Author: Marcela De Vivo

Overweight Loads Involve Risky Business

Posted on June 12, 2017 by - Driving At Your Own Risk, Oversize Load, Overweight Load, Risky Trucking, Rookie Driver, Tipping Scales, Trucker, veteran truckers

Trucking comes with a variety of loads. Sometimes you don’t even have a full load, and other times whether you’re aware of it or not, you could receive an overweight load, which comes with its own set of issues. The authorities are doing all they can to stop illegal loads from happening, so carry them at your own risk.

The Issues With Overweight Loads

Not all trucks are the same. They have different shapes and sizes, which allow some trucks to carry more weight than others depending on the amount of axles they have and the space between them. However, each truck is only legally certified to carry a certain amount of weight, and when that amount is passed then problems arise.

 

First of all, carrying extra weight is dangerous for yourself and other drivers around you. More weight makes it harder to stop in time. Plus, it makes it a lot easier to tip over. Any accidents that happen while you’re hauling extra weight will fall back on you. Even if you try to drive safe and keep extra distance between yourself and other cars, you never know what will happen.

Roads, bridges, ramps, and other infrastructure can only hold a certain amount of weight. Exceeding the limit could cause major damage. Heck, we already pay the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax for the damage that our legal loads cause to public highways! More weight does even more destruction!

Sometimes you could pick up a load from a shipper without a scale. That’s dangerous because you won’t know if you’re overweight til you hit the scale, and could get pulled over on the way to one. Any fine you get is your responsibility, and trust us, you don’t want an expensive overweight ticket. As a result of ignoring your ticket, the state could revoke your license.

Sure, you could try to avoid the scales, but the DOT has caught onto that little trick. That’s why they’ve set up traps to catch drivers who seem to be evading them.

If your carrier tells you that they’ll handle any possible fines, then you’ll still be driving at your own risk because truckers are responsible for what they haul. Plus, they won’t be able to help you if an accident occurs. If your carrier persuades you to do illegal things then it’s probably time to find a new one.

 

You can actually get permits for carrying overweight loads but they vary from state to state, and you’ll need one for each state you’ll be traveling through. To make matters worse each permit has its own set of rules and regulations. For example, you may not be allowed to travel with your overweight load on Sundays or after 12 PM. Contact a DMV in each state to learn about their regulations.

You’ll also have to amend your route to avoid any areas that can’t handle your structural load. While the government actually helps out by providing routes for overweight loads to protect the roads, it’s still time-consuming to do those extra steps for planning. Also, don’t forget to hire a lead car if your oversized load requires one!

Avoid Overweight Loads

Loads happen, we all know that. We also know that sometimes you may not know what you’re gonna get. In the event of an overweight load, drive it at your own risk. You’ll be held accountable for anything that happens during your trip.

For more trucking blogs visit ExpressTruckTax.com and please share your tips about overweight loads in the comment section below.

Why Haven’t You Filed Your 2290?

Posted on June 7, 2017 by - 2290, 2290 Late Filing Penalties, 2290 Mobile App, 2290 Online HVUT App, 2290 Schedule 1, e-file 2290, E-file HVUT, phone file 2290, pre-file 2290, stamped Schedule 1

Hit the Jake Brake! You haven’t filed your 2290 yet?! What a rookie move. Especially when you have a few different ways to go ahead and pre-file today offered by ExpressTruckTax and ExpressTruckTax Plus. Don’t wait until the last minute and find yourself in a pickle. Instead, go ahead and pre-file to knock out your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 today.

Reasons to Pre-File 2290

Just like with all of your other taxes if you don’t pay for or file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax Form 2290 by the deadline you will face fees and penalties imposed by the IRS. If you don’t file because you can’t pay the amount you owe, consider getting a credit card or small loan to cover it, because the longer you wait, the more you’ll owe.

For example, the initial penalty for filing late is 4.5% of the tax due, and this accrues on a monthly basis for up to five months. Also, if you don’t pay your tax due you’ll face an additional penalty of .05% of the total amount you owe with an interest charge of .54% per month. That can make the amount you owe quickly skyrocket.

Some authorities will revoke your license if they find out you failed to file before the deadline. However, most states are a little lenient towards first-time offenders.

