Author: Marcela De Vivo

Tesla Announces The Fully Electric Semi Truck

Posted on November 22, 2017 by - Elon Musk Tela Semi Truck, Telsa Electric Semi Truck, Telsa semi truck unveiling, Tesla, Tesla electric semi truck reveal, Tesla Semi Truck

ExpressTruckTax reports on the Tesla Semi Truck Unveiling

Even during this busy holiday season major changes and new technology are coming to the trucking industry. It’s hard to keep up, even with live updates. The ELD mandate is right around the corner unless it gets a last-minute delay, LTL truckloads and less OTR hours are becoming more popular, and autonomous semis are embarking on highway tests.

What a crazy time to be in the trucking industry! One major thing that we had to report is the unveiling of Elon Musk’s new Tesla electric semi-truck, along with its specs and a few concerns drivers have about it.

The All Electric Tesla Semi Truck

After a long anticipated wait, Elon Musk introduced an electric semi into the electric vehicle world by revealing the all-electric class 8 tractor. This provides a new way to look at heavy commercial vehicles.

The Tesla semi is a day cab, that’s full battery powered. A single charge has a range of 500 miles while traveling at highway speeds at 80,000 pounds. Now you may be thinking 500 miles isn’t enough, but with regional trucking routes are generally less than 250 miles.

Also, Elon Musk suggests that you can charge your Tesla truck at the loading dock while your freight is unloaded. Also, Tesla plans to build charging stations across the nations to allow truckers a chance to pull in. However, there’s no word on how long adding charges to existing infrastructure will take. It’s also good to note that charging can be quickly done during a 30-minute rest break and shouldn’t be a time-consuming concern.

The truck was actually designed like a bullet to have optimal aerodynamics to save power and totally scraps the combustion engine. It’s powered by a battery that’s under the cab floor and is propelled by four electric motors and also has regenerative braking. The motors are positioned at each wheel end on the drive axles. It also has an electric drivetrain which is guaranteed to last a million miles.

The weight of the truck was not revealed, and some people worry about its power. Will it be able to haul freight through mountainous areas? Well, apparently while pulling 80,000 pounds it can reach 60 mph in about 20 seconds. It can also maintain 65 mph while going up a 5% grade when diesel trucks maintain about 45 mph.

ExpressTruckTax discusses Elon Musk's Tesla semi

Tesla vehicles may be notorious for being expensive, but this truck is not a ‘luxury vehicle’. It’s actually designed for cost-effective savings and is projected to run 20% cheaper per mile than diesel trucks. They will also require less maintenance.

Plus, with independent motors on each wheel, the truck can automatically adjust its torque to greatly reduce the risk of jack-knifing, which can be a trucker’s worst nightmare.

The Tesla Semi also comes with a few bells and whistles as it has two touchscreen displays that include the speedometer, heating and cooling controls, and video display for blind spots. The driver’s seat is also in the center of the cab to provide extreme visibility. The vehicle will also integrate with a fleet’s management system for routing support, scheduling, and tracking to provide live check calls.

What Do You Think About The Tesla Semi?

Do you want to hit the streets in this new electric semi truck or do you want to stick to all muscle and diesel like traditional trucking? If you are interested in getting this truck it will be available in 2019.

Please share your thoughts about the Tesla electric semi truck in the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax.com for more trucking blogs.

How To Combat The Driver Shortage

Posted on November 17, 2017 by - truck drivers, trucker health, Trucker Pay, truckers, trucking, Trucking Driver Shortage, Women In Trucking Association

ExpressTruckTax supports truckers

There is a major driver shortage facing the trucking industry and with the upcoming ELD mandate a lot of truckers, including the road veterans who love their job may quit.

If the driver shortage grows at an even more rapid rate the nation could face economic disaster because truckers are the backbone of our economy. With a current driver shortage of 48,000 drivers that’s only increasing we hope carriers are doing something to combat the issue. We even have a few ideas on how they can do so.

