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Your Go-To Guide for RFS Reporting Deadlines

The EPA’s RFS program has one clear goal: increase the use of renewable fuels for transportation in the United States. But meeting this goal involves more than just blending and generating renewable fuel. Obligated parties are any entity that imports or refines gasoline or diesel fuel, this includes oil refiners, importers, and blenders. Obligated parties need to keep a close eye on RFS reporting deadlines to demonstrate they’re meeting their Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs). This article breaks down those important deadlines and the various reports required, helping you stay on top of your RFS obligations and avoid potential penalties.

Quarterly Reports

While the spotlight often falls on annual reporting, quarterly submissions are also consequential for compliance. These reports, submitted via EPA’s OTAQDCFUEL platform under the Central Data Exchange, provide a snapshot of your RIN activity. RINSTAR empowers its clients to seamlessly track and manage all RIN transactions via our RIN management Member Dashboard, with the convenience of auto-populating reports with the click of a button. These reports are curated at no additional cost for RINSTAR clients and can be reviewed by our team of compliance analysts before submission. 

  • RFS 0107 – Quarterly Reports: These reports track the generation, transfer, and retirement of RINs throughout the quarter. They offer a real-time view of your RIN inventory and compliance progress. This is a report that has seen several iterations over the past handful of years, so it is important to stay on top of which report is relevant for the specific reporting period in question. 
    • Deadlines:
      • Quarter 1 (Jan 1 – Mar 31): June 1st of the same year
      • Quarter 2 (Apr 1 – June 30): September 1st of the same year
      • Quarter 3 (July 1 – Sept 30): December 1st of the same year
      • Quarter 4 (Oct 1 – Dec 31): March 31st of the following year
    • Copy of Record – A document that serves as official confirmation that the submitted data has been reviewed and verified by an obligated party’s Responsible Corporate Officer (RCO) for the reporting quarter. It’s important to keep your RCO registration up to date. RINSTAR can provide guidance on how to register or how to update an existing RCO registration.

Annual Reports

  • RFS 0304 – Annual Compliance Report: This report details the types and volumes of renewable fuel used to meet your RVOs for the entire compliance year. It includes a breakdown of RINs generated, retired, separated, and carried over.
  • Attest Engagement Report: An independent Certified Public Accountant (CPA) conducts an attest engagement to verify the accuracy of the data in your annual compliance report. RINSTAR has worked with several agencies that offer assistance with this complex report, and would be happy to put you in contact with our preferred agency. 
  • RFS 2700 – Cellulosic Biofuel Producer Questionnaire: This report is specifically for cellulosic biofuel producers. It collects data on production volumes, feedstocks used, and other relevant information.
  • RFS0901 – Production Outlook Report: RIN generators submit this annual report to provide their projected renewable fuel production and import volumes for the upcoming year. 

Deadlines for Annual Reports

Annual report deadlines can sometimes shift due to factors like new RFS standards or previous year timelines. RINSTAR sends timely reminders so you never miss your annual report deadlines. Here’s a general guideline to keep in mind:

  • Annual Compliance Report (RFS 0304): Typically March 31st of the year following the compliance year.
  • Attest Engagement Report: Generally June 1st of the year following the compliance year, ensuring at least a 60-day gap after the annual compliance report deadline.

Gasoline, FFARs, and Survey Programs

In addition to RFS-specific reports, obligated parties may also need to comply with reporting requirements related to gasoline, Fuel Facility Annual Reports (FFARs), and various survey programs. These reports typically cover fuel quality, emissions, and other relevant parameters. The annual reporting deadline for these programs is usually March 31st of the following year. RINSTAR Renewable Fuel Registry will help you determine which reports you need to submit based on your registration. Your RINSTAR dashboard is customized with the most current requirements for your business activities. 

Staying Informed

RFS regulations and reporting deadlines can be subject to change. To stay informed, check out these sites:

Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start? Don’t worry—RINSTAR has you covered! We provide compliance reporting and consultation services designed to make your process seamless and stress-free.

With RINSTAR, tracking every type of RIN transaction and managing your RIN inventory is effortless. Our system automatically populates your reports with the push of a button, saving you time and reducing errors. Plus, we identify your specific obligations, ensuring you only submit the reports that apply to you.

Let us simplify reporting compliance for you—reach out today to connect with our team and to request a demo!

Please note that this article is only accurate up to the date it was published. Contact RINSTAR to find out the most up-to-date information pertaining to your reporting requirements.