You Want Time to Fix Mistakes and Prepare

Some people don’t realize that they need an EIN or Employer Identification Number to file. You can get one by applying online with the IRS, but it will take about 15 days to become active in the system. During that 15 days, your form could get rejected! If you wait too close to the deadline before getting your EIN then you’ll miss it!

Plus, what happens if your form gets rejected for a simple mistake like an incorrect VIN? By pre-filing, you’ll know sooner if you’ve made a mistake that you need to correct on your form. With an e-file provider like ExpressTruckTax, you’ll be notified as to why your form was rejected so you can quickly fix any errors and retransmit your form. They even make it easy to amend your form and offer free VIN corrections.

You Want Your Stamped Schedule 1 Sooner

The longer you wait to file, the busier the IRS gets. When the IRS gets backed up they’ll take longer to stamp your Schedule 1 and send it back to you. Plus, if you file the old conventional paper way, you’ll have to wait for it to come in the mail.

Speed things up by pre-filing. Your Form 2290 will be transmitted directly to the IRS when they begin accepting returns. Then the IRS will stamp your Schedule 1 and you’ll instantly receive a copy via email. You can also choose to receive a copy via text or fax to get your carrier and the DMV off your back.

How to Pre-File?

Pre-Filing is incredibly simple. Just go to ExpressTruckTax.com and follow their step-by-step guide to file in a matter of minutes. The guide tells you exactly what information to enter and where. ExpressTruckTax also calculates the amount of Heavy Vehicle Use Tax you owe for you.

You could also call ExpressTruckTax Plus at 803.386.0320 to pre-file for you, over the phone. That’s right, we said pre-file for you. This is the fewer hands-on approach. It doesn’t matter which pre-filing option you choose, your information will still be transmitted to the IRS when they begin accepting returns, and you’ll get a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 almost immediately.

We’re Here to Help

If you have any questions regarding the pre-filing process please don’t hesitate to contact the dedicated ExpressTruckTax support team Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 PM EST at 704.234.6005. We’re also available via live chat and offer 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com.

Roadcheck 2017 Is Almost Here

Posted on June 2, 2017 by - Cargo Securment, CVSA Roadcheck, Driver Inspection, Roadcheck, Roadcheck 2017, Rookie Driver, truck driver, Truck Inspection, Trucker, Veteran Driver

We know you always do a great job safely securing your cargo and driving safely to protect the lives of others around you on the road, but it’s time to step up your game. If you’re going to be on the road between June 6th – June 8th prepare for the 2017 Roadcheck

Roadcheck 2017

This year the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance or CVSA is hosting their 30th annual international roadcheck inspection. These inspections started back in 1988 in order to help inform the public about motor vehicle safety. 

It’s a big deal because this international inspection inspects an average of 17 buses and trucks per minute. That’s a ton of heavy vehicles.

The inspection will be going on for 72 hours beginning on June 6th and ending on June 8th, so if you’ll be on the road during these times be sure to be on top of your game in order to pass. If you always take your job seriously and always make sure your truck is up to code, then you’ll have nothing to worry about.

This year the inspection will focus on cargo securement because that’s pretty important. I mean just imagine all of the things that could go wrong with loose cargo. Tarps could fly off and cover the windshields of cars, loose items could clutter the highway creating a mess for vehicles to swerve around, and more. To put it simply, loose cargo equals chaos.

Now when we say to be on top of your game we mean it, because the people conducting the inspections have undergone a 3-day training course to learn what to look out for. They’re trained to spot things that are wrong. Also, brace yourself because the entire inspection includes 37 steps to check the driver and the vehicle.

The inspection will check drivers for:

Their license
Hours of operation
Motor carrier registration
Shipping documentation
Seat belt usage
Influence of drugs and or alcohol

The vehicle inspection will check:

The brake systems
Cargo securement
Coupling devices
The driveline/driveshaft
Exhaust systems
Frames
Fuel Systems
Lighting devices
Steering Mechanisms
Suspensions
Tires
Trailer bodies
Wheels including rims and bulbs
Windshield wipers
And emergency exits for buses

A good thing to do would be to replace your straps and tie downs. If the appear worn you could get a violation. Also, having all of your information together ahead of the inspection will help save time because you won’t have to dig through your cab for it.

Your attitude with an inspector makes a huge difference. A small violation could result in a warning letter to you or your carrier or a citation for you or your carrier. Be polite and professional.

