Iowa Fuel Tax Information

The point of taxation for fuel (except LPG, CNG, & LNG) in Iowa is the terminal rack or supplier level. All fuel leaving the pipeline distribution system must have the tax paid. Only dyed special fuel used for off-highway purposes and fuel exported outside of Iowa is sold tax-free.

Tax is imposed on three categories of fuel:

• Motor fuel: gasoline, ethanol-blended gasoline, alcohol, and aviation gasoline
• Special fuel: diesel, aviation (jet) fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biodiesel
• Electric Fuel: kWh for non-residential charging

Current Iowa fuel tax rates (select Iowa Fuel Tax)

Ethanol Blended Gasoline

Ethanol blended gasoline is defined as motor fuel which has been blended with alcohol distilled from cereal grains, the end product containing a minimum percent of alcohol.

Examples:

To make a properly blended 8,000 gallons of E-10, the blend requires:

• 7,200 gallons of gasoline + 800 gallons of alcohol = 8,000 gallons of ethanol blended gasoline
• E-10 gasoline is ethanol blended gasoline that contains a minimum percentage of between 10 percent and 14 percent by volume of ethanol.

To make a properly blended 8,000 gallons of E-15, the blend requires:

• 6,800 gallons of gasoline + 1,200 gallons of alcohol = 8,000 gallons of ethanol blended gasoline
• E15 or higher gasoline is ethanol blended gasoline that contains a minimum percentage of between 15 percent and 99 percent by volume of ethanol.

Biodiesel

"Biodiesel" means an oxygenated product derived from soybean oil, vegetable oil, or animal fats that can be used in diesel engines including aircraft. Biodiesel may be a blend with diesel fuel or it may be 100 percent soybean oil, vegetable oil, or animal fats. Any biodiesel product is taxed as a special fuel. B-20 or higher is a special fuel that contains a minimum percentage of 20 percent by volume of biodiesel.

Supplier

A person who:

• Acquires motor fuel or special fuel by pipeline or marine vessel from a state, territory, or possession of the United States or from a foreign country for storage at and distribution from a terminal and who is registered under 26 U.S.C. 4101 for tax-free transactions in gasoline or
• Produces alcohol or alcohol derivative substances in this state or acquires it by truck, railcar, or barge for storage at and distribution from a terminal or
• Produces or acquires biofuel or biodiesel for storage at and distribution from a terminal or
• Produces, manufactures, or refines motor fuel or special fuel in this state.

"Supplier" also includes a person who does not meet the jurisdictional connection to this state but voluntarily agrees to act as a supplier for purposes of collecting and reporting the motor fuel or special fuel tax.

Note: A retail dealer or wholesaler who merely blends alcohol with gasoline or biodiesel with diesel before the sale or distribution of the product or a terminal operator who merely handles, in a terminal, motor fuel, or special fuel consigned to the terminal operator does not qualify as a supplier.

Importer

A person who imports untaxed motor fuel or non-dyed special fuel in bulk or transports loads into the state by truck, rail, or barge.

Restrictive Supplier

A person not licensed as an importer but who imports untaxed motor fuel or non-dyed special fuel into this state in amounts of less than 4,000 gallons in tank wagons or in small tanks.

Blender

A person who owns and blends alcohol with gasoline to produce ethanol blended gasoline at a non-terminal location. A blender is also a person who blends special fuel products at a non-terminal location where the tax has not been paid on all of the products blended.

Examples:

• Gas + Alcohol = gasohol or ethanol blended gasoline 
• Diesel + Soy Oil = biodiesel

Exporter

A person who acquires fuel in this state for export to another state. This person must be licensed in the state the fuel is exported to, so the tax can be paid to that state.

Eligible Purchaser

A distributor of motor fuel or special fuel who elects to make delayed tax payments to a licensed supplier by EFT.

Eligible Purchaser End User

An end user of special fuel who has purchased a minimum of 240,000 gallons of special fuel in each of the preceding two years who elects to make delayed payments to a licensed supplier by EFT.

Licensed compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or hydrogen dealer

A person in the business of handling untaxed compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or hydrogen who delivers any part of the fuel into a fuel supply tank of any motor vehicle. A dealer may also fuel the dealer’s own vehicles under this license.

Licensed compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or hydrogen user

A person who dispenses compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or hydrogen for highway use, upon which the special fuel tax has not been previously paid, from fuel sources owned and controlled by the person into the fuel supply tank of a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle owned or controlled by the person.