Fighting The Driver Shortage

1. Make Trucking More Inviting To Women

Women are an untapped working resource in America. While 47% of women make up the workforce only 6% are in trucking. That’s an incredibly low number, even though statistically women are better drivers. They have a lower rate of getting into accidents and often benefit from lower insurance rates because of it.

One thing that might turn women away from the industry is its reputation for being super manly. For example, if the true road warriors get hurt, they don’t notice. They simply rub some dirt in it and go about their days. Trucking can seem so manly at times it may be intimidating.

That’s why there are groups like Women In Trucking that show off women drivers, advocate for them, and show ladies that they have what it takes to become awesome truckers. Use their example to bring more gender diversity to the industry.

2. Should the Industry Lower The CDL Age?

Currently, if you’re under 21 you can only get your CDL for intrastate trucking. That means you can only deliver loads within your state until you turn 21. This makes things tricky for young drivers because local jobs tend to go to older, more experienced drivers.

If a younger person wants to become a driver the 3-year gap of having to wait after high school could be extremely demotivating. Plus, they might find another career path while they’re waiting.

But is 18 too young? Some experienced drivers say that there is no way an 18-year-old can handle the trucking lifestyle, while others say, if they are serious and mature enough to handle it then they should be able to.

3. Improve Health Conditions

Depending on how you handle it, trucking can be an extremely unhealthy profession. Sometimes drivers don’t make enough pay to get healthier food options, so they spend what they can on unhealthy fast food options for every meal.

Also, if they drive too many hours and need to sleep, they don’t have any time to work out. Plus, most carriers don’t provide drivers with good health benefits, so they don’t even have the tools they need to check up on their health.

ExpressTruckTax supports female truckers

Things like raising pay, reducing OTR hours, providing good health benefits, and providing health education could make a major difference. Obesity, heart conditions, and sleep apnea are only a few of the major health risks facing the industry.

Free health screenings, work out equipment in the cab, seminars about how to eat healthier on the road, and more could really improve trucker health and as a result, less people might be scared away from becoming a driver.

We Support Truckers

Our nation only functions because of the hard work that drivers do every single day and night. The growing shortage could cause a major economical disaster, but hopefully, carriers are getting prepared to combat it.

Please share your ideas about how to combat the shortage in the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax.com for more trucking blogs.

You Filed Your 2290, But What About Your Form 990?

Posted on November 15, 2017 by - E-file Form 990, Form 990, Form 990 Deadline, Form 990-EZ, Form 990-n, Form 990-PF, Nonprofit organizations, Tax-Exempt organizations

ExpressTruckTax explains the Form 990 deadline

Hey trucking nation, we have an important reminder for nonprofit and tax exempt organizations. If you have a nonprofit like Truckers Against Trafficking or a religious group, educational group, group against harming children or animals, or more then your Form 990 deadline might be today!

The deadline changes based on when your organization’s tax year ends, so we are here to go over the deadline. Also, if you need to file by tonight at midnight, don’t worry, you can complete your Form 990 in a matter of minutes with the help of our sister company, ExpressTaxFilings.

The Form 990 Deadline

First of all, Form 990 is the Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. You are required to file this form annually in order to maintain your tax exempt status and comply with the IRS.

This form is used by government organizations to make sure that nonprofit organizations aren’t abusing their tax exempt status. It’s also used by the IRS to make nonprofit organization’s financial information available to the public.

The 990 deadline is on the 15th day of the 5th month after your tax year ends, so it can really fall on any month of the year. If your organization has a traditional calendar tax year that ends in December then your Form 990 is on May 15.

If your organization has a fiscal tax year, meaning it runs for 12 consecutive months and ends in any month but December, then your deadline will vary. For, example if your tax year ended in June then your Form 990 deadline is today, on November 15.