We Know You’ll Pass

When it’s time for your inspection and you have a positive attitude, your papers together, and you never skip your own vehicle inspections then you’ll have nothing to worry about. We know stopping for the inspection might be a pain in the rear, but it will go by quickly so you can get back on the road!

For more trucking blogs visit ExpressTruckTax.com and please share your roadcheck tips in the comment section below.

The 2290 Pre-Filing Season Is Now Open!

Posted on May 31, 2017 by - 2290, 2290 Mobile App, 2290 online, 2290 Schedule 1, 2290 stamped Schedule 1, e-file 2290, E-file HVUT, HVUT, phone file 2290, pre-file 2290, pre-file form 2290

Ugh, you keep hearing about your stamped Schedule 1 and your 2290, but the filing season doesn’t open until July 1st. What a pain to have to wait to file. But wait, you don’t have to wait weeks to file your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax  Form 2290 because you can pre-file with ExpressTruckTax beginning on June 1st, which is today!

Pre-Filing With Express Truck Tax

Why wait until July 1st to file when you can pre-file your Form 2290 today? Especially when the pre-filing process is incredibly easy. All you have to do is create an account and follow the step-by-step guide to complete the e-filing process almost instantly and your form will be transmitted directly to the IRS as soon as the filing season opens.

You’ll begin by entering the basic information for your business like the name, address, and EIN (Employer Identification Number).

Also, you will need information about your heavy vehicles to complete your Form 2290, such as their VIN or Vehicle Identification Number and taxable gross weight. Remember that suspended vehicles must be included.

A suspended vehicle is one that is exempt from HVUT taxes for the current tax season. Vehicles with less than 5,000 miles are exempt, along with agricultural vehicles with less than 7,500 miles.

When you’ve finished entering your information we will automatically calculate the amount of HVUT you owe and you can pay the IRS with direct debit or electronic funds withdrawal, EFTPS, check or money order.

Then you’ll be presented with a summary of your information to make sure you’ve entered everything correctly and we will perform an audit check to catch any basic errors. Once any mistakes have been corrected your form will be complete. It will be transmitted to the IRS on July 1st unless you specify that you would like for it to be sent at a later date.

As soon as the IRS stamps your Schedule 1 you’ll receive a copy via email, but you can also choose to receive a copy via text or fax.

The process is so easy, that you don’t even need a computer to file. Download the free ExpressTruckTax app to pre-file your 2290 right from your smartphone or tablet. This makes it incredibly easy to file at any time, from any location.

Pre-File Over The Phone With ExpressTruckTax Plus

If you want to just be able to take out your phone and dial a number to have a US-based representative file your Form 2290 for you then Call ExpressTruckTax Plus at 803.386.0320. As a result of spending a few minutes on the phone, your 2290 will be transmitted to the IRS on July 1st. You’ll also receive a copy of your Schedule 1 via email as soon as the IRS stamps it.

Need Any Assistance?

We’re aware that tax time can be confusing, that’s why we’re here to help. If you have any questions or concerns give us a call at 704.234.6005 Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST. We’re also available via live chat and offer 24/7 email support at support@expressextension.com/

The Trucker’s Guide To Driving In Teams

Posted on May 26, 2017 by - covering more miles, driver safety, driving teams, partner driving, rookie truckers, sleeping on the road, trucker sleep, truckers, trucking teams, veteran truckers

You often think of trucking as a solo activity, just a man and his truck. However, these days there are a lot of female drivers and even team drivers. Teamwork makes the dreamwork, but driving with a partner is surprisingly different from going down the road alone. We decided to look into team driving ourselves to get the full scoop.

What To Consider For Team Driving 

The concept is pretty simple. You have two people in a truck instead of just one, and you drive in shifts while the other person sleeps. This works wells because both people can drive up to 11 hours per day, meaning the truck covers more miles in less time. As long as you can sleep while another person drives then this system should work out pretty well.

More miles comes with more money, so that’s a big incentive but that money is also split between both drivers. Some married couples have rigged the system by driving together to take home all of the pay!

The most important thing when it comes to driving in a team is pulling your weight. Split the driving hours evenly, help with the loading and unloading unless you need sleep. Do your part to keep the rig clean and don’t eat all your partner’s snacks without providing food for them as well.

Now if you like your personal space then team driving probably isn’t an option for you. Think about it, trucks aren’t very big and you’ll have to split the space. Some people just casually place stuff in bins, and others develop an even storage system. Do what works for the team.