Licensed compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or hydrogen consolidated

A separate license is required for each location where CNG, LNG, LPG, or hydrogen is delivered into the fuel supply tank of a motor vehicle. For reporting purposes a licensee may file a separate return for each separately licensed location; or, if arrangements have been made with the Department, the licensee may file a consolidated return reporting all sales made at all locations for which a license is held. However, a consolidated return may not be used to combine dealer and user operations.

Storage Facility

A motor fuel, alcohol, or special fuel storage and distribution facility (IRS registered terminal or non-terminal) which fuel is delivered into, stored within, withdrawn from or sold from. This includes ethanol plants and biodiesel plants. (see ethanol plant and biodiesel plant information)

Transportation (Common Carrier or Contract Carrier)

A person involved in the movement of motor fuel or special fuel imported into the state, who is not the owner of the motor fuel or special fuel.

Retail Dealer (Dealer)

A person, other than a distributor, who engages in the business of selling or distributing motor fuel or special fuel to the end user in this state.

The only method of determining gallons of any purchase or sale of motor fuel or special fuel and distillate fuel is on a gross volume basis. Iowa fuel tax computations are based on gross gallons, not net gallons. A temperature-adjusted or other method may not be used except as it applies to liquefied petroleum gas and the sale or exchange of petroleum products between petroleum refineries.

Iowa allows for the sale of ethanol from the ethanol storage of an Iowa licensed supplier in an IRS gasoline/diesel terminal to another Iowa licensed supplier within the terminal as a tax free transaction. The tax shall be paid by the licensed supplier when the invoiced gross gallonage of the alcohol or the alcohol part of the ethanol blended gasoline is withdrawn from a terminal for delivery in this state. This makes the licensed supplier responsible for the tax on both the alcohol and the gasoline portions of the ethanol blended gasoline and allows for the reporting and accounting of this fuel at the proper ethanol blended gasoline percentage and tax rate on the supplier report.

Iowa allows for the sale of B100 or B99.9 from the B100 storage of an Iowa licensed supplier in an IRS gasoline/diesel terminal to another Iowa licensed supplier within the terminal as a tax free transaction. The purchasing Iowa licensed supplier will be responsible for collecting and remitting the Iowa fuel tax when the fuel is withdrawn from the terminal.

Any fuel including denatured alcohol and B100 or B99.9 or imported into Iowa with destination of an IRS gasoline/diesel terminal (IRS gasoline terminal number on invoice or bill of lading) is not subject to Iowa fuel tax. The tax is due when withdrawn from the terminal.

Note: Manly Terminal LLC is not an IRS terminal.

Any fuel, except dyed diesel, but including denatured alcohol imported into Iowa with destination other than an IRS gasoline/diesel terminal, is subject to Iowa fuel tax. An importers license is the proper license to report and pay the Iowa fuel tax due. Tax is due when the shipment comes across state line. B100 may be exempt - refer to biodiesel plant section.

Who Collects and Remits the Tax?

For motor fuel and special fuel (except LPG, CNG, and LNG), the tax attaches when the fuel is "withdrawn from terminal." Withdrawn from terminal means physical movement from a supplier to a distributor or eligible end user or from an alcohol manufacturer to a non-terminal location, and includes an importer going out of state and obtaining fuel from a terminal and bringing the fuel into the state, and a restrictive supplier bringing fuel into the state even though not purchased directly from a terminal. Exchange of product by suppliers while in the distribution channel is not to be considered withdrawn from terminal.

The tax is payable to the Department by the supplier, restrictive supplier, importer, blender, or any other person who possesses taxable fuel upon which the tax has not been paid.

LPG, CNG, and LNG: These fuels are not taxed until the use is determined. Tax attaches to LPG, CNG, and LNG when:

• The LPG or LNG is placed in a fuel supply tank of a motor vehicle or
• The CNG is delivered into equipment for compressing the gas for subsequent delivery into the fuel supply tank of a motor vehicle

Exemptions

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel, except LPG, CNG, or LNG, sold for export to a person holding a valid Iowa exporters license is exempt from the fuel tax. The fuel is considered sold for export only if the bill of lading or manifest indicates that the destination of the fuel withdrawn from the terminal is outside the state of Iowa. Dyed diesel fuel used for off-highway purposes is also exempt from fuel tax.