Also, back in May if your Form 990 was due, but you used Form 8868 to get an automatic 6-month extension on your form, then your time is up. You need to file by tonight at midnight.

How To File Form 990

Filing Form 990 with ExpressTaxFilings is just as easy as filing your Form 2290 with ExpressTruckTax. Simply follow the step-by-step guide to instantly complete your form and transmit it directly to the IRS.

Head to ExpressTaxFilings.com and create your free account with your email address and password to get started. Then you will select ‘Create New Form’ and choose the type of 990 Form you would like to file for your business.

ExpressTruckTax knows filing Form 990 is easy with ExpressTaxFilings

ExpressTaxFilings offers Form 990, Form 990-n (e-Postcard), Form 990-EZ, Form 990-PF, and Form 1120-POL, so you can file the correct form for your organization.

Next, you will be guided through instructions to help you enter the basic information about your organization and the tax year you’re filing for. After that, you will have a few more questions about your organization to answer, about its exempt status type, gross receipts, and more.

Then an internal audit check will check your form for any basic errors and you can review your information summary to make sure you entered all of your info incorrectly. Click ‘Edit’ to change to change anything. If all of your information is correct then pay for your form and transmit it to the IRS. It’s that easy.

Support Is Here For You

If you need any assistance while filing your Form 990, give the ExpressTruckTax support team a call at 704.234.6005 and we will connect you to the dedicated, US-based ExpressTaxFilings support team.

Or you can call the ExpressTaxFilings team directly Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST at 704.684.4751. They also offer live chat and 24/7 email support at support@ExpressTaxFilings.com

What To Consider Before Getting A Trucking Pet

Posted on November 10, 2017 by - Pets OTR, Trucker, trucking, Trucking Cat, Trucking dog, Trucking Pet

ExpressTruckTax explains the responsibilities that come with trucking pets

The open road can be a lonely place. Somedays you might not see or talk to another person for hours. That’s what some truckers love about the job, but it can really bother others. In order to combat the loneliness of the road sometimes people turn to getting a trucking pet.

Nothing lights up the world like a fuzzy companion that’s happy to see you and excited to spend time with you, even on the road. However, with pets comes great responsibilities. Be prepared to handle all the tasks that come with getting a pet. Before you make up your mind on what to rescue we have a few things for you to consider.

Consider This Before Getting A Trucking Pet

First of all, when you get an animal consider the fact that they have to potty, so you will need to make sure that they have a place to go. That means either finding a safe place to let your dog out to go, which you will find yourself frequently doing with a puppy, or providing a place in your rig.

If you would like a cat secure their litter box. You don’t want it to go flying if you have to slam on the breaks. Also, keep in mind that you will need to scoop the litter once or twice a day or get some odor blockers. Some truckers swear by having birds as pets, which tend to go where they want unless you train them to go on command, which is actually possible.

Next, consider energy levels. Do you want a super energetic kitten that may pounce on you or an older, more relaxed cat? Can you handle an energetic dog breed like a German shepherd? Will you have time to pull over so they can run off some of their fuel?

Some people may think smaller dog breeds have less energy, but that’s not always the case. Beagles and yorkies are smaller and very energetic. Low energy dog breeds include bulldogs, pugs, basset hounds, and more.

Also, animals come with pointy objects like claws and teeth. If you get a puppy you will have to protect your rig when they are teething. Anything looks like the perfect chew toy during that phase, but you can distract them with bones and toys. Also, if you fear a car might destroy your seats you can distract them by purchasing scratchers for them to use.

You will also need to plan ahead for your pets. You will need to take enough food and water for them during your trips, also you will have to make space for their beds and toys. Don’t forget their medicine if they need any. Plus, will you be able to stop during your trip to head to the vet if you need to?

If you have to leave your truck for a little while then you will need to leave it idling for your pet’s comfort or you will have to make sure that you can take your pet with you into a public location. Having a leash and a crate to carry your pet in will help them be more welcomed in public locations.

