IFTA Renewal for 2027: What to Do Now

IFTA licenses and decals are issued for a calendar year. Yours expire on December 31, and the new set for 2027 has to come from your base jurisdiction. Here is the timeline, what the grace period does and does not cover, and what can hold up a renewal.

A timeline: renewal notice in November or December, file the renewal by December 31, Q4 return due January 31, and a January to February grace period to display the new decals. — The IFTA renewal timeline. Exact dates and fees depend on your base jurisdiction.

File the renewal before the year ends

Under the IFTA Articles of Agreement, the base jurisdiction issues a renewal license and decals for the following calendar year on application, and some jurisdictions renew good-standing licensees automatically instead of asking for an application. IFTA, Inc. has been clear about timing: the renewal has to be filed with your base jurisdiction before the end of the year. Renewal notices, forms and fees differ from state to state and province to province, so use your own base jurisdiction's IFTA page and watch the mail and email address on file with them.

Have your VIN list ready

Many jurisdictions now ask for a list of the VINs of your qualified vehicles with the renewal. Pull yours together before you start, and make sure it lists the trucks you will run next year: add any you bought this year and leave off any you sold or do not plan to use.

Your returns must be up to date

A jurisdiction will renew your license only if it has not been revoked, suspended or canceled, every tax return has been filed, and all fuel taxes, penalties and interest have been paid. If you have a return outstanding, the Q3 return included, clear it before you file the renewal. See Missed the IFTA Q3 deadline? What to do now.

New decals can go on early

You may start using the new license and decals up to two months before their effective date, so renewal credentials can go on the truck in November or December. The condition is that you still file a fourth quarter return for the old year, covering all your operations that quarter.

The January and February grace period

If your new decals have not arrived by January 1, IFTA allows two months, January and February, to display the renewal credentials. During that time you may display the current-year or prior-year license and decals from your base jurisdiction, or carry a valid trip permit for the jurisdiction you are in. IFTA's own notice adds the catch: the grace period is for displaying the credentials, not for filing the renewal. The application still has to be in before December 31.

Do not forget the Q4 return

The fourth quarter return and any tax due are payable on January 31. When that date falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day is the due date. In 2027, January 31 is a Sunday, so the return is due Monday, February 1. Renewing your license does not file it, and an unfiled return can block next year's renewal.

Have Q4 ready before the renewal arrives

In Trip Sheet Central your trips, miles by state and fuel purchases are already on file, so the Q4 totals come straight from your records. See the IFTA quarter-end checklist and the year-end bookkeeping checklist.