Illinois Waives Fuel Taxes for Hurricane Relief Efforts

By: Benjamin Valdez

Illinois and several other states are suspending registration requirements under the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) for vehicles assisting with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) on September 30 announced that through October 28 the state Department of Revenue is waiving requirements for IFTA registration and motor fuel use tax single trip permits for vehicles that travel out of state to deliver emergency supplies to a federally declared disaster zone.

IFTA is an agreement between 48 states and 10 Canadian provinces that seeks to simplify motor fuel use tax compliance for vehicles that operate in multiple states. Under the agreement, those drivers are required to register in their base jurisdiction and file quarterly gas tax returns in that jurisdiction.

“To our friends in the Southeastern US: here in Illinois, we are no stranger to the devastating effects of climate change — and we are here to do everything we can to support your relief efforts," Pritzker said in the release. "That's why my administration is suspending the fuel tax for commercial vehicles providing aid to Floridians in areas affected by Hurricane Ian.”

The temporary gas tax relief will apply to operators of qualified vehicles who can provide proof that the vehicle is going to a disaster area or that it came from a disaster area and “is returning to or through Illinois from providing essential goods and services to the declared area(s),” according to the DOR waiver. The department emphasized that the waiver is in effect for 30 days, after which motor carriers must properly register to continue travel throughout Illinois.

Several other states that participate in the IFTA have issued similar temporary suspensions of registration requirements for vehicles contributing to Hurricane Ian relief, including Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky, according to the agreement's website.