Last but not least, think about how a new pet would make you feel. If the idea of a pup wagging his tail on a daily basis or cat purring while you head to your destination makes your heart swell then what are you waiting for? Go ahead and head to the local shelter to find your perfect trucking pet.

Happy Trails With Waggin’ Tails

If you feel lonely on the road a pet is a great way to cheer up. There’s nothing like a companion on the road. We’ve heard excellent stories of truckers and their corgis, pugs, chihuahuas, cats, lizards, and even their spouses on the road!

Just be sure that your carrier actually allows pets and that you can handle the responsibilities that come with them.

If you have a trucking pet please share a pic and tell us all about him/her in the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax.com for more trucking blogs.

The One Thing Truck Drivers Cannot Escape

Posted on November 8, 2017 by - Form 2290, heavy vehicle use tax, HVUT, HVUT Penalties, IFTA, stamped Schedule 1, Taxable Heavy Vehicle

Taxes can be confusing. First of all, there are a ton of different returns to remember from income tax returns, IFTA returns, Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes (HVUT), and more. Second of all, each of these different returns have different due dates to remember.

The HVUT Form 2290 deadline can be especially tricky because it can be due at different times of the year. However, don’t let it grind your gears because we are here to go over the deadline so you will know exactly when to file.

Your Form 2290 Deadline

Alright, so the HVUT Form 2290 tax period runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. The current HVUT tax period began on July 1, 2017 and will end on June 30, 2018. This is important to know because the HUVT deadline is based on your vehicle’s first use month.

Your first use month is the month that you first use your heavy vehicle on public highways during the tax period. Then your 2290 is due the last day of the month following the first use month.

Because most people first use their heavy vehicles in July at the beginning of the period their deadline is August 31st. However, if you don’t use your vehicle until October then your deadline will be on November 30.

See, no big deal, the deadline is easy! Just remember it’s due the last day of the month following your first used month. Now let’s see what other HVUT 2290 Form  topics we can tackle. 

Instantly get your Form 2290 Stamped Schedule 1 With ExpressTruckTax

What Is A Taxable Heavy Vehicle?

You have to file Form 2290 for all of your taxable heavy vehicles, which are highway motor vehicles with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. A highway motor vehicle is any vehicle that is self-propelled and designed to carry a load over public highways, regardless if they are also designed to perform other functions.

Examples of these vehicles include trucks, truck tractors, and buses. Usually, vans, pickup trucks, and panel trucks are not subject to the HVUT because they weight less than 55,000 pounds. 

What Are The HVUT Penalties?

If you fail to file Form 2290 by the deadline you will have penalties to face. The penalty for filing late is 4.5% of the total tax you owe and this amount will accrue on a monthly basis for up to five months.

Also, if you fail to make a payment by the deadline you will face an additional penalty of .5% of the total amount due. Plus, you will face an additional interest charge of .54% on a monthly basis as well. 

How Do I File HVUT Form 2290?

Well, that’s super easy. Head to ExpressTruckTax.com to create your free account then follow the step-by-step e-filing guide to complete your form in a matter of minutes. The instructions tell you what information is needed and where so you can transmit your form directly to the IRS in no time!

As a result of filing with ExpressTruckTax, you will receive your stamped Schedule 1 via email within 15 minutes of transmitting your Form 2290 to the IRS! You can also have your stamped Schedule 1 faxed or mailed wherever you need it to go and simply log in to your account at any time to access it.

Contact Us

If you need any HVUT assistance please don’t hesitate to contact the amazing, US-based ExpressTruckTax support team. We’re available Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST at 704.234.6005. We also offer live chat and 24/7 email support at support@ExpressTruckTax.com.

Keep Your Holiday Cargo Safe with These Tips

Posted on November 3, 2017 by - Cargo, Cargo theft, driver safety, preventing cargo theft, Truck theft, Trucker Safety, trucker safety education

Happy November! We are officially cruising through the Holiday season and while we may be
excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas it’s important for truckers to realize that black Friday and a major retail boom is also on its way.

