3rd Quarter Oregon Weight-Mile Tax Due Date

Reminder, 3rd Quarter Oregon Weight-Mile Tax Returns are normally due on November 30th, but since it falls on a weekend this year, the due date will be December 2, 2013.  

You are required to file a tax return regardless if you had any Oregon operations or not. You must cancel your Weight Receipt if you will no longer be operating in Oregon.  

All first year Weight Receipt holders are required to report mileage tax on a monthly basis.  While paying on a monthly basis, the report and payment must filed online or be postmarked by the postal service by the last day of the month following the reporting period.  For example, your October report must be postmarked no later than November 30th.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can obtain and file your Weight-Mile Tax  and file your taxes for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Happy Thanksgiving From Truck Services of North America

Truck Services of North America would like to express how grateful we are to our customers. Wish wish you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Our office will be closed today for Thanksgiving Day and on tomorrow, Friday November 29th, we will have email support only.

Thank you again for choosing Truck Services of North America for your trucking needs and we hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving.

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Truckers: Need Help Obtaining Your Operating Authority

Getting your own operating authority gives you the freedom and ability to run your own operation. In addition to getting your authority, you will be required to register your vehicle and set up the necessary tax accounts, in order to run legally.

At Truck Services of North America, we have packages to assist you and can customize a package to meet your individual needs.  We offer many services, and here a few:

FMCSA Interstate Operating Authority

Also referred to as an "MC","FF" or "MX" number, depending on the type of authority that is granted. Generally, 'for-hire' carriers engaging in interstate are required to have Interstate Authority Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). TSNA has the expertise to get you your federal authority - quickly and accurately.

Intrastate Authority

Intrastate trucking authority is the right granted by a state to commence for hire trucking operations within the borders of that specific state. A company that is only engaged in intrastate activities does not need to register with IRP or IFTA.

USDOT Number

Companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number. The USDOT Number is a unique identifier used to monitor your company’s safety and compliance during inspections and audits. FMCSA regulations require that all companies and individuals transporting passengers or cargo across state lines using commercial vehicles with a total gross or combined weight of 10,000 lbs or more must register with the FMCSA and obtain a USDOT number. Many states now require ALL commercial vehicle registrants to obtain a USDOT number, including intrastate carriers.

Companies required to obtain a USDOT number must re-file appropriate documentation biennially or in the event the company needs to update information with the FMCSA.

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Program is a federally-mandated, annual state-administered registration program. In 2007, Congress replaced the Single State Registration System (SSRS) with the Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) program. 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. Those registered under the UCR agreement are also subject to annual fees based on the total number of commercial vehicles operated by the company.

BOC-3 (Process Agents)

Federal regulations require all motor carriers, brokers and freight forwarders to have a current BOC-3 form on file with the FMCSA. The BOC-3 is used to designate process agents (also known as BOC-3 agents) in every state in which the business operates. The process agent serves as a representative for your business in the event that legal documents or court papers must be served.

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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2014 UCR Registration Now Open

You are required to maintain 3 years proof of UCR registration, so you will want to make sure you are registered for the last 3 years. 2014 Unified Carrier Registration Period is open and the deadline to register is December 31, 2013.  

2012 & 2013 UCR are PAST DUE!

States are implementing UCR audit procedures that in some states can be in excess of $1000 for your first offense.  

The Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Plan and Agreement are part of a Federally-mandated, State-administered program where states collect fees from motor carriers, motor private carriers, freight forwarders, brokers and leasing companies, based on the number of qualifying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in their fleets. The revenues generated will be used for enforcement of motor carrier safety programs.

All motor carriers (for-hire, private and exempt) – as well as brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies operating in interstate or international commerce are subject to the new UCR.   Entities based in Canada and Mexico that are involved in interstate or international commerce in the United States are also subject to UCR.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can obtain or renew your UCR for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Trucker Start Up Packages

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America takes 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.

At TSNA, we have packages to assist you and can customize a package to meet your individual needs.  We offer many services, and here a few:

• Basic Authority Package - $600
• FMCSA Interstate Operating Authority
• US DOT Number
• BOC-3
• EIN Number

• Premium Authority Package - $800*
• All of the services included in the Basic Authority Package
• UCR
• IFTA
• IRP
• Form 2290 HVUT

• Complete Authority Package - $950*
• All of the services included in the Premium Authority Package                
• KYU Number               
• NYHUT
• OR Weight-Mile Tax
• NM WD

*( Price for Premium & Complete Authority Packages do not include all state and federal fees.)

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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2014 Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) Renewal Reminder

2014 Unified Carrier Registration is open and the deadline to register is December 31, 2013.  2012 & 2013 UCR are PAST DUE! The 2014 UCR fees remain the same, with no increase.  States are implementing UCR audit procedures that in some states can be in excess of $1000 for your first offense.  You are required to maintain three years proof of UCR registration, so you will want to make sure you are registered for the last 3 years.

