When you can claim
- Sold, stolen, or destroyed before June 1: credit for the full months remaining after the event.
- Under the mileage limit (5,000, or 7,500 farm) for the whole year on a truck you paid tax for: full refund, claimed after June 30.
- Overpaid because you filed the wrong category or filed twice.
Two ways to use it
As a credit on line 5 of this year's Form 2290, which reduces what you owe, or as a refund on Form 8849 Schedule 6, which the IRS pays by check in a few weeks. If you have a new truck to file, the credit is faster.
What you need
The VIN, the taxable gross weight, the date of the sale, theft, or destruction, and for a sale, the buyer's name and address. Keep the bill of sale or the police or insurance report.
Free here. We fill out Form 8849 and Schedule 6 with the IRS math done, you print, sign, attach a copy of your stamped Schedule 1, and mail it. Filing a new truck too? Start a 2290 instead and the credit comes off what you owe today; no 8849 needed.