That means you may be hauling cargo that’s more enticing to thieves, so be sure to take measures to protect yourself from theft. But there’s no need to feel paranoid, it’s easy to increase your security by taking a few precautions.

How To Protect Your Cargo

1. Always Be Aware

No matter what you’re hauling, someone might want to take it. From a shipment of laptops to Q-Tips, if a thief thinks they can take it and sell it, then they will. Heck, sometimes they may just even want your truck.

Keep your wits about you and study your surroundings at all times, no matter what day it is or what time it is. Even though the highest rates of cargo theft happen on weekend nights, they can occur at any time, even in broad daylight.

If someone seems sketchy to you take note of what they look like and what they are wearing so you can accurately describe them to the police should you need to.

Remember that someone could be listening to you, so keep what you’re hauling to yourself. Never post it on social media for the world to see.

2. Put Yourself In Safe Surroundings

When you park your truck pick a well-populated area, and at night make sure you’re under lights. If you can, always be sure to park in range of security cameras. You can also back up against a wall or surface to block your trailer doors when you stop. Just be sure to back up extremely carefully to prevent damage.

If you aren’t sure if your terminal will have proper lighting, locked fencing, or security after hours you can call ahead and ask. If their security isn’t up to your standards then make arrangements to park in a safer location.

3. Plan Ahead

Think about your moves before you make them. Never just leave your truck unattended and idling, because that gives people more than enough time to jump in it and speed off. Keep your truck locked at all times, no matter if you’re inside or outside of it.

 

ExpressTruckTax supports trucker saferty education

Also, make sure the padlocks on your trailer doors are secure and look into purchasing vehicle locks like king pin locks, air brake valve locks, glad hand locks, or seals.

Try to minimize the time that your trailer will be sitting full of cargo. Try to make your delivery by the weekend. Make sure that your cargo will never sit in your lot for 24 hours because that gives a lot of thieves time to make a plan of action.

Check your route in advance to make sure it isn’t taking you through a bad part of town. Google maps is a good tool to use and look at

4. Hire The Right Team And Educate Them

Make sure you run background checks on your drivers, don’t just hire anyone. Then educate them on how to protect themselves and cargo to create a safety. For example, explain how it’s best to fill up before you pick up cargo to prevent thieves from following them for hours.

Be sure to track your drivers by placing GPS units on their rig or trailers. This way you will be aware of their location at all times and will be able to track the location of the vehicles if they are stolen.

Stay Safe

Rates of cargo theft increase during the holiday season but the risk actually occurs all year. People like to take whatever they can get their hands on, even if it seems boring and invaluable to you. You can keep your cargo safe by keeping your wits about you, making secure decisions in advance, and by staying in safe locations.

If you have any security tips please add them to the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax for more trucking blogs.

Today Is The 3rd Quarter IFTA Deadline

Posted on October 31, 2017 by - 3rd qaurter IFTA deadline, Fuel Tax, IFTA, ifta deadline, ifta report, IFTA return, IFTA totals, Quarterly IFTA Report

ExpressTruckTax promotes IFTA reporting with ExpressIFTA

Hey trucking nation, we are here with an important reminder! Your 3rd quarter IFTA return is due today, October 31st, by midnight. If you fail to file by the deadline then you will have some expensive IFTA penalties to deal with.

However, you don’t need to scramble around looking for a way to generate your IFTA report or spend hours working on your calculations, because ExpressIFTA is here to help. ExpressIFTA is a proud sister product of ExpressTruckTax and offers the market-leading IFTA reporting solution online to take the hassle out of generating your quarterly report. Check out how easy it is!

IFTA Reporting With ExpressIFTA

All you have to do is log in to ExpressIFTA with your ExpressTruckTax account for free. If you don’t have an ExpressTruckTax account then you can create your free ExpressIFTA account with your email address and personal password.

