FuelCred assists with tax credits

tractors, generators and other equipment regardless of whether they owe any other tax to the federal government.

“FuelCred automates tracking of off-road fuel use, applies the correct tax treatment using IRS rules, and generates form 4136, the form the IRS requires to apply for fuel tax credits,” said Joe Chan, head of technology for FuelCred. “Previously only big companies using teams of accountants at top tier accounting firms had access to these credits. But now with FuelCred small companies have that same capability. In fact, the technology behind FuelCred was developed by CPAs from these same large tax and accounting firms."

A tax credit (sometimes called a tax refund), unlike a tax deduction, is a 1-for-1 reduction in taxes for businesses. So even if a business doesn’t owe any taxes, the IRS will send an eligible business a check for any fuel tax refund owed. “So for every 500 or so gallons of fuel used in off-road business equipment, the federal government will refund you $100,” Chan said. “Every year over a billion dollars in available fuel tax credits go unclaimed. For many small farmers or landscapers the fuel tax credit can amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.”

The federal tax credit for diesel fuel is $.243 per gallon and the federal tax credit for gasoline is $.183 per gallon. The completed IRS Form 4136, “Credit for Federal Tax Paid on Fuels”, must be provided to your CPA or tax preparer to be included as a part of your annual income tax filing. 

“Many states also have state-level fuel taxes with a similar ability to apply for a refund. We’re currently working on adding that capability into the FuelCred app. For many this would at least double the amount of fuel tax refund available,” Chan said. “Plus it’s free to sign-up. You only pay if you want to generate the IRS form and claim the refund.”