Form 720 e-filing checklist for 2025
If you plan to file this year, use this practical Form 720 e-filing checklist to get organized early, avoid last minute scrambling, and reduce the risk of IRS rejects.
Who typically files Form 720
Form 720 is the quarterly federal excise tax return. You may need to file if your business collects or owes federal excise taxes in areas such as:
- Fuels and alternative fuels, including certain kerosene, diesel, gasoline, and blends
- Air transportation and communications taxes
- Environmental and chemical excise taxes, including reinstated Superfund chemical taxes (often computed on Form 6627)
- Manufacturers or retailers of specific goods, for example heavy trucks and trailers, tires, sport fishing equipment
- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research fee (PCORI) for issuers of specified health insurance policies and plan sponsors of applicable self-insured health plans
For the authoritative list of taxes and current instructions, see the IRS Instructions for Form 720: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i720
2025 filing deadlines
Form 720 is due by the last day of the month following the end of the quarter. If the due date falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
| 2025 Quarter | Period Covered | Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | January 1 to March 31 | April 30, 2025 |
| Q2 2025 | April 1 to June 30 | July 31, 2025 |
| Q3 2025 | July 1 to September 30 | October 31, 2025 |
| Q4 2025 | October 1 to December 31 | January 31, 2026 |
Reference: IRS Publication 509, Tax Calendars, for current-year timing rules: https://www.irs.gov/publications/p509
Work through this list before you start entering data. It will help you finish in one sitting and pass IRS validations on the first try.
- Business profile
- Employer Identification Number, legal business name, and address exactly as shown on your IRS records
- Contact person and phone number
- Responsible official who will sign the return
- Quarter and tax categories
- Confirm the quarter you are filing
- List every excise tax category that applies to your business for the quarter. Use the line descriptions in the Form 720 instructions to map your activity to the correct lines in Part I and Part II
- Detailed liability data by category
- Fuels and alternative fuels: gallons received, removed, blended, or sold, taxability by use, and records supporting any exemptions
- Air transportation and communications: amounts collected and any adjustments
- Environmental and chemical taxes: quantities manufactured or imported, rates, and computations. Many environmental taxes are calculated on Form 6627, then carried to Form 720
- Manufacturers and retailers taxes: taxable sales amounts, tax previously paid, and documentation for exempt sales
- PCORI fee: plan year end date, average number of covered lives, and the method used to compute the average. See IRS guidance on methods for counting covered lives: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/pcori-fee
- Deposits and Schedule A readiness
- Determine whether you were required to make semimonthly deposits and the total deposited for the quarter
- If deposits were required, be prepared to complete Schedule A, Excise Tax Liability, which reconciles your semimonthly liabilities with the deposits. Deposit rules and thresholds are in the Form 720 instructions
- Credits, exemptions, and refunds
- Documentation for credits you plan to claim on Schedule C, Claims, for example tax-paid fuel used for an exempt purpose or items exported
- Certificates, exemption letters, or registration numbers that support non-taxable sales or rates
- Attachments and supporting forms
- Form 6627, Environmental Taxes, if applicable: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-6627
- Schedule T, Two-Party Exchange Information, if you engage in qualifying fuel exchanges
- Any other supporting schedules that apply to your activity
- Payment plan
- If your net tax for the quarter meets IRS deposit requirements, ensure deposits are made on time through EFTPS: https://www.eftps.gov
- If you are allowed to pay with the return, have your payment details ready and plan to pay by the return due date
- Final review and signature
- Cross-check totals between Part I, Part II, Schedule A, and Schedule C
- Confirm signatory name and title. Review for name and EIN mismatches that trigger rejects
For line-by-line guidance, always rely on the latest IRS instructions: https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i720
Category-specific prep notes
Because Form 720 covers many industries, here are focused reminders by common category.