LPG, CNG, or LNG sold by dealers from highway storage may be sold tax free provided it is sold for one of the following uses:

• Reefer unit, provided there is no possible connection to the power source of the vehicle or
• Fuel supply tank of a non-highway vehicle or
• Carry out container.

When LPG, CNG, or LNG is sold from highway storage for any of the above purposes, an exemption certificate must be prepared and retained by the seller. The exemption certificate must include the date, seller's name and license number, invoice number, use of the fuel, type of vehicle or container, and the name, address, and signature of the purchaser.

All other sales must include the Iowa fuel tax.

The tax computation for a supplier includes a distribution allowance of 1.6 percent of the motor fuel gallonage and 0.7 percent of the undyed special fuel gallonage removed from the terminal during the reporting period. The supplier should pass this allowance to the distributor or dealer.

The distributor purchasing the fuel from the supplier is entitled to 1.2 percent of the motor fuel distribution allowance. The distributor or dealer purchasing fuel from a supplier is entitled to 0.35 percent of the undyed special fuel distribution allowance. The distribution allowance does not apply to fuel exported. The distribution allowance is not available for importers, restrictive suppliers and blenders.

Iowa Fuel Tax Deduction for Blended Fuel Sales

Following Governor Reynolds signature of House File 2128 on May 17, 2022, the Department released guidance to explain this tax change. This new deduction, added to Iowa Code section 452A.8, is intended to promote the use of biofuels by allowing a lower tax rate to be charged when the fuel is withdrawn from the terminal when it is known that the fuel is going to be blended into a biofuel with the lower tax rate after it has been withdrawn. The deduction is for gasoline or diesel fuel withdrawn from a terminal by a licensee to be blended with a biofuel after it is withdrawn from the terminal when the tax rate on the gasoline or diesel fuel exceeds the tax rate which would be due on the biofuel-blended fuel. This tax change is effective July 1, 2022.

This chart below only covers the movement of alcohol from an Iowa ethanol plant to an IRS gasoline terminal, for export outside of Iowa or for sale in Iowa.

Sale for Export

If an ethanol plant is selling for export out of Iowa, whether through a middleman or not, there is no Iowa fuel tax collected or due to state of Iowa. The out-of-state purchaser needs an Iowa exporters license.

Sale in Iowa to Non-Terminal Location

If the middle scenario shown above exists, the ethanol plant is required to collect and pay Iowa fuel tax under a supplier license.

Sale for IRS Gasoline Terminal

If an ethanol plant is selling ethanol bound for an IRS gasoline terminal, then no Iowa fuel tax is due at this point. The Iowa fuel tax is imposed when it is withdrawn from the IRS terminal. Persons with alcohol storage in the IRS terminal and those who own the alcohol in the IRS terminal up to and including withdrawal will be required to be registered as a storage facility and file with the Department. If the middleman or marketer or broker has no ownership of the product when leaving the ethanol plant or later, they do not need a license if the ethanol plant is reporting all transactions properly. If the middleman or marketer or broker does take ownership of product, then two options are available:

1. No license needed if the ethanol plant is reporting all transactions with all detail properly.
2. If due to proprietary or other contractual arrangements, the ethanol plant does not know all detail to report, then the marketer must have a storage facility license and file a schedule of receipts of all loads of ethanol or E85 received and a schedule of disbursements for all loads of ethanol or E85 sold.

Other persons in the middle scenario above such as a bulk plant, jobber, retailer, or consumer who may later own this ethanol do not normally need a license or file returns or schedules since the Iowa fuel tax should have been charged and collected as required. However, if no Iowa fuel tax is charged and collected; they can be held liable for the tax.

The following Iowa fuel tax licenses are or may be required:

• Storage facility license required for each location. Register on GovConnectIowa. 
• Supplier license may also be required. Register on GovConnectIowa. 
• Refund Permit - Ethanol plants typically purchase a denaturing product for the alcohol. Since this denaturing product is usually a fuel on which Iowa fuel tax was paid, they are entitled to file for a refund for this fuel tax paid. A refund permit is required before refunds can be issued. Complete the Register on GovConnectIowa. Type of permit: Denaturing Alcohol (54).

Other requirements for storage facility and supplier licenses:

• Must report ALL fuel transactions electronically.
• Storage facility license must report ALL fuel transactions, both disbursements and receipts. Include receipts of fuel which become part of the ethanol sold.
• Supplier license for ethanol plants report only transactions where Iowa fuel tax is due.
• Ethanol plant is required to have either the state to which the fuel is being exported (delivery address, not billing address) or if delivered to an Iowa location, the IRS gasoline terminal code on each invoice; if neither of these requirements is met, Iowa fuel tax is due. Iowa fuel tax computations are based on gross gallons, not net gallons.