Next you will enter your business information, including the name, address, and EIN (Employer Identification Number). You will also enter your base jurisdiction, which is the state where your vehicle is registered and your vehicle information, including the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).

After that you will enter your fuel and mileage records at your own pace for the current quarter. You can enter your totals per trip to keep extremely detailed information or enter your information per trip with the quick entry feature.

Or you can even upload all your information at once with an Excel or CSV file by using the bulk upload feature. You can even upload all of your distance records directly from your GPS.

Best of all, ExpressIFTA allows you to report your totals according to your personal preferences. For example, you can enter your distance information by miles traveled or odometer readings.

 

ExpressIFTA and ExpressTruckTax make truck taxes easy

Also, you don’t have to worry about handling any complicated calculations yourself, because ExpressIFTA automatically does all of it for you. All of your IFTA totals will be calculated with 100% accuracy based on the information you enter. This way you will always know how much fuel tax you owe, and you’ll never over or underpay the amount.

When you’re done entering all of your information for the quarter ExpressIFTA an internal audit check will be performed to catch any basic errors. For example, if you stated that you traveled between two nonadjacent states.

Then you can pay and generate your quarterly IFTA report. This report is easy to read and will clearly display all of your IFTA calculations. You can print it, email it, and use it to instantly complete your return.

Also, because ExpressIFTA knows that you need to store your IFTA information for four years for auditing purposes, all of your information will be stored in your account per quarter. It can be accessed at any time.

Contact A Truck Tax Expert

If you need any assistance the outstanding, US-based ExpressTruckTax support team is here to help. Give us a call Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST at 704.234.6005. You can also reach us via live chat and take advantage of our 24/7 email support at support@ExpressTruckTax.com.

The Halloween Dangers On Our Roads

Posted on October 27, 2017 by - Driver, Driving, drunk driver, Halloween driving, speeding, tailgating, Trucker, truckers

ExpressTruckTax warns truckers bout Halloween dangerous driving

Truckers, it’s Halloween weekend! You probably won’t see any ghosts unless you take some haunted routes. For example, you could check out South Carolina’s haunted crybaby bridge, which has personally scared the snot out of me a few times.

However, you could still run into some tricksters and ghouls causing trouble on the roads. Just like around any holiday, traffic will increase and the roads will become more dangerous. We want you to stay safe this Halloween, so we have a list of what to watch out for during your routes.

Halloween Danger On Our Roads

1. Drunk Drivers

Halloween has all of the vampires and goblins crawling out to dress up and drink for a good time. From house parties to bar crawls people will venture out all over and may not use their best judgment.

If you see a drunk driver on the road pull over and call 911. Report the car model and license plate number so the cops know what to look out for. If you stay on the road with them be sure to maintain a safe distance.

Signs of drunk driving include swerving, tailgating, sudden braking, drifting, driving without headlights on in the dark, driving in the wrong lane, and more.

2. Increased Law Enforcement

Extra drivers will be on the road and extra law enforcement officers will be out to catch speeders, drunk drivers, and more. We don’t know what your worst fear is, it could be spiders, maybe it’s snakes, but explaining your speeding ticket to your wife might be a terrifying Halloween experience all on it’s own!

In order to avoid getting pulled over be on your best driving behavior. Don’t speed, tailgate, or sporadically change lanes. Also, if you go through a checkpoint things will go much quicker and more smoothly if you remain calm and polite.

3. Oh Deer, So Many Deer!

ExpressTruckTax explains how truckers can avoid hitting deer


We’re in rut season for deer, meaning more deer are out looking more mates. During this active time, they are hopping all over the place, including into the road. If you hit a deer or swerve around them and hit something else your truck could suffer thousands of dollars in damage. Also, you could become injured or lose your life.

