New Highway Use Tax on Carriers Effective January 1 In Connecticut

Connecticut is implementing a highway use tax similar to NY HUT, KYU, OR, NM. This highway use fee is a monthly filing similar to OR and is in addition to the IFTA requirements.

As of January 1, 2023, a Highway Use Fee will be imposed on certain carriers for operating, or causing to be operated, certain heavy, multi-unit motor vehicles on any highway (i.e., public road) in Connecticut “for the privilege of using Connecticut roads”.

The Highway Use Fee is applicable to calendar months beginning on or after January 1, 2023. The first Highway Use Fee Return is due on or before February 28, 2023.

Certain carriers will be required to register with DRS for the Highway Use Fee by January 1, 2023. After registering, a Highway Use Fee Permit will be available in myconneCT.

Who Must Register and File Highway Use Fee Return?

Basically, it is any person that operates or causes to be operated on any highway in this state in any eligible motor vehicle.

An “eligible motor vehicle” does NOT include a motor vehicle carrying or transporting milk or dairy product to or from a dairy farm that holds a license to ship milk. They are EXEMPT from this fee.

An eligible motor vehicle has a gross weight of 26,000 pounds or more and carries a classification between Class 8 and Class 13, inclusive, under the Federal Highway Administration vehicle classification system must register for a Highway Use Fee Permit.

The class 8 is NOT referring to class 8 with IRP (26,001 or more) – it’s referring to the federal highway administration’s definition of class 8, which is:

1. Four or Fewer Axle Single-Trailer Trucks – All vehicles with four or fewer axles consisting of two units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.
2. Five-Axle Single-Trailer Trucks – All five-axle vehicles consisting of two units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.
3. Six or More Axle Single-Trailer Trucks – All vehicles with six or more axles consisting of two units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.
4. Five or Fewer Axle Multi-Trailer Trucks – All vehicles with five or fewer axles consisting of three or more units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.
5. Six-Axle Multi-Trailer Trucks – All six-axle vehicles consisting of three or more units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit
6. Seven or More Axle Multi-Trailer Trucks – All vehicles with seven or more axles consisting of three or more units, one of which is a tractor or straight truck power unit.

Note, it is ONLY for combination vehicles, there MUST be more than 1 unit to be categorized for class 8-13. If you are driving bobtail in the state, make sure these miles are calculated so you do not have to include it in the filings later.

Are there fines for not filing?

Yes. Any person or persons who knowingly violates any provision of Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-493a will be subject to a fine of one thousand dollars.

How To Register

To register for the Highway Use Fee, a carrier must complete and submit an application electronically on DRS’ online portal myconneCT or have CNS help do this for you.

This permit does not need to be renewed and stays permanent until you close out the account. Currently, there IS NO trip permit, even if you go to CT once every 2 years, you need an account, and file monthly.

The Highway Use Fee Return is due on or before the last day of the month following the end of the monthly filing period. The first Highway Use Fee Return is due on or before February 28, 2023.

The carrier will get a permit for the year that is NOT VIN specific, just has the company name on it. The permit can be shown digitally or printed off, there are NO decals or stickers. Connecticut also mails the actual permit to the carrier.

Here is the info you will need when registering:

• Legal name of Business (and DBA if applicable)
• EIN
• Business address
  • County business is in
  • Mailing address if applicable
• Phone number
• Email address to be used on the account
• State of business incorporation/organization
  • Date business was incorporated/organized
• Name of responsible owner/officer
  • Date first employed by company
  • Title
  • SS#
  • Home address
  • Email address

How to Calculate the Highway Use Fee

The Highway Use Fee is calculated based on an eligible motor vehicle’s weight and the number of miles driven in Connecticut. The per‑mile fee rate increases based on the carrier’s gross weight, ranging from

• 2.5 cents per mile for vehicles weighing 26,000-28,000 pounds (lbs.), to
• 17.5 cents per mile for vehicles weighing more than 80,000 lbs

Highway Use Fee Rates (per mile)
Gross Weight (lbs)	Rate (cents per mile)	Gross Weight (lbs)	Rate (cents per mile)
26,000-28,000	0.025	54,001-56,000	0.0654
28,001-30,000	0.0279	56,001-58,000	0.0683
30,001-32,000	0.0308	58,001-60,000	0.0712
32,001-34,000	0.0337	60,001-62,000	0.074
34,001-36,000	0.0365	62,001-64,000	0.0769
36,001-38,000	0.0394	64,001-66,000	0.0798
38,001-40,000	0.0423	66,001-68,000	0.0827
40,001-42,000	0.0452	68,001-70,000	0.0856
42,001-44,000	0.0481	70,001-72,000	0.0885
44,001-46,000	0.051	72,001-74,000	0.0913
46,001-48,000	0.0538	74,001-76,000	0.0942
48,001-50,000	0.0567	76,001-78,000	0.0971
50,001-52,000	0.0596	78,001-80,000	0.1
52,001-54,000	0.0625	80,001 and over	0.175

For more information, contact us at 888.260.9448 or info@cnsprotects.com.

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