carriers traveling through or in Connecticut. Click on the following link for the language directly from the State of Connecticut that was sent out to motor carriers across the country – https://www.iftach.org/bulletins/CT%20Highway%20Use%20Fee%20-IFTA.pdf

Who Must Complete a Registration Application and File a Highway Use Fee Return?

Any person that operates or causes to be operated on any highway in this state any eligible motor vehicle. An eligible motor vehicle has a gross weight of 26,000 lbs or more and carries a classification between Class 8 and Class 13, inclusive, under the Federal Highway Administration vehicle classification system must register for a Highway Use Fee Permit. Click on the following link to go to the website for the Connecticut State Department of Revenue Services for more information regarding registration – https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Businesses/Highway-Use-Fee/HUF#when

For a full list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) from the State of Connecticut concerning the Highway Use Fee, click the following link – https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DRS/Publications/TSSB/2022/TSSB-2022-7.pdf

How Can Fleetworthy Solutions Help?

Take a look at some specific FAQs from the above list and read the details on how Fleetworthy can assist.

FAQ# 7 – Does an eligible carrier need to register with the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) for purposes of the Highway Use Fee? Yes. Any carrier who operates an eligible motor vehicle in Connecticut is subject to the Highway Use Fee and must register with DRS for the Highway Use Fee by January 1, 2023. After registering, a Highway Use Fee Permit will be available in myconneCT (DRS’ online filing and paying portal).

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy can open, manage and update the CT HUF account as needed, including providing the permit once issued. Once opened by Fleetworthy, the account does not need to be renewed.

FAQ# 10 – Will a permit be issued for each eligible vehicle used by a carrier on Connecticut roads? No. If DRS accepts an application, it will issue one permit to the carrier. The carrier will be required to place a copy of the permit in each eligible vehicle operated by the carrier in Connecticut. No carrier may lawfully operate or cause to be operated an eligible motor vehicle in Connecticut on or after January 1, 2023, without obtaining a Highway Use Fee Permit from DRS.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy will identify which qualified trucks have operated in CT in the previous 12 months to allow for the Motor Carrier to quickly disburse the permits to the field.

FAQ# 14 – What is the due date for filing and paying the Highway Use Fee? The Highway Use Fee Return and associated payment is required to be filed on or before the end of the month following the monthly period covered by said return. To this end, and by way of example, the first Highway Use Fee Return is due on or before February 28, 2023, and said return will cover the month of January 2023.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy can file, pay and invoice as a single payer for your Connecticut Highway Use Fee account. With access to your mileage data, Fleetworthy can not only accurately file your reports but also house the information for the required period of time.

FAQ# 16 – Is an eligible carrier that is registered with DRS for the Highway Use Fee required to file a Highway Use Fee Return for a particular monthly period in which it does not operate any eligible motor vehicle on a Connecticut road? Yes. All carriers registered for the Highway Use Fee are required to file a Highway Use Fee Return for all monthly periods, regardless of whether or not said carriers operated vehicles in Connecticut during a particular month.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy’s team of mileage tax experts will evaluate your fleet’s activity within any given month, then file on your behalf in an accurate and timely manner.

FAQ# 17 – Is a carrier required to maintain records in connection with the filing of the Highway Use Fee Return? Yes. Each carrier must keep records, receipts, invoices and other pertinent papers in a manner to support the information reported on each Highway Use Fee Return it files with DRS. In addition, each carrier shall maintain, on a monthly basis, a list of all the eligible motor vehicles that such carrier operates or causes to operate on a highway in the state during such month. All such lists shall be maintained by the carrier for not less than four years after the date of each such month and shall be made available to DRS upon request.

Fleetworthy Assistance – Fleetworthy will retain your mileage records for the required period of time and furnish on behalf of the motor carrier if requested from the Department of Revenue Services.

Reach out to Fleetworthy Solutions with any questions by visiting our website – www.fleetworthy.com or calling us at (608) 230-8200.

Sources:

State of Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Website – https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/Businesses/Highway-Use-Fee/HUF#when