Watch out for deer on the side of the road by keeping a lookout for shining eyes and slow down. If a deer is in the road, frozen in fear, flash your lights and honk your horn to snap it out of its trance. If a collision is unavoidable, don’t swerve or slam the breaks. Plow through it and assess the damage when you can come to a safe stop.

4. Tricksters

Many kids like to play pranks on Halloween. Including throwing rocks, pumpkins, and eggs at windshields. If you see any suspicious activity on overpasses report it immediately, because this activity is extremely dangerous.

Recently teens in Michigan were throwing rocks from an overpass and their prank turned deadly. A father of four was killed in traffic as a result. The teens were caught and will be tried for murder. Hopefully, other teens will learn from this example.

If your windshield is struck by an object remain calm. Don’t swerve or slam on the breaks, just gradually slow down and turn on your caution lights. Also, if you need to clean your windshield come to a safe stop in a safe area first.

Happy Halloween

We hope you enjoy this spooky holiday. We hope you get the chance to trick or treat with your kids, watch a scary movie, and eat your favorite Halloween treat. If you’re going to be out on the roads be sure to stay safe and drive alert with caution.

If you have any safety tips to add please share them in the comment section below. Also, visit ExpressTruckTax for more trucking blogs.

Do You Have An IFTA Waiver?

Posted on October 25, 2017 by - 3rd quarter IFTA deadline, Fuel Tax, IFTA, IFTA liscense, IFTA Miles, ifta report, IFTA return, IRP

ExpressTruckTax goes over IFTA pnelaties

Time really flies, doesn’t it? It seems like just yesterday it was a hot summer day and your 2nd quarter IFTA return was due. Well, now it’s a cold autumn day and the 3rd quarter IFTA deadline is almost here. You have less than a week to file by the October 31st deadline.

Because a lot has happened this IFTA quarter with hurricane Harvey and Irma you may have a few IFTA questions regarding the waivers. That’s why we’re here to help by going over them and answering other common IFTA questions that you may have, so you can quickly and easily file. 

Your IFTA Questions Answered

1. Will A Waiver Affect My Return?

Hurricane disaster relief efforts for hurricane Harvey and Irma depended on truckers to bring in crucial supplies, as a result regulations like hours of service were lifted and IFTA waivers were issued in some states. To qualify for these lifted regulations you needed to be transporting hurricane disaster supplies to affected areas.

States that issued IFTA waivers include Iowa, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Colorado, West Virginia, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Florida, and more.

Each waiver was different depending on the state, but generally, they suspended IFTA requirements for 30 days. Meaning you didn’t need your IFTA license or decals to travel through those states during the time of the waiver.

Delaware actually issued a temporary IFTA and IRP waiver from September 13th for the duration of the emergency or until October 6th, depending on which was less. Illinois’s waiver was from July 14 to August 14th.

These waivers do not have an impact on the IFTA deadline. Your return is still due on October 31. However, the best way to find out information about waivers and the deadline for your base jurisdiction is to contact a local DMV office.

2. What Are The Late Filing penalties?

It’s best to go ahead and file to avoid facing the steep late filing penalties. For example, if your return is late you will face a penalty of $50 or 10% of the amount you owe, depending on which amount is greater.

Also, if you fail to pay the amount you owe by the deadline you will be charged .4167% of the total tax you owe. This amount will accrue on a monthly basis until you pay the total amount you owe.

 

Learn what's required to complete your IFTA return with ExpressTruckTax

Also, your base jurisdiction reserves the right to suspend or revoke your IFTA license if you file late. However, don’t worry, this usually isn’t the case for first-time offenders.

3. What Do I Need To Complete My IFTA Return?

In order to complete your return, you need your:

  1. Total miles, taxable and nontaxable, traveled per jurisdiction, including IFTA and non-IFTA miles, and trip permit miles. 
  2. Total gallons of fuel consumed per jurisdiction included taxable and nontaxable, and IFTA and non-IFTA. 
  3. Tax-paid gallons of fuel purchased per Jurisdiction. 
  4. And the current tax rate per jurisdiction. 