That’s another thing to consider, you won’t be able to do everything the way you want, you’ll have to work with another person. You’ll have to decide who drives during the day or at night, when to stop, and more. We’ve heard of some cases where drivers don’t want to stop and some people have had to use the bathroom in bottles. That happens on solo drives too though.

Driving tired is the equivalent to driving drunk. If you drive tired you’re risking your passenger’s life. Also, you should let your partner sleep, so he will be refresh and energized to safely drive you. This means that you may not be able to blast loud music or take phone calls all the time. You’ll have to adjust your personal driving preferences for your partner.

Other things that come into play are if you’re a smoker and your cleaning habits. If you’re a little messy and you get paired with a neat freak you might have a problem. Also, if you don’t smoke and your partner does, but you refuse to let them smoke in the cab tensions could quickly escalate.

With all this partner talk how do you even find one? That’s easy companies can assign one to you and work out the details and paperwork to agree to, or you can put an add out to find one yourself and handle the details yourself.

When you get a random partner, we hope you like them. Keep in mind that you could also get a partner of the opposite sex. This is mainly an issue for women because lady drivers need to feel comfortable with their partner.

Is Team Driving For You?

While it can be nice to have a buddy on the road, especially when you need some help, most drivers prefer to drive either with a pet or totally alone because they don’t want their personal space compromised. However, if you can trust your partner and be a respectful driver yourself, why not cover more ground together?

For more trucking tips visit ExpressTruckTax.com and please share your thoughts about team driving in the comment section below.

How Does Form 8849 Effect My 2290?

Posted on May 24, 2017 by - 2290, 2290 credit, 2290 Schedule 1, 2290 stamped Schedule 1, 2290 Tax Refund, e-file 2290, E-File Form 8849, E-file HVUT, Form 8849, HVUT, IRS Form 8849, pre-file 2290, pre-file form 2290

Alright, 2290 season is coming, and along with your Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) comes a lot of questions and sometimes a little confusion. Sometimes while filing your Form 2290 you might see information about Form 8849, but what’s that? Do you need to be concerned with it? Today we’re here with the 8849 facts to answer your questions.

Form 8849

Form 8849 is the Claim or Refund of Excise Taxes Form. Excise taxes are the taxes paid on goods when they’re purchased and they’re often included in the price. An example of one of these goods is gasoline, hints your IFTA tax. Also, excise taxes include activities, such as highway usage by trucks.

Highway usage?! Now that might ring a bell because if you drive a qualifying vehicle of 55,000 pounds or more then you are required to file Form 2290 in order to get a copy of your stamped Schedule 1. 

After filing your Form 2290 you can File Form 8849 to claim a credit or a refund on the amount of  HVUT paid. Anyone can file this form if they need to claim a refund or a credit.

You can claim credits or refunds for vehicles that were stolen, sold, or destroyed. You can also claim credits for vehicles that were only used for 5,000 miles or less on public highways and 7,500 miles or less for agricultural vehicles used during the tax period.

Just remember, before you can File Form 8849 you need to file your Form 2290 and pay any Heavy Vehicle Taxes owed to the IRS for the current tax season first.

All you need to File Form 8849 is your name, EIN, and address, but it needs to match what the IRS has on file. You can verify your information by calling the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.  

If you’ve already filed your 2290 then you should already have your Employee Identification Number, as the IRS requires you to have one to complete your return.

If you haven’t filed your 2290 and you need an EIN you can apply for one online with the IRS. It will take about 15 days for the EIN to become active if the e-filing system and forms may be rejected during that time.

Also, you will need the information for the vehicle that you’re claiming a refund for with details as to why you’re claiming a credit or refund, such as if it was stolen, sold, or destroyed with the date that the incident occurred.

Pre-File With ExpressTruckTax Plus

The faster you pre-file your Form 2290 then the faster you can claim a refund or credit with Form 8849. Call our sister company ExpressTruckTax Plus at 803.386.0320 and they’ll file your Form 2290 for you over the phone. Your return will be transmitted to the IRS on July 1st unless you would like it sent at a later date. The process is as easy as making a simple phone call.

Contact Us

Here at ExpressTruckTax, we want to help you quickly and easily handle all of your truck tax needs, headache free. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions that you may have over the phone Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM EST at 704.234.6005. We also offer live chat and 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com.