An ethanol plant may also be a producer of E-10 to E-14 or E15 or higher.

They could either sell the E-10 to E-14, or E-15 or higher acting like a wholesaler or sell as a retailer directly to the final consumer. Ethanol plants report these sales of E-10 to E-14 or E15 or higher on their supplier license and pay the appropriate Iowa fuel tax to the Department (fuel tax due on untaxed portion of the sale).

Ethanol plants should have purchased the gasoline portion (in addition to the denaturant portion) of the ethanol with Iowa fuel tax paid. If Iowa fuel tax paid on the gasoline portion was greater than the rate charged to the consumer, the ethanol plant would be entitled to a tax overpaid on blended fuel refund. Tax Overpaid or Underpaid on Blended Fuel (82-012) (within GovConnectIowa), must be filed to claim this refund. This is separate from the denaturant refund.

If the ethanol plant also produces and sells E-10 to E-14 or E15 or higher, their schedule of receipts should include all the fuel purchased to make the E-10 to E-14 or E15 or higher.

Alcohol manufacturer (B) sells unfinished alcohol (no denaturant and not fuel ready) to another alcohol manufacturer (C) for further processing. C puts the alcohol somewhere in the middle of their process to further refine the alcohol, then later adds the denaturant to produce ethanol. B reports the alcohol sales under their storage facility license on a schedule of disbursements with product code 123 (alcohol). This is a nontaxable sale. C reports this alcohol under their storage facility license on schedule of receipts with product code 123 (alcohol). These are also nontaxable.

This chart below only covers the movement of B100 from an Iowa biodiesel plant to an IRS gasoline/diesel terminal, for export outside of Iowa or for sale in Iowa.

Nonterminal Storage Facility license (714) required per Iowa Code section 452A.15 (3). This license requires monthly electronic filing of a schedule of disbursements (schedule code 15B) detailing all B100 or B99 sold. It also requires schedule of receipts (Schedule code 15A) of any fuel purchased which is blended with B100 or B99. Penalties for failure to file start at $100 a month and increase by $100 a month.

Sale for Export

If a biodiesel plant is selling for export out of Iowa, whether through a middleman or not, no Iowa fuel tax collected or due to state of Iowa. The out-of-state purchaser must provide seller with copy of their Iowa exporters license (711). Out of state location must be on the bill of lading or invoice.

Sale to IRS Gasoline/Diesel Terminal

If a biodiesel plant is selling B100 bound for an Iowa IRS gasoline/diesel terminal (IRS gasoline terminal number on invoice or bill of lading), then no Iowa fuel tax is due at this point. The Iowa fuel tax is imposed when it is withdrawn from the IRS terminal. Persons with biodiesel storage in the IRS terminal must be licensed as a supplier and file with the Department. Schedules filed should include an IRS terminal number in one of the destination fields. 

Sale in Iowa to Non IRS Terminal Location

If either two of the middle scenarios shown above exists, the biodiesel plant may be required to collect and pay Iowa fuel tax under a supplier license. If purchaser has an Iowa suppliers (704) or blenders (707) license, then no Iowa fuel tax due. Note: The person with the blender license can choose to have the plant charge the tax, instead of paying on their blender's license. If purchaser does not have either of these licenses, Iowa fuel tax due at diesel fuel tax rate.

If Iowa fuel tax is due, then biodiesel plant is required to have an Iowa supplier’s license (704). Monthly electronic filing required. Report only those sales where Iowa fuel tax is due on this supplier’s license.

Dyed biodiesel

B100 or B99 which becomes dyed special fuel is exempt from Iowa fuel tax or subject to refund if Iowa fuel tax was already paid.

B100 or B99 imported into Iowa

Iowa fuel tax is due on the B100 or B99 when it enters the state unless going to an IRS gasoline/diesel terminal (IRS terminal number on invoice or bill of lading) or being sold to an Iowa licensed blender or sold to an Iowa licensed supplier.

If sold to the licensed supplier or blender, they would be responsible for the tax. Tax is due when the shipment comes across the state line.

