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Friday, November 30, 2012

Form 2290 Deadline Today for Heavy Vehicles First Used in October 2012

Today is the last day of November and that means today is the deadline to file Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicles that were first placed on public highways during October 2012.


A Vehicle is considered to be a taxable vehicle if it was operating on public roads between the tax periods of July through June. A vehicle is also considered to be taxable if it has a taxable gross weight of at least 55,000 pounds and travels at least 5,000 miles during the tax period (7,500 miles if used for agriculture).

We here at Truck Services of North America can handle it for you.  Just give us a call at 803.386.0320 and have your business details, including EIN, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and Gross Weight of the Vehicle (Combined with maximum load) and form of IRS payment,  either Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFT), Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) or Check/Money Order and we take care of the rest.

If you placed a heavy vehicle on the road in October, you are required to file Form 2290 and the deadline is today. Your tax due will be prorated based only on 9 months, instead of the full year.  Be sure to get this filed today to avoid possible IRS penalties and let TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way!  Contact our US Based Customer Service at 803.386.0320 to get your Form 2290 returned filed today!  Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com.
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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tomorrow is the Deadline to file Form 2290

Tomorrow, Friday, November 30, 2012 is the deadline to file Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Taxes on vehicles first placed on public highways during the month of October.  On the road and unable to file on your own?  No problem, just give us a call and we’ll take care of it for you.  We take all your information over the phone and submit it to the IRS on your behalf!  All we need is your information and a signed Form 8453, giving us the authorization to file for you.  We can fax you the form, you sign it a fax it back and we take care of the rest.

We can even send your employer proof that you filed your Form 2290 for you.  So don’t risk IRS penalties by missing tomorrow’s deadline.  Truck Services of North America can handle it for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way!  Contact our US Based Customer Service at 803.386.0320 to get your Form 2290 returned filed today!  Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com.
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Wednesday, November 28, 2012

All About IFTA

What is IFTA?
The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is an agreement between the lower 48 states of the United States and the Canadian provinces (except Northwestern Territories, Nunavut and Yukon), to simplify the reporting of fuel use by motor carriers that operate in more than one jurisdiction. Under IFTA, you are able to file one return in your base jurisdiction and that jurisdiction will allocate the money appropriately.  This agreement definitely simplified what used to be a very long and time-consuming process.

Who is required to file?
This tax is required for motor vehicles used, designed, or maintained for transportation of persons or property and: 
  • Having two axles and a gross vehicle weight rating or registered gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, and/or 
  • Having three or more axles regardless of weight, and/or 
  • Is used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross vehicle or registered gross vehicle weight.
Exceptions exist for Recreational Vehicles (such as motor homes, pickup trucks with attached campers, and buses when used exclusively for personal pleasure by an individual). Some states have their own exemptions that may apply to farm vehicles or government vehicles, so check your state for their specific exemptions.

When do you have to file?

Under IFTA, you are required to file quarterly fuel tax reports.
  • The reporting quarters and due dates are:  
January – March
April 30
April – June
July 31
July – September
October 31
October – December
January 31


How do you file?

The filing process varies from state to state.  Some states offer e-filing, with more states moving towards that option.  Check with your state to find out what is required.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can set up your IFTA accounts and file your Quarterly IFTA Taxes for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.
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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Why Use TSNA?

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America provides the services and tools to help start your business and keep it compliant. We take care of filing the necessary paperwork on your behalf for registrations, renewals, quarterly taxes, permits and more, so you don’t have to mess with it allowing you to stay focused on the road.  

Here are some of the many services we handle:
Operating Authority 
  • We handle the complicated process of getting your operating authority to give you the freedom and ability to operate on your own.
USDOT Number 
  • The USDOT Number is a unique identifier used to monitor your company’s safety and compliance during inspections and audits.
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) 
  • The UCR agreement requires all interstate carriers, freight forwarders, leasing companies and brokers based in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to register and submit an annual filing.
Federal Form 2290 HVUT (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return) 
  • Used to calculate and pay the HVUT due on highway motor vehicles used during the period with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more.
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) 
  • IFTA is where member jurisdictions act cooperatively to administer and collect motor fuel use taxes for carriers operating in multiple jurisdictions. It is required for all commercial motor carriers, having a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 lbs. or more, or those with 3 or more axles, who travel outside their base state. The IFTA license decals will provide blanket coverage for 48 states and all of the Canadian provinces.
International Registration Plan (IRP) 
  • Also called Apportioned Registration, a registration reciprocity agreement among the 48 contiguous states of the United States, the District of Columbia and provinces of Canada providing for payment of apportionable fees on the basis of total distance operated in all jurisdictions.
Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) 
  • Also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, a unique 9 digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service and is used to identify a business entity.
Start Up Services 
  • We have packages to get you what you need to get on the road as quickly as possible. We can also customize a package based on the individual services you require.
TSNA saves you time and money by preparing registrations, tax forms and permits, quickly and accurately. Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com. Don’t see what you are looking for?  No problem, simply fill out the Service Request Form and note the service you require in the message section and we will contact you for details.  Of course you can always email us at support@tsnamerica.com or call 803.386.0320. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way.
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Monday, November 26, 2012

Who Is Not Subject To UCR (Unified Carrier Registration)

UCR is the Unified Carrier Registration that requires  any interstate carriers, freight forwarders, leasing companies and brokers based in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to register and submit an annual filing. Those registered under the UCR agreement are also subject to annual fees based on the total number of commercial vehicles operated by the company.