-
Fuels and alternative fuels
- Keep source documents that show quantities by product code and use, for example terminal reports, meters, bills of lading, or exchange agreements
- If you claim credits for tax-paid fuels used in exempt ways, gather detailed logs and consider whether the claim belongs on Schedule C of Form 720 or on a separate Form 8849 claim
- If you participate in two-party exchanges in the bulk transfer system, prepare Schedule T
-
Environmental and chemical taxes
- Many environmental excise taxes are computed on Form 6627, then transferred to Form 720
- Maintain unit and weight records, import documents, and manufacturing logs that support taxable quantities
-
Air transportation and communications
- Reconcile amounts collected from customers, any tax-included pricing, and credits for refunds or exempt sales
- Verify that deposits made during the quarter align with Schedule A
-
Manufacturers and retailers excise taxes
- Track taxable and exempt sales separately, especially exports and sales to exempt purchasers
- Keep invoices that clearly show taxable items like certain heavy trucks and trailers or tires
-
PCORI fee filers
- The PCORI return is filed on the second quarter Form 720 and is due by July 31
- Document your method for counting average covered lives and use the fee per covered life applicable to your plan year end. See the IRS PCORI page for the current amount: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/pcori-fee
How to e-file confidently with eFileExcise720
eFileExcise720 is an IRS-authorized e-filing platform built for Form 720. You can create a free account, work in a simple dashboard, and transmit securely without downloading software. Personalized customer support is available if you need help.
A typical e-file flow looks like this:
- Create your free account at https://www.efileexcise720.com and add your business profile with EIN and address
- Choose the quarter you are filing and select the tax categories that apply
- Enter your liability amounts for each line in Part I and Part II, then add any Schedule A, Schedule C, Schedule T, or Form 6627 data that applies
- Review system checks and your own documentation, then confirm the return summary
- Arrange payment according to IRS rules for deposits or pay-with-return
- E-sign and transmit your return. Save the IRS acceptance acknowledgement for your records
Security note: eFileExcise720 uses secure data protection practices, and the platform is authorized by the IRS to transmit Form 720 returns.
Common errors that cause delays or IRS rejects
- Mismatch between EIN and legal name compared to IRS records
- Selecting the wrong quarter or using an outdated form year
- Omitting Schedule A when deposits were required during the quarter
- Claiming a credit on Schedule C without the supporting documentation or without meeting the eligibility rules
- Math that does not reconcile between Part I, Part II, Schedule A, and the final amount due or overpayment
- Forgetting to include Form 6627 when environmental taxes apply
- Treating a deposit as a payment with return or vice versa
- Missing signature or using a nonauthorized signatory
Amending a filed return or claiming a refund
- Corrections to a previously filed return generally require Form 720-X. See the IRS page for Form 720-X: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-720-x. eFileExcise720 supports Form 720-X e-filing
- Certain excise tax refunds and credits are claimed on Form 8849, Claims for Refund of Excise Taxes: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8849. eFileExcise720 supports Form 8849 claims
- Keep in mind the time limits for correcting or claiming amounts. Refer to the Form 720-X and Form 8849 instructions for statute details and eligibility
Recordkeeping tips for audits and credits
- Keep source documents that support every line you filed, including deposits, for at least four years
- Track certificates and exemption documentation, for example Form 637 registration numbers where applicable: https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-637
- Retain IRS e-file acceptance acknowledgements and any correspondence
What changed for 2025
- Watch for annual updates in the Form 720 instructions and the PCORI fee amount tied to your plan year. The IRS updates these pages periodically. Always check the latest versions before filing
- If your business deals with environmental or chemical excise taxes, confirm current rates and any list changes on the IRS site and in Form 6627 instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to make deposits or can I pay with the return?
The answer depends on your net tax liability and the type of excise taxes you owe. Many filers must make semimonthly deposits when their liability reaches the IRS deposit threshold. Others with small quarterly liability may pay with the return. See the deposit rules in the Form 720 instructions.
When is the PCORI fee due in 2025?
PCORI is reported on the second quarter Form 720 and is due by July 31, 2025. Use the fee amount that corresponds to your plan year end on the IRS PCORI page.
What attachments are commonly required with Form 720?
Schedule A if you were required to make deposits, Schedule C for certain credits or adjustments, Schedule T for qualifying two-party exchanges of fuels, and Form 6627 for environmental taxes.
How do I pay my excise tax deposits?
Most deposits are made electronically through the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System. Visit https://www.eftps.gov to enroll and schedule deposits.
Can I amend a Form 720 that I already filed?
Yes. Use Form 720-X to correct a previously filed return. For certain refundable credits, you may need Form 8849. Review the IRS instructions to pick the right path.
File your Form 720 online in minutes
Ready to file without the stress? Start your return with the IRS-authorized platform built for Form 720. Create your free account and file securely with support when you need it.
Get started at eFileExcise720: https://www.efileexcise720.com