If the destination is IA when it’s pulled from the out of state IRS terminal, then the supplier in the terminal should collect and pay the Iowa fuel tax. However if pulled from a NE terminal and the destination is NE, but the customer imports the fuel into Iowa, then Iowa fuel tax is due.

The license status of your customer can make a difference. If they are an Iowa licensed blender, they can choose to be the person responsible for the Iowa fuel tax on B100.

If the middleman or marketer or broker has no ownership of the product when leaving the biodiesel plant or later, they do not need a license if the biodiesel plant is reporting all transactions properly. If the middleman or marketer or broker does take ownership of product, then two options are available:

1. No license needed if the biodiesel plant is reporting all transactions with all detail properly.
2. If due to proprietary or other contractual arrangements, the biodiesel plant does not know all detail to report, then the marketer must have a storage facility license and file a schedule of receipts of all loads of diesel or biodiesel received and a schedule of disbursements for all loads of biodiesel sold.

Other persons (non suppliers and blenders) in the middle scenario above such as a bulk plant, jobber, retailer, or consumer who may later own this biodiesel do not normally need a license or file returns or schedules since the Iowa fuel tax should have been charged and collected as required. However, if no Iowa fuel tax is charged and collected; they can be held liable for the tax.

The following Iowa fuel tax licenses are or may be required:

• Storage facility license required for each location. Register on GovConnectIowa. 
• Supplier license may also be required. Register on GovConnectIowa. 

Other requirements for storage facility and supplier licenses:

• Must report ALL fuel transactions electronically.
• Storage facility license must report ALL fuel transactions, both disbursements and receipts. Include receipts of fuel which become part of the biodiesel sold.
• Supplier license for biodiesel plants report only transactions where Iowa fuel tax is due.
• Invoices - Biodiesel plant is required to have either the state to which the fuel is being exported (delivery address, not billing address) or if delivered to an Iowa location, the IRS gasoline/diesel terminal code on each invoice or if sold to a licensed supplier or blender at an Iowa location include their name and delivery address; if none of these requirements is met, Iowa fuel tax is due.

Iowa fuel tax paid on diesel blended with B100 for federal credit. Iowa fuel tax paid on this diesel is not subject to refund.

Note: Manly Terminal LLC is not an IRS registered gasoline terminal.

Refunds are allowable for the tax paid on motor fuel and undyed special fuel in the following situations:

Agricultural Production

Farmers, ranchers, greenhouses, and other similar businesses using motor fuel or undyed special fuel in agricultural or livestock production.

Federal Government

The United States, its agencies and instrumentalities. This includes the Red Cross, Project Head Start, Federal Land Banks and Federal Land Bank Associations.

State Government

The State of Iowa, its agencies and political subdivisions.

Other Political Subdivisions

An entity that (a) has a specific geographic area, and (b) has public officials elected at public elections, and (c) has taxing power, and (d) benefits the general public, and (e) is approved by the State of Iowa. This includes counties, cities, and public schools. The refund is not available to agencies or instrumentalities of a political subdivision, but rather only to the agencies and political subdivisions of the state of Iowa.

Benefited Fire Districts

If the fuel is used for public purposes. Districts should apply for an Other Political Subdivision refund permit.

Urban Transit System

Bus systems that transport passengers without discrimination, primarily on the streets of cities, and meet the requirements of the Iowa Department of Transportation. Also included is a company operating a taxicab service under contract with an Iowa urban transit system.

Regional Transit System

A public transit system serving one county, or all or part of a multi-county area, whose boundaries correspond to the regional planning areas designated by the governor or approved by the Iowa Department of Revenue. 

Native American Tribe

Native American Tribes who purchase and use fuel for tribal purposes on their own Indian Country or Native American Tribes who sell directly to their tribal members on their own Indian Country.

Contract Carrier

A carrier who has a contract with a public school under Iowa Code section 285.5 for transporting students.

Commercial Fishing

Licensed and operating under an owner's certificate issued pursuant to Iowa Code section 482.4; for fuel used in watercraft.

Home Heating

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel used in home heating.

Extraction and Processing of Natural Deposits

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel used for extraction and processing of natural deposits.

Denaturing Alcohol

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel used for denaturing alcohol.

Refrigeration Units (reefers)

Motor fuel and undyed special fuel used in refrigeration units.

Pumping Credits (dry products)

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel placed in the supply tank of a motor vehicle when the motor is used as a power source for off-loading.