Truck Services of North America receives many inquiries about who is subject to UCR fees and who is not.  Below is who is NOT subject to UCR fees: 
  1. Entities that receive USDOT numbers under the PRISM program as UCR “registrants” but have no interstate operating authority
  • NOTE: FMCSA eliminated Registrant-Only USDOT Numbers in October 2012.  If you had a Registrant-Only USDOT Number, it may now be inactive.
  1. Purely intrastate carriers that do not handle interstate freight or make interstate movements, unless the State has elected to apply the provisions of the UCR Agreement to such intrastate carriers, and they are listed as  intrastate in MCMIS
  2. Motor private carriers transporting only passengers
  3. Companies that operate fire trucks and other emergency vehicles as part of their business
  4. Intrastate only transporter of hazardous materials (regulated by USDOT)
  5. A motor carrier or motor private carrier operating solely in Hawaii is not subject to the UCR.  However, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies are subject to the UCR.
  6. Commercial motor vehicles operated by a federal, state, city, or county governmental agency or an Indian tribe (a sovereign nation)
  7. PODS (portable on demand storage) that are specially designed containers to store household goods
For more information go to https://www.ucr.in.gov/MCS/UCRFAQ.pdf or contact TSNA.  As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist you in obtaining your UCR.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.
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Friday, November 23, 2012

Next Friday is the Form 2290 Deadline For Vehicles First Used in October

Reminder, if you first placed your vehicle on the road anytime during the month of October, you must file your Form 2290 by November 30, 2012. If a vehicle was used during any part of a month, the tax will be calculated for that month as a whole. For example, if a vehicle was used on October 15th, it will be taxed as though it was used the entire month.  


The tax will be prorated based on the number of months the vehicle will have been used during the tax year. So vehicles that were placed in service during the month of October will need to file HVUT using the Form 2290 by November 30th, and the tax will be based on 9 months, instead of the full year.

While the deadline for vehicles first used in October is November 30 2012, you may need to file your Form 2290 before the deadline in order to get or renew your IRP plates.  Many states require a stamped Schedule 1 as proof that your 2290 was filed before they will issue or renew your plates.  Don’t wait until the last minute and risk filing late which may incur penalties and interest.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can file your Form 2290 Heavy Highway Use Tax for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. For more details contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.
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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

TSNA Wishes You A Happy and Safe Thanksgiving

A sincere thank you for choosing Truck Services of North America for your trucking needs. May the Thanksgiving holiday bring you good things in abundance that stay with you all year long.

Our office will be open during regular business hours of 8am - 6pm on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 with live, chat and email support. We will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Friday November 23, 2012 we will have email support only.

At this time of Thanksgiving, we are truly grateful for your business and wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Obtaining Your Own Operating Authority

You will need the authority itself, apportioned license plate and IFTA account. To obtain your authority, you will need a USDOT Number and the type of cargo you will be hauling. Every new company that applies for a DOT number has to undergo a safety audit. Every driver will have to have a driver qualification file, complete pre-employment drug testing and enroll in a random drug testing pool. Previous driving experience will have to be verified. Once you get the authority, you must display your company name and DOT number on the outside of the truck and you will be able to operate legally in all 48 continental states.

Through the International Registration Plan (IRP), you will obtain your apportioned license plate, which you will  designate the states in which you will run in. The renewal process will vary from state to state.

The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA), between the 48 contiguous States and 10 Canadian Provinces, where the member jurisdictions acts cooperatively to administer and collect motor fuel use taxes. The purpose of IFTA is to establish and maintain the concept of one fuel use license and one administering base jurisdiction for each license holder (licensee). Under IFTA, you only have to report to one state and the state allocate the fuel tax payments. IFTA tax Returns must be filed quarterly.  Returns are due the last day of the month following the end of the calendar quarter.  IFTA decals are renewed annually based on the calendar year.

Kentucky, New Mexico and New York  have an additional weight-distance tax based on the number of miles you run in those states. Oregon doesn’t participate in IFTA, imposing instead a tax per trip in the state or issuing a permit to collect taxes. Kentucky issues a non-renewable KYU number that remains active and legal as long as you stay current with registrations and tax filings. New Mexico’s permit is annual on the calendar year and has to be renewed. New York issues NYHUT permits in a three-year series, and are up for renewal this year in  2012.

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) is required for any interstate carriers, freight forwarders, leasing companies and brokers based in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to register and submit an annual filing. Those registered under the UCR agreement are also subject to annual fees based on the total number of commercial vehicles operated by the company.

DOT is getting stricter so you will want to be aware of the rules and regulations and keep up with your records, registrations, taxes and log books.  As a premier process service agency, Truck Services of North America provides the services and tools to help start your business and keep it compliant. Let TSNA navigate your business through the maze of paperwork! Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com. Don’t see what you are looking for?  No problem, simply fill out the Service Request Form and note the service you require in the message section and we will contact you for details.  Of course you can always email us at support@tsnamerica.com or call 803.386.0320. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way!
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