> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.catenatelematics.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

> Understand IFTA compliance requirements and how to access normalized fuel and mileage data across telematics providers

export const ProviderCountSnippet = () => <Callout icon="layer-group" color="#3b82f6" iconType="duotone">
    <p>
      Catena currently supports <strong>216 ELD providers</strong>. <a href="/get-started/supported-providers">See the list</a>.
    </p>
  </Callout>;

<Check>
  **IFTA** is a tax agreement that simplifies fuel tax reporting for carriers operating across multiple U.S. states and Canadian provinces. Access jurisdictional mileage and fuel purchase data through Catena's unified API.
</Check>

## What is IFTA?

The [International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)](https://www.iftach.org/) is a cooperative agreement among 48 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces that simplifies fuel tax reporting for interstate motor carriers. Instead of filing separate tax returns in each jurisdiction, carriers file one quarterly report with their base jurisdiction, which handles tax redistribution.

<Note>
  IFTA applies to qualified motor vehicles that operate in more than one member jurisdiction and have a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds or three or more axles.
</Note>

## Key IFTA Benefits

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Simplified Compliance" icon="file-invoice">
    File one quarterly report instead of separate returns in each state or province you operate in
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fair Tax Distribution" icon="scale-balanced">
    Pay fuel taxes based on where miles are driven, not just where fuel is purchased
  </Card>

  <Card title="Reduced Administrative Burden" icon="clock">
    Eliminate the need to track and manage individual state fuel tax permits and filings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audit Protection" icon="shield-check">
    Maintain accurate records with automated data collection to support compliance during audits
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Required IFTA Data

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Distance Traveled by Jurisdiction" icon="route">
    Total miles or kilometers driven in each state or province during the reporting quarter. This data comes from GPS tracking and telematics devices that automatically log vehicle location and distance.

    **Source:** ELD devices, GPS telematics systems
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Fuel Purchases" icon="gas-pump">
    All fuel purchases including gallons/liters purchased, purchase location, date, and fuel type. This includes both taxed and tax-exempt fuel transactions.

    **Source:** Fuel card transactions, receipts, telematics fuel events
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Jurisdictional Breakdown" icon="map-location-dot">
    Detailed trip data showing entry/exit points for each jurisdiction to accurately calculate distance traveled per state or province.

    **Source:** GPS coordinates, geofencing data from telematics providers
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vehicle Information" icon="truck">
    Vehicle identification number (VIN), fuel type (diesel, gasoline, propane, etc.), registered gross vehicle weight, and fleet assignment details.

    **Source:** Fleet management systems, vehicle registration records
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Warning>
  Incomplete or inaccurate IFTA records can result in penalties, fines, audits, or vehicles being placed out of service. Automated data collection through telematics significantly reduces compliance risk.
</Warning>

## How IFTA Data Flows

<Steps>
  <Step title="Vehicle Operates Across Jurisdictions" icon="truck-moving">
    Commercial vehicles travel through multiple states or provinces, with telematics devices continuously tracking location, distance, and operational data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Telematics Captures Data" icon="satellite-dish">
    GPS and ELD systems automatically log mileage by jurisdiction and record fuel events. Fuel card systems capture purchase transactions with location and quantity details.
  </Step>

  <Step title="TSP Aggregates & Stores" icon="database">
    Telematics Service Providers compile trip data, calculate jurisdictional miles, and store fuel purchase records for reporting periods.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Catena Normalizes Access" icon="grid-2">
    Catena provides standardized API access to IFTA-relevant data across providers, eliminating the need to integrate with each TSP individually.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate Quarterly Reports" icon="file-chart-column">
    Use normalized data to automatically generate IFTA tax reports showing miles traveled and fuel purchased by jurisdiction for quarterly filing.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## IFTA Reporting Requirements

| Requirement                  | Details                                                                 | Filing Frequency |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------- |
| **Distance by Jurisdiction** | Total miles driven in each IFTA member state/province                   | Quarterly        |
| **Fuel Purchases**           | Total gallons/liters purchased with jurisdiction breakdown              | Quarterly        |
| **Tax Calculation**          | Compute tax owed or credits based on mileage and fuel consumption rates | Quarterly        |
| **Recordkeeping**            | Maintain supporting documents for 4 years (trip logs, fuel receipts)    | Ongoing          |
| **Filing Deadline**          | Last day of the month following the quarter end                         | Quarterly        |

## Common IFTA Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Automated IFTA Reporting" icon="file-invoice-dollar" href="/api-reference/overview">
    Build applications that automatically generate quarterly IFTA reports from jurisdictional mileage and fuel data
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compliance Dashboards" icon="gauge-high">
    Create real-time visibility into IFTA data collection status, missing records, and report readiness
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fleet Management Platforms" icon="truck-fast">
    Integrate IFTA tracking and reporting into comprehensive fleet management solutions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Audit Support Tools" icon="magnifying-glass-chart">
    Provide detailed trip logs and fuel purchase records to support IFTA audits and investigations
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Access IFTA Data with Catena

Catena provides unified access to IFTA-relevant data across telematics providers. Retrieve jurisdictional mileage, fuel purchases, and trip details in a standardized format without managing provider-specific integrations.

<ProviderCountSnippet />

See the [API Reference](/api-reference/overview) for complete endpoint documentation and request/response examples.

<Tip>
  Combine telematics trip data with fuel card integrations to automatically reconcile fuel purchases with vehicle locations for accurate IFTA reporting.
</Tip>

***

# Ready to Get Started?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="rocket" title="Quick Start Guide" href="/get-started/quickstart">
    Get up and running in 10 minutes with our step-by-step integration tutorial.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="book-open" title="API Reference" href="/api-reference">
    Explore all available endpoints, parameters, and response formats.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="user-plus" title="Get API Credentials" href="/get-started/getting-access">
    Request access to start building with the Catena Telematics API.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="plug" title="Supported Providers" href="/get-started/supported-providers">
    Browse the telematics providers available through our platform.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>