Pumping Credits (wet products)

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel placed in the supply tank of a motor vehicle when the motor is used as a power source for off-loading

Off Road

Motor fuel and undyed special fuel in unlicensed vehicles not operated on public highways.

Racing Fuel

Fuel used to power vehicles used in racing. Users of racing fuel should apply for an Off Road refund permit.

Export of Tax Paid Fuel

Distributors only. Motor fuel or undyed special fuel purchased tax-paid and sold in smaller quantities (less than transport load) to consumers outside the state.

Idle Time

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel used when the engine is running but not propelling or operating the vehicle.

Power Takeoff

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel used for powering auxiliary equipment that is powered by the power takeoff.

Ready Mix

Motor fuel or undyed special fuel placed in the fuel supply tank of the vehicle; refund on 30 percent; accurate records must be maintained.

Solid Waste

Off-loading. Motor fuel or undyed special fuel placed in the fuel supply tank of the vehicle; refund on 30 percent; accurate records must be maintained.

Refund Agent

A person requesting a refund for idle time, power takeoff, refrigeration units, pumping credits, or transport diversions may designate another person as an agent to file the claim and receive the refund. See the previous definitions for the following: Reefer Unit, Pumping Credits (dry products), Pumping Credits (wet products), Idle Time, Power Takeoff.

Transport Diversions

Transport loads of motor fuel or undyed special fuel which are sold tax-paid with an Iowa destination and later diverted to a point outside the state.

Report Transport Diversions

Casualty Losses

Fuel lost or destroyed through fire, explosion, lightning, flood, storm, leakage, theft or other casualty.

Special Fuel Blending Errors

This type of claim is similar to a casualty loss in that it relates to contamination of undyed special fuel. If dyed special fuel is inadvertently mixed with tax-paid undyed special fuel - to the extent that the undyed fuel must be converted to exempt dyed fuel by having additional dye added - the tax is refundable on the undyed special fuel.

Tax Overpaid or Underpaid on Blended Fuel

This arises when the tax rate on the final blended product is different than the fuel tax rate of the individual products prior to blending.

Returns, schedules and reports are required to be filed electronically online through GovConnectIowa.

Fuel Tax has three electronic filing methods. Online (tax return only), schedule upload, or Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) (schedules only).

Restrictive suppliers, importers and blenders that have less than 5,000 gallons of fuel per month may file the return online in GovConnectIowa You will log into GovConnectIowa and key in your total gallons. Schedules of Disbursements and Receipts are not required.

All restrictive suppliers, importers and blenders with at least 5,000 gallons of fuel or more per month; all transportation companies with at least 100,000 gallons of fuel or more per month; and all suppliers, terminals, and nonterminal storage facilities are required by rule to file their schedules using Schedule Upload or EDI. Before you can file you must call (515) 242-6829 to set a flag for the correct filing method. Filing the schedules will automatically create the tax return with the Department.

• Schedule Upload: You will upload Schedules of Disbursements and Receipts on GovConnectIowa. Use the Schedule Upload Template (80-017) available in GovConnectIowa. 
• EDI: You will need to follow the Iowa Fuel Tax EDI Implementation Guide. You will upload Schedules of Disbursements and Receipts on GovConnectIowa.

If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday as defined in Iowa code 421.9A, then the due date is the following day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. 

Paying taxes electronically

Payment is required to be made electronically for all Iowa Fuel Tax License holders, including LPG.

Electronic payment options:

• Direct Debit – EasyPay Iowa
• ACH Credit

Applying your payment

Any payments received will be applied first to the penalty, then to the interest, and the balance, if any, to the tax due.

Extension of time to file

The Department may grant an extension for the filing of any required return or tax payment. The request for extension must be in writing before the due date of the return or remittance. The request must include an explanation justifying the extension. The extension period cannot exceed 30 days.

The Iowa Department of Revenue is modernizing technology and processes to better serve Iowa taxpayers. As part of this modernization effort, there are changes to the way retailers submit their annual report of the gallons of fuel they have sold during each calendar year for each retail location.

In consultation with the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Board, motor fuel retailers, and other interested parties, the Iowa Department of Revenue established an annual reporting requirement by Administrative Code rule 701—259.27.

The Annual Fuel Gallons Report can be filed beginning January 1 using the Department’s online portal, GovConnectIowa.

Steps for filing your Annual Fuel Gallons Report:

1. Sign into your GovConnectIowa account.

• Don’t have your logon yet? Learn more about signing up for GovConnectIowa and connecting to your current tax accounts.