All motor carriers (for-hire, private and exempt) – as well as brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies operating in interstate or international commerce are subject to the new UCR.   Entities based in Canada and Mexico that are involved in interstate or international commerce in the United States are also subject to UCR.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can obtain or renew your UCR for you.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way. Check out all our services at TSNAmerica.com and fill out the Service Request Form, email us at support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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ATTN: Ohio CDL Holders

On November 5, 2013, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) released a notice to remind all Commercial Driver License (CDL) holders of the new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations that went into effect as of January 30, 2012.

All CDL holders must update their driving record with the BMV by self-certifying the type of commercial driving by January 30, 2014 or they will no longer be eligible to operate a commercial motor vehicle.  Currently there are 120,000 Ohio CDL holders who have not done so and are at risk of losing their CDL privileges.

The Ohio BMV realizes that many CDL holders are not aware of these changes and sent a notice out to the Ohio Trucking Association and the Ohio Association of Movers to help inform the CDL holders.

For more information see http://bmv.ohio.gov/cdl_fed_regulations.stm.

Truck Services of North America works to help you stay informed of situations that may affect you. For more information about any of our other services, contact us at TSNAmerica.com, email support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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New Web-Based IRP System Coming In Oklahoma

On December 2, 2013 Oklahoma will launch a new web-based IRP system, that will issue 8½” X 11” paper credentials that will include PRISM compliant bar codes and QR codes. The QR code can be scanned by any smart device for verification of the credentials. An enforcement verification link to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission will also be included on the credentials.  

The link is https://apps.occeweb.com/IRPExternal/ and the user will enter the Enforcement Control Number or the last 5 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to verifiy the credentials are valid.  This service will be available 24/7.

On November 6, 2013, a notice from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission was sent to the International Registration Plan, Inc along with examples of the new credentials.

Truck Services of North America works to help you stay informed of situations that may affect you. For more information about Oklahoma IRP services or any of our other services, contact us at TSNAmerica.com, email support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Proposed Strategies For 2013 Trucking Industry Top Issues

Last week we shared the report released by American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), presenting the 2013 top issues in the trucking industry.  Today we will share the proposed strategies, as they appeared in the report. They are as follows:

Issue	Proposed Strategies
1. Hours-of-Service	Quantify the impacts of 2013 HOS changes on industry operations, productivity and safety Research and advocate for more innovative and flexible strategies for fatigue management than prescriptive HOS rules Advocate for increased flexibility in the current sleeper berth provision
2. Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)	Push for a crash accountability determination process that removes non-preventable crashes from carrier scores Utilize Inspector General (IG) and Government Accountability Office (GAO) findings to push FMCSA to correct flaws in the scoring system Quantify the impact of disparate state enforcement practices on carrier CSA scores and advocate for more uniform enforcement
3. Driver Shortage	Examine the competitiveness of truck driver pay and benefits as compared to other industries Work with state and federal authorities to consider a graduated CDL program to safely attract new and younger drivers Continue work to streamline the transition from a military CDL to a civilian CDL in order to attract more veterans to the trucking industry
4 Economy	Advocate for reforming/repealing ineffective and burdensome regulations that add to industry costs without providing benefits Pressure Congress to change its pattern of short-term extensions and inaction that creates more uncertainty in the economy Continue to advocate for policies that will stimulate the economy
5. Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Mandate	Advocate for FMCSA to include provisions that retain existing Hours-of-Service (HOS) exemptions and provide supporting document relief in an ELD mandate Ensure that the ELD mandate does not require storage or transfer of data unrelated to HOS record of duty status Encourage FMCSA to issue the congressionally-mandated ELD rule in a timely fashion
6. Truck Parking	Investment in new truck parking facilities & work to reopen closed public rest facilities Educate the public on safety consequences resulting from closing public parking facilities Research the role and value of real-time truck parking information availability and truck parking reservation systems
7. Driver Retention	Help improve work/life balance, healthy lifestyles and family relationships for drivers Research the basis for driver turnover by personality type, compensation models and industry business/operating models Study the effectiveness of carrier retention programs that financially incentivize drivers for safe driving performance
8. Fuel Supply/Fuel Prices	Advocate for measures that limit financial market speculation on energy which can cause price fluctuations/volatility Support expanded use of domestic energy sources to improve the reliability of our energy supply Support effective technologies and proven methods for improving fuel efficiency that could lower fuel costs
9. Infrastructure/Congestion/Funding	Advocate for fuel tax increases to efficiently fund the surface transportation system Identify the worst trouble spots as a means for targeting government infrastructure investments Utilize the congressionally- mandated National Freight Policy and National Freight Network as tools to ensure adequate investment in critical highway infrastructure
10. Driver health and Wellness	Encourage increase availability & healthy food choices at truck stops/travel plazas Educate the carriers-create a model health & wellness program based on national best practices Promote research that quantifies the return-on-investment potential of driver health & wellness programs

By identifying the top issues in the trucking industry,  and strategies to improve them, this study is not about finger pointing, but instead a tool that can be used to find a solution to the issues.

Truck Services of North America works to help you stay informed of the trucking industry and the impact it may have on you. For more information about any of our services, contact us at TSNAmerica.com, email support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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