The New York State Police and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance today reminded commercial motor carriers that they must register their vehicles for Highway Use Tax (HUT) with the Tax Department. 

Motor carriers are required to display their new registration decal on the front of vehicles.  Citations for failing to do so averaged 500 per month for February, March and April. 

Effective January 1, 2013, each vehicle registered to pay Highway Use Tax (HUT) was required to affix a decal to the front bumper of the vehicle.  This applies to all vehicles with a gross weight of more than 18,000 pounds, other than a truck transporting automotive fuel. 

There have been 54,407 registrants to date – 92 percent of them registering online.  As a result of the registration, the Department collected $3.5 million in outstanding taxes, which are required to be paid before a registration is accepted. 

The new decal requirement also applies to vehicles that have an automotive fuel carrier (AFC) certificate – any truck, trailer, semitrailer, or other “attached device” transporting automotive fuel on New York State highways and weighing more than 18,000 pounds. 

Operating a vehicle without the proper HUT or AFC decal can bring a fine of between $100 and $250 for the first conviction.  A subsequent conviction could bring a fine of $250 to $500, and could include imprisonment for up to 10 days. 

Certain vehicles weighing more than 18,000 pounds, such as government vehicles, buses, or highway construction vehicles, are exempt from HUT and AFC requirements.  The full list of exclusions can be found in the Tax Department’s Publication 529. 

Fast online filing 

Motor carriers can take advantage of the Tax Department’s HUT Web File - a fast and easy way to file their returns online.  The benefits of filing this form electronically include automatic computations that eliminate math errors and an instant “time-stamped” confirmation of the filing e-mailed back to the taxpayer. 

To file online, motor carriers need to create an Online Services account with the Tax Department. 

• View a demo and learn more about HUT Web File

For more information 

• Highway Use Tax information and links