Preparing Your Rig For Summer

Posted on May 19, 2017 by - driving in severe weather, heat, heat wave, hot trucking, summer driving, summer maintenance, Summer rig, summer weather, Tornado, trucking in severe weather, trucking tornado

Hot hot hot! Who turned up the heat?! Oh, it was Mother nature, so it looks like we can’t really do anything about it but try and keep cool. While summer usually brings about fun in the pool or at the beach, it’s important to remember that not all time spent in the sun is fun. Summer can wreak havoc on our skin and trucks! Be sure to prepare yourself and your rig for rising summer temperatures.

Summer Tips For Your Rig 

Did you know that the trucker’s tan is a real thing? Usually, the arm on your driver’s side door can end up looking darker than the other and you could end up with a farmer’s tan! Also, protecting yourself from skin cancer caused by the sun’s damaging UV rays is pretty important.

To protect yourself from the sun wear a hat, long sleeves, and sunglasses. If you don’t want to wear long sleeves you can put sunscreens up on your windows or apply sunscreen lotion to your skin every few hours.

Summer is hot, don’t you know it! As temperatures rise you’ll find yourself becoming more dehydrated, so be sure to drink pretty of water during your trips. Soda won’t hydrate you like water and you don’t want to end up with a massive headache going down the interstate because you aren’t hydrated. Also, keep a few gallons of your water around in your rig in case of an emergency.

Heat during the summer adds an extra amount of stress on your engine so check your levels of oil, coolant, and the critical fluids that keep your engine cool and running. Remember, it’s always great to carry those fluids in your rig in case you need to top them off to prevent your rig from overheating and to avoid more expensive issues.

It’s a great time to check your AC for leaks because you don’t want it to go out during a trip. A few days without AC can be unbearably hot. Also, your belts are affected by heat too. Check them often to make sure that they’re still in place and feel them to make sure they’re still strong. If they’re spongy feelings, crackling, or look shiny on the underside then they need to be replaced.

Guess what can’t take the heat? Tires. Summer temperatures make them wear faster, so check their tread, and look for cracks. If one tire is under inflated then extra pressure will be put on the others, causing them to wear faster! Also, with your tires wearing faster then you may need to align them, so keep an eye out for that.

Summer is notorious for some crazy weather. Storms pop up out of nowhere, and that’s not good because when the rain suddenly hits the hot road during the summer then oils rise, making the pavement extra slippery until water washes the oils away. Be aware of the weather, and slow down when it rains.

Also, be on the lookout for severe summer storms. Rain that comes out of nowhere is one thing, but what about when you’re driving through the South and a major storm with hail, strong winds, and even tornados are possible? Know when to stop and wait out a storm or take a different route to avoid them.

Happy Summer

Summer is arguably the most fun season of all, so take a break to have some fun down by the water. However, the heat creates a whole new set of issues, so make sure that you and your rig are prepared to face them.

For more trucking blogs visit ExpressTruckTax.com and please share your tips about summer driving in the comment section below.

Save On Future 2290s With Our Wallet Feature

Posted on May 17, 2017 by - 2290, 2290 forms, 2290 Schedule 1, e-file 2290, expresstrucktax, Form 2290, future, HVUT Bulk Filer, hvut credit, phone file 2290, pre-file 2290, pre-file form 2290, prepaid credits, save, wallet

If you look off into the horizon you’ll see that HVUT season is approaching. Are you an owner operator who needs to file for a single truck? Or a fleet owner who needs to file for tons of trucks? Either way, those 2290’s need to be completed by the August 31st deadline and you can use the Wallet Feature from ExpressTruckTax to get major savings on your future HVUT filing needs.

The ExpressTruckTax Wallet Feature

The wallet feature allows you to purchase prepaid credits that provide a 10% discount on your future 2290 forms. Simply use the credits to pay for your form instead of using your credit cards.

In order to get credits create your free account with ExpressTruckTax and log in to access your wallet in the dashboard. It’s in the top right corner and will display how many prepaid credits you have for your future 2290 forms.

If you don’t have any credits click the orange ‘BUY’ button. Then you’ll see multiple purchasing options from a single vehicle to over 500. The credits don’t expire, so buy as many as you need for future 2290 forms.

Note: These credits provide a 10% discount on your 2290 form, not on the amount of HVUT owed.

These credits save money and they also save tons of time. Instead of having to hunt down your credit card and enter payment information every time you file a 2290 Form, you can simply click pay with credit.

