Off-road diesel may qualify for federal fuel tax credits. We connect Texas commercial operators with a licensed CPA who handles the recovery work.
The credit most operators leave on the table.
Federal law allows operators to recover the federal excise tax on diesel fuel used for off-road purposes. That includes construction equipment, agricultural machinery, irrigation pumps, generators, refrigeration units, and any equipment that doesn't drive on public roads.
Because the IRS allows retroactive claims for up to three prior tax years, an operator running significant off-road volume may have meaningful unclaimed credit going back across that window. The CPA determines the actual recoverable amount after reviewing your records.
Our licensed Texas CPA partner handles the entire engagement — intake, analysis, substantiation, and filing of the amended return. Atlas Harbor introduces qualifying operators to the CPA and receives a disclosed referral fee. The CPA's fees are arranged directly between you and the CPA.
You may be eligible if you operate any of these.
Construction equipment (excavators, dozers, loaders, lifts, generators)
Agricultural equipment (tractors, harvesters, irrigation pumps)
Off-road industrial equipment (forklifts, yard trucks, compactors)
Backup generators (commercial, healthcare, data center)
Pipeline and oilfield service equipment
Refrigeration trailer units and reefer power
Cold storage and processing facility generators
Stationary engines for pumps, compressors, mixers
If you burn more than 5,000 gallons a year on equipment that doesn't drive on public roads, it's worth a ten-minute call.
The more off-road fuel you run, the more there may be to recover.
Federal credits on qualifying off-road diesel can generally be claimed up to three years back — but that window closes each year. A licensed CPA determines what your gallons are actually worth.
Four steps. No surprise costs.
Quick Eligibility Conversation (10 minutes)
We ask about your volume, equipment, and the last three years of operations. If it looks like a meaningful recovery is possible, we introduce you to our CPA partner. If it doesn’t, we tell you on the call.
Introduction to the CPA
We make a written introduction to our licensed Texas CPA partner. The introduction discloses Atlas Harbor’s referral relationship in compliance with Texas State Board of Public Accountancy Rule 501.71. You are under no obligation to engage the CPA.
CPA Engagement and Filing
If you choose to move forward, you sign a separate engagement letter directly with the CPA. The CPA performs the intake, analyzes your fuel records, substantiates the off-road usage, prepares the amended return (Form 1040-X or 1120-X with Form 4136), and files it with the IRS. Atlas Harbor is not a party to this engagement.
You Get Paid
The IRS typically issues amended-return refunds in 16 to 20 weeks. The check goes directly to you. The CPA bills you directly under your engagement letter with them.
How fees work.
Two separate relationships. Disclosed up front.
The CPA's fee is set by the CPA and billed directly to you. Form 4136 amended-return engagements for off-road operators typically run $1,500 to $5,000 per return year, depending on volume and recordkeeping complexity. You will receive a written engagement letter from the CPA before any work begins.
Atlas Harbor receives a referral fee from the CPA, not from you. The amount of that fee is disclosed in writing in the CPA's engagement letter you sign, in compliance with Texas State Board of Public Accountancy Rule 501.71. You pay the CPA. The CPA pays us.
Atlas Harbor does not charge you a contingency fee, an engagement fee, an analysis fee, or any other fee for the tax recovery introduction.
What this actually looks like.
Illustrative only. The CPA gives you the real number after intake.
A South Texas construction company burning 40,000 gallons of off-road diesel per year, looking at three retroactive tax years, may have meaningful recoverable federal credit across those years — the CPA gives you the real number after intake. Actual recovery depends on documented usage, prior filings, and IRS review.
Honest about scope.
Atlas Harbor is not a CPA firm.
Common questions.
- Does Atlas Harbor charge me anything?
- No. Atlas Harbor does not charge you any fee for the tax recovery introduction. The CPA bills you for the tax engagement; the CPA pays Atlas Harbor a disclosed referral fee out of that engagement fee.
- How long does it take to get paid?
- IRS processing of amended returns containing Form 4136 typically runs 16 to 24 weeks. The check is mailed directly to you. Atlas Harbor never handles refund proceeds.
- What if I don’t have good records?
- The CPA will tell you on intake what records they need and whether reconstruction is feasible. If usable records cannot be assembled, the CPA will decline the engagement. There is no cost to you for that determination beyond what is disclosed in the CPA’s engagement letter.
- Are there any years I can’t claim?
- Federal law limits amended-return claims to the three most recent tax years from the date of the original filing. Years beyond that window are closed. The CPA will identify which years are open during intake.
- Will this trigger an IRS audit?
- Amended returns claiming Form 4136 credits are routinely processed without examination when supported by adequate substantiation. The CPA’s role includes preparing the documentation that supports the claim. Audit risk is a question the CPA, not Atlas Harbor, is qualified to address with you.
Find out if you may be eligible for a federal fuel credit recovery.
We take ten minutes on the phone to confirm you likely qualify for federal off-road fuel tax credits. If you do, we introduce you to our licensed Texas CPA partner — in writing, with our referral relationship disclosed up front. The CPA handles the engagement from there.