Here’s a simple guide to understanding the unique VIN codes per the VIN-to-year chart.
What Is A VIN?
VIN is the vehicle identification number.
It’s a unique combination of letters and numbers, each of which represents a unique aspect of the vehicle.
When put together in the unique assigned sequence, the VIN helps decode the origin of the vehicle, manufacturing details, model, make, engine number, and other information about the vehicle.
If you’re new to decoding VINs, we recommend this guide to understand the VIN series better.
According to the IRS, every trucker, owner-operator, trucking business, and fleet owner is required to file a Form 2290, reporting certain vehicle information. This vehicle information report includes the vehicle identification number.
Understanding The Context: VIN
Vehicle identification numbers are assigned to vehicles to help authorities and filers identify their vehicles from other vehicles.
This is the original “code” assigned to a vehicle for the purpose of identification.
When you report heavy truck tax information on Form 2290, a vehicle identification number is required. It’s used to help the IRS understand that you’ve filed the 2290 return and paid the federal tax due on the vehicle.
In short, the VIN represents the vehicle in all regulatory reporting aspects.
The ‘X’ Factor In VIN: What Is The Letter ‘X’ In A VIN?
Each character in the VIN represents and identifies a different aspect of the vehicle.
The model year of a vehicle is represented by the 10th digit of the VIN.
And if the 10th digit of the VIN is ‘X’, it means that the vehicle model year is 1999 and 2029, respectively.
Use the following table to understand the VIN codes by year.
Vehicle Code & Years: A Simple VIN-To-Year Representation
| Code | Years |
| A | 1980, 2010 |
| B | 1981, 2011 |
| C | 1982, 2012 |
| D | 1983, 2013 |
| E | 1984, 2014 |
| F | 1985, 2015 |
| G | 1986, 2016 |
| H | 1987, 2017 |
| J | 1988, 2018 |
| K | 1989, 2019 |
| L | 1990, 2020 |
| M | 1991, 2021 |
| N | 1992, 2022 |
| P | 1993, 2023 |
| R | 1994, 2024 |
| S | 1995, 2025 |
| T | 1996, 2026 |
| V | 1997, 2027 |
| W | 1998, 2028 |
| X | 1999, 2029 |
| Y | 2000, 2030 |
| 1 | 2001, 2031 |
| 2 | 2002, 2032 |
| 3 | 2003, 2033 |
| 4 | 2004, 2034 |
| 5 | 2005, 2035 |
| 6 | 2006, 2036 |
| 7 | 2007, 2037 |
| 8 | 2008, 2038 |
| 9 | 2009, 2039 |
Use the codes above to decode the real information hidden behind the vehicle identification number.
Follow this guide to decode all characters of a VIN in just a few moments.
Reported an incorrect VIN? Quickly correct the incorrect VIN with VIN Correction 2290
Businesses report incorrect VINs all the time. It’s a common error that can be fixed easily by just filing a VIN Correction Form 2290.
Form 2290 is designed to help taxpayers like you file the HVUT return for a variety of purposes, including amending the vehicle weight, changing the business address, submitting the final return, and of course, correcting an incorrect VIN.
Select the ‘VIN Correction’ box on Form 2290 when you plan on filing 2290 for VIN Correction.
Validate the VIN and then enter the corrected VIN on the 2290 return.
Filing a 2290 VIN Correction form is relatively easy and it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.
However, if you’ve reported incorrect VINs for your bulk trucks, then it’s possible that the correction process will take some time.
But you don’t have to worry about this when you eFile 2290 VIN Correction with EZ2290.
In fact, it’s a really simple process that can be completed in just 6 quick steps.
Follow the steps below.
- Log in or create your free EZ2290 account
- Select VIN Correction service on your EZ2290 dashboard
- Select ‘VIN Correction’ on the 2290 form
- Enter a verified vehicle identification number. If you’re correcting bulk VINs, just select and import the data from Excel and validate the VINs.
- Review the 2290 returns for accuracy
- eFile 2290 VIN Correction securely with EZ2290
And that’s it!
Alternatively, you can choose managed services to give yourself some peace of mind.
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Other Useful Articles From Ez2290 Blog
- How To Calculate The Taxable Gross Weight Of A 2290 HVUT Truck?
- Logging Vehicle: What Is Considered ‘Logging Vehicle’ For Form 2290 Reporting?
- Understanding Farm Vehicles On Form 2290
- How Do I Fill Out A 2290 Form? HVUT 2290 Form Box Wise Instructions
- Reported Incorrect VIN On Form 2290? Here’s How To Correct VIN Number Online