4. How Do I Prepare To File?
Use your ExpressTruckTax account information to log into ExpressIFTA where you can easily report everything you need for your IFTA return online. Enter your mileage and fuel records at your own pace and ExpressIFTA will do the complicated work for you.

For example, ExpressIFTA will accurately calculate the amount of fuel tax you owe for you. Plus, all of your information will be generated into an IFTA report that can be printed, emailed, and used to instantly complete your return.

ExpressIFTA is brought to you by the same team that created ExpressTruckTax and we are here to help. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact our US-based, dedicated team of truck tax experts.

Give us a call at 704.234.6005 Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM EST. You can also reach us via live chat or through our 24/7 email support at support@ExpressTruckTax.com.

Finding and Accepting the Right Trucking Job

Posted on October 20, 2017 by - CDL, heavy loads, otr trucking, Rate Per Mile, regional trucking, specialized loads, Trucker, trucking, trucking industry, Trucking Job

So, you have your CDL and now you need a trucking job. It’s time to look online, in the newspaper, and everywhere else! Load boards post new loads every day and companies are desperate for more drivers, providing you with a lot of job options, but make sure you find the right job.
It can be easy to jump at the first opportunity that offers money, but you may be neglecting a better opportunity. You may also accept a load for a company that doesn’t have your best interests in mind. Learn what questions to ask and what to look for when considering your trucking job options.

What To Look For In Trucking Jobs

Solid Pay & Benefits

You need to make sure that you make a profit per load, or that the rate per mile is high enough to cover your bills and provide you with the ability to build some savings. Sometimes when business is slow you may accept loads to break even, but on a salary, you will want to profit. Also, after gaining some reputable experience you may be offered hourly pay.

Before signing on with a company be sure to research the pay scale and ask about scheduled pay increases, accessorial pay, layover pay, and bonuses. It’s perfectly fine to ask about future opportunities before investing your time with a new company.

While you’re at it see what type of benefits the company has to offer. Will they offer you insurance coverage? Do they have a retirement plan? Will you be offered paid time off for vacations or holiday pay? These are all important things to consider for your personal needs and the needs of your family.

Look Past Face Value

Most trucking companies will have a professional looking website with images of happy truckers, but don’t let that sway your opinion. Read the text to learn about the company’s goals and how they work to achieve them.

Also, Google reviews of the company to see what the general public and previous workers think of them. This will give you a good idea about their reputation.

ExpressTruckTax shares how to find the right trucking job

Look at how the company values safety. Trucking is a dangerous job, so if they have safety regulations put in place and offer safety training, that’s a good sign that they actually care about their drivers.

Do The Policies Match Your Lifestyle?

Are the lanes in the routes that you like to travel? Will your loads be limited to a flatbed, tankers, and dry vans or will you get to gain experience with more specialized loads? Can you get your foot in the door by hauling dry vans and eventually work your way up to heavy loads?

Do you have a family that you would like to see as much as you can? Then look at the time off the company has to offer and try to find a terminal nearby. Some companies do offer drivers the ability to go home for weekends or every two weeks. You could also consider regional trucking instead of OTR.

Do you have pet you can’t imagine leaving behind? Then look at the company’s pet policy to see if they allow pets on trips. Some places may only allow smaller animals and others may only allow dogs. The rules and regulations for cats and dogs in the rig also vary between different carriers.

The Right Trucking Job Is Waiting For You

When looking for a trucking job it’s not important to find the perfect company or the perfect load. Instead, it’s important to find the right job for you that fits your needs and lifestyle. You may have to get out of your comfort zone a little in the beginning but as your reputation builds you will have access to bigger and better opportunities.

Please share your tips about finding the right trucking job in the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax.com for more trucking blogs.