Ohio Cuts Diesel Tax for 90 Days but IFTA Reporting Still Applies

Ohio has enacted a 90-day motor-fuel tax reduction that will temporarily cut the state levy collected on diesel purchases. Land Line Media reported October 1 that Governor Mike DeWine signed House Bill 519 after approval by both legislative chambers. Official state announcements confirm the measure takes effect October 4 and temporarily reduces Ohio’s 47-cent-per-gallon diesel tax and 38.5-cent gasoline tax through the holiday period.

The legislation transfers approximately $725 million from Ohio’s General Revenue Fund to replace affected transportation revenue, preserving funding for state and local road work. For fleets buying large volumes of fuel in Ohio, the temporary diesel reduction could materially lower pump expense. Actual savings will depend on where trucks fuel, how retailers implement the change and the number of gallons purchased while the reduced rate is active.

The tax holiday does not eliminate International Fuel Tax Agreement responsibilities. Land Line reported that motor carriers should continue tracking Ohio miles and fuel purchases and should still include the jurisdiction on quarterly IFTA returns. Official adjusted rates are expected in the quarterly IFTA matrix. Drivers therefore need complete fuel receipts and accurate mileage records even when the tax shown at the pump is reduced.

Fleet accounting teams should update fuel-tax software only after confirming the effective Ohio rate and dates from official guidance. Dispatchers should avoid assuming that buying discounted fuel automatically removes every later tax calculation, since IFTA reconciles fuel taxes according to travel and purchases across jurisdictions. Retain receipts, keep odometer or GPS mileage data and document any software-rate change. When the 90-day period ends, restore the normal rate promptly so fourth-quarter and first-quarter reporting does not mix holiday and standard transactions.