How To E-file With ExpressTruckTax

First, either on your computer or with the free ExpressTruckTax app on your smartphone or tablet create your free account. You’ll register with your email address and create a personal password.

Then enter your business information and EIN or Employee Identification Number with serves as your Tax-ID. You need an EIN to file and can apply for one with the IRS.

Next, choose your tax year and your vehicle’s first used month. Then you’ll enter your vehicle’s information, including it’s VIN and taxable gross weight.

This is where you’ll verify if your vehicle was used for any special purposes like agricultural uses, or for logging.

After that, we will calculate exactly how much you owe to the IRS so you can pay your HVUT! You have several payment options available, including Direct Debit or Electronic Funds Withdrawal, EFTPS, and Check or Money Order.

Next, we will present you with a summary of your information so that you can make sure you entered everything correctly and our audit check will make sure that your form is clear of any basic errors.

Then once your payment has been entered you can safely and securely transmit your form directly to the IRS. Enter a 5-digit code of your choice to electronically sign your form before transmitting it.

Finally, the fun part! You will receive your stamped Schedule 1 almost immediately from the IRS via email! You can also have it texted or faxed anywhere you want.

But Wait, You Can Pre-File Now Over The Phone!

Call ExpressTruckTax Plus right now at 803.386.0320 to go ahead and pre-file your Form 2290 to get your HVUT out of the way. The process is easy, simply call them and they will send you the necessary consent forms via email. Then they will file and transmit your Form 2290 directly to the IRS on July 1st. You’ll receive your copy of your Schedule 1 via email, as soon as the IRS stamps it.

We’re Here For You

Taxes can be confusing, that’s why we’re here to help. If you need any assistance please call one of our truck tax experts. We will be more than happy to answer your questions. We’re available Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 PM at 704.234.6005. You can also reach us via live chat and we offer 24/7 email support at support@expressextension.com.

8 Mother’s Day Gifts For Your Trucking Mama

Posted on May 12, 2017 by - female driver, gifts for truckers, lady trucker, Mother's Day for Truckers, truck drivers, Trucker, Trucking Mama, Trucking Moms, woman trucker

8 Mother's Day Gifts For Your Trucking Mama

Mother’s Day is on Sunday, have you gotten your Mom, wife, or girlfriend, or any of the Moms in your life a gift yet? Well, it’s close to the deadline but it’s not too late yet! Show the Mom in your life what she means to you. On this special day, we would like to give a shout out to the Moms in the trucking industry who do their part driving solo, in teams, dispatching, riding along with their husbands, handling the books at home, and more!

What To Give Your Trucking Mama

1. You know what women and Mom’s enjoy? A little attention to show them that they’re special to you. That’s why you could get your wife or Mom a pair of headphones so she can talk to you hands-free when she’s out on the road. They even have excellent wireless headphones these days so she won’t even have to deal with the hassle of tangled cords.

2. When you’re out on the road you have to eat and drink, that means your Mom does too. Maybe you can get her a crockpot so she can conveniently cook her own healthy and delicious meals when she’s out on the road. You could also get her a gift card to one of her favorite places to eat.

3. Is the Mom in your life a coffee fan? Then don’t make her walk across a truck stop parking lot in the morning for her first cup of the day! Get her a portable coffee maker to keep in her rig. She will love having the ability to brew a cup whenever she wants. Be sure to include a special mug too that has a loving message, photos of you or her favorite pet, or her favorite sports team on it.

4. Did you know most female truckers consider their rigs to be one of their babies? Maybe you could show you care by cleaning her truck for her. Go ahead and bust out the hose and suds to make that baby sparkle. Don’t stop with the outside, clean up the inside too. Wipe down the dash and the windows and clean out any trash or clutter.

5. Trucks are like a home away from home, so make sure the rig for the Mom in your life is cozy. Place some photos of yourself, the kids, or pets, around the truck for her to find. You could also write a series of special notes with reasons why you love her for her to find. Maybe weeks from now she will find another one of your notes and become overjoyed.

6. Is her sleeper cab comfortable enough for a good night’s rest? Sleep is important on the road and you don’t want your Mom or wife to drive tired. Does she need a better pillow? Space heater to stay warm? Softer blanket? Black out curtains to block the light? Ear plugs? The possibilities for making her rig more comfortable are endless.

