Audience: Businesses
A. IFTA License Application Procedures
Any motor carrier based in Maryland and operating one or more qualified motor vehicles in at least one (1) other member jurisdiction must file an IFTA license application in Maryland.
Alternatively, motor carriers may obtain trip permits in lieu of motor fuel tax licensing, persons may elect to satisfy motor fuels use tax obligations on a trip-by-trip basis.
Carriers that qualify as IFTA licensees, but do not wish to participate in the IFTA program, must obtain trip permits to travel through member jurisdictions according to the regulations and fees of each member jurisdiction including Maryland on any return trip.
However, the potential cost of trip permits and the carrier’s individual responsibility to contact every IFTA jurisdiction to comply with their trip permit requirements and restrictions will solely be decided by the carrier.
An IFTA license application must be signed by an owner, partner, member, or corporate officer listed on the application, or by a licensing agent.
A carrier can apply for an IFTA license by email, online, or schedule an appointment at any of the Comptroller’s 11 taxpayer service branch offices located in Maryland. Please find our contact info below:
Comptroller of Maryland
Field Enforcement Bureau
Licensing Unit
P.O. Box 2397
Annapolis, MD 21404-2397
Telephone: 410-260-7215
IFTA Online- https://md.motorcarrierconnect.com/
Email: IFTALICENSING@marylandtaxes.gov
A carrier will not be issued IFTA credentials if the carrier was previously licensed in another IFTA member jurisdiction and the carrier’s license is under suspension or has been revoked by that member jurisdiction. The Comptroller will not issue a license if the license application submitted contains misrepresentations, misstatements, or omits required information.
B. Annual License Fee
Maryland does not charge an annual renewal processing fee for an IFTA license.
C. Account Identification
The applicant’s nine (9) digit Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is required to obtain a license and decals.
D. Bonding
The Comptroller may require an IFTA licensee to post a minimum $1,000 bond when a licensee has failed to file timely reports, when tax has not been remitted, upon any reinstatement of an IFTA license account or when an audit indicates problems severe enough that a bond is required to protect the interests of all member jurisdictions.
E. IFTA License
The Comptroller will issue an IFTA license to the licensee. This license or a photocopy of this license must be maintained in the cab of each qualified motor vehicle. Carriers found operating a qualified motor vehicle without an IFTA license (or photocopy), will be subject to citations and/or fines and the licensee may be required to purchase a trip permit. The IFTA license is valid for the calendar year January 1 through December 31.
F. IFTA Decals
Decals are only issued to accounts in good standing (no outstanding delinquencies, taxes due, or unpaid penalties or interest due ANY state agency).
A two-decal set is issued for each qualified motor vehicle operated by the licensee and remains the property of the Comptroller. The decals must be permanently affixed to the exterior portion of the power unit, one on each side of the unit.
Licensees in good standing may obtain additional decals throughout the license year from FEB, any of the Comptroller’s branch office locations or by request over the internet at:
https://md.motorcarrierconnect.com/
G. Displaying IFTA Credentials (grace periods)
Every qualified motor vehicle must carry an IFTA license and display two (2) decals as described above. Such credentials may be displayed one (1) month before their effective date.
Carriers with a valid IFTA license, and who have been granted an automatic renewal or have submitted an acceptable renewal for the current IFTA renewal period, (PRIOR TO DECEMBER 30th) shall be allowed a two (2) month grace period to display the new IFTA year credentials, providing the prior year credentials are displayed and have not been cancelled or revoked.
There is no grace period for a carrier who, when required, fails to submit a timely renewal request and resolves any outstanding IFTA-related or other monetary or reporting issues.