2. After signing in, locate the correct tax account on the Summary screen
3. Select the File, Amend, or View Returns link
4. Your Annual Fuel Gallons Report will be filed on the Motor Fuel Retailer Return. Locate the correct return for the current year and select the File Now link
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to file your Annual Fuel Gallons

• To key in your information for each location, select Manual Entry on the Reporting Method screen.
• To upload your information using an Excel spreadsheet, select Excel Spreadsheet on the Reporting Method screen. You must use the template provided on GovConnectIowa to upload your information

6. Review and confirm your information to ensure you correctly keyed the gallons sold for each fuel blend.

After reviewing, select Submit to complete your report.

Failure to timely file a return

A penalty of 10 percent will be added to the tax due for failure to timely file a return if at least 90 percent of the correct amount of tax is not paid by the due date. The penalty can only be waived under limited circumstances.

For each month the required tax is not paid, interest accrues on the unpaid tax at a rate prescribed by law from the due date of the return until payment is received. For purposes of computing interest, each fraction of a month constitutes a whole month. Where the failure to file penalty and one of the other penalties are applicable, the failure to file penalty shall take precedence. No penalty is assessed for late filed reports if no tax is due; however, recurring instances of failure to file reports timely or failure to pay tax timely will result in the imposition of a bond requirement or revocation of the permit.

Failure to timely pay the tax due

A penalty of 5 percent will be added to the tax if at least 90 percent of the correct amount of tax is not paid by the due date. The penalty can only be waived under limited circumstances. For each month the required tax is not paid, interest accrues on the unpaid tax at a rate prescribed by law from the due date of the return until payment is received. For purposes of computing interest, each fraction of a month constitutes a whole month. Recurring instances of failure to file reports timely or failure to pay tax timely will result in the imposition of a bond requirement or revocation of the permit.

Failure to pay electronically

A penalty of 5 percent will be added to the tax due if the payment is not received electronically through ePay or ACH credit as required.

Failure to use the required method of filing

Fuel and LPG tax returns, schedules and reports must be filed through GovConnectIowa. If not, a penalty of 5 percent of the amount of tax due will be added.

Failure to file a transportation, terminal or nonterminal storage facility report

A penalty of $100 for the first violation, and an additional $100 for each subsequent violation occurring within the same calendar year, is imposed for failure to file the required transportation, terminal or nonterminal storage facility reports.

Penalty for improper receipt of refund

If a person files an incorrect refund claim, in addition to the excess amount of the claim, a penalty of 10 percent shall be added to the amount by which the amount claimed and refunded exceeds the amount actually due. If a person knowingly files a fraudulent refund claim with the intent to evade the tax, the penalty shall be 75 percent in lieu of the 10 percent.

Failure to file a Retailer's Annual Fuel Gallons Report

Each dealer is required to file with the Department the Annual Fuel Gallons Report, which details the number of fuel gallons sold during the previous calendar year on both a companywide basis and a site-by-site basis. The Annual Fuel Gallons Report is due by January 31 following the close of the calendar year. A penalty of $100 per location is assessed when a retailer neglects to timely submit the Annual Fuel Gallons Report.

When necessary and advisable to secure payment of tax, the Department may require a bond of any license holder. The Department generally requires a bond on a new applicant only if the applicant has established an unfavorable filing or remittance record on a previous license or if the Department feels the applicant's financial status is such that timely payment of taxes is questionable.

If the license holder is a corporation, an officer of the corporation may assume personal responsibility for the payment of the fuel tax.

The following records must be kept for three years by licensees:

• Copies of bills of lading or manifests
• Purchase invoices
• Copies of sales invoices
• Exemption certificates (LPG, LNG, CNG, Electric Fuel, and Hydrogen only)
• Purchase records
• Sales records
• Copies of reports and schedules filed with the Department
• Iowa export schedules
• Canceled checks and cash register tapes

Storage Facility records:

• Records to evidence the acquisition of fuel
• Bills of lading or manifests covering the withdrawal of fuel
• Copies of filed reports and supporting schedules

In 2013, the Iowa legislature enacted House File 640 to protect the rights of distributors and dealers to blend fuel. The law prohibits oil refiner’s supply agreements from limiting the ability of distributors and dealers to offer the ethanol and biodiesel blends of their choice. Report Fraud  to report suspected fraud. We will keep your email address confidential and will not use it for any other purpose.