7. Did you know that driving can boring? You probably did already, but that means the Mom in your life can get bored too. Get her an audio book or a subscription to an audio book streaming service to give her something fun to listen to for hours on the open road.

8. Let her relax. After getting home from a trip she will be tired, so cleaning the house or cooking dinner for the family might not be at the top of her list. Let her come home to a clean house and a home cooked meal so she can relax and catch up with everyone.

Don’t stop with a meal, have a movie picked out and ready to watch as a group, or you can get her a bubble bath kit with a bath bomb, lotion, and a candle, so she can take a load off for a while.

Appreciate Your Trucking Mama

No one makes you smile like the Mom in your life, so be sure to take the time to make her feel special this Mother’s Day. Moms all across the nation whether their drivers, work in the office, are involved in the trucking industry or not deserve to be celebrated for all that they do.

For more trucking tips visit ExpressTruckTax.com and please share your Mother’s Day gift ideas in the comment section below.

5 Common HVUT E-Filing Mistakes

Posted on May 10, 2017 by - 2290, 2290 mistakes, 2290 Mistakes To avoid, 2290 Mobile App, 2290 Schedule 1, 2290 stamped Schedule 1, Common 2290 Mistakes, e-file 2290, E-file HVUT, HVUT, phone file 2290, pre-file 2290, pre-file form 2290

Taxes are already confusing enough. You have to know what form to file, when to file, how to file, and more. To make matters worse even if you file your form on time, it can still be rejected for simple mistakes! Then you have to go through the process of correcting your form.

Even though ExpressTruckTax has made that e-filing process and amendment process incredibly easy, with the HVUT season approaching, we want your form to get accepted the first time! So, check out these common HVUT mistakes to avoid!

Common HVUT Mistakes To Avoid

1. Entering Your VIN Incorrectly. Slow down, you need to make sure that all of your information gets entered correctly. Vehicle Identification Numbers consist of 17 characters that include both numbers and letters, so they can easily get mixed up.

Plus, VINs have incredibly small print. We often find ourselves squinting to reference our own! It might be hard to see if something is a 1 or an I, or a 0 or an O, so bust out your glasses to take a really good, close look at your VIN. After you enter it on your form double check it to makes sure that it’s correct.

2. Waiting too long to get your EIN. Sometimes people don’t realize that they need an EIN or Federal Tax Identification Number to file their 2290. Your EIN also serves as your Employment Identification Number.

You can apply for an EIN with the IRS directly, but keep in mind that it takes at least 15 days for your EIN to be added to the system. So, if you file your 2290 and apply for your EIN too close to the deadline, then your form could be rejected. If you need an EIN don’t wait til the last minute!

Some people ignore the fact that they need an EIN and put their SSN number in the field. The IRS no longer accepts Social Security Numbers in place of EINs! 

3. Mismatching mistakes. Keep in mind that your business name, address, and EIN has to match what the IRS has on file. You can call the IRS directly to verify your information.

4. Don’t enter the wrong tax year. It’s really easy to put the wrong year on checks, dates, important forms, and more! While you can e-file for 2290’s for previous years, if you want to file for the current tax year, which is July 2016 – June 2017, make sure you have those dates correctly selected.

5. Filing is put off until the last minute. No one wants to deal with taxes, so they wait as long as they can to file them, which usually results in filing too late or finding out that your form needs corrections that you don’t have enough time to make before the deadline.

However, in reality, it’s extremely easy to e-file Form 2290. With ExpressTruckTax you can follow the step-by-step guide to easily handle your HVUT in a matter of minutes and receive your stamped Schedule 1 via email almost instantly.

You don’t even need a computer to file. Download the free ExpressTruckTax app to any iOS or Android Device to quickly and easily e-file your 2290 at any time, from any location. This makes it super easy to file even while you’re out on the road.

But wait, you don’t even have to wait! Go ahead and take care of your HVUT today by calling our sister company ExpressTruckTax Plus at 803.386.0320 to pre-file over the phone today. All you have to do is call them, and they’ll file your Form 2290 for you, and transmit it the IRS on July 1st! As soon as the IRS stamps your Schedule 1 you’ll receive it via email!

We’re Here to Help

With HVUT season approaching don’t worry, we’re here to help. We will be more than happy to answer your questions and even walk you through the filing process. Give us a call Monday – Friday from 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM EST at 704.234.6005, chat with us online, or take advantage of our 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com