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Thursday, June 21, 2018

Everything You Need to Know About Form 2290 Filing

Tax season is barreling down the highway, so buckle up, because it’s not stopping. If your vehicle’s first used month was July then your HVUT Form 2290 due date is coming up. Don’t let this major deadline pass you by! Here is everything you need to know about Form 2290 filing.

Everything You Need to Know About Form 2290 Filing

Before we get into your Form 2290 filing, let’s go over what your heavy highway use tax is for those new to the industry. So who is required to file IRS Form 2290? If you are an Owner-Operator with a vehicle with more than 55,000 Ibs in gross weight, then Form 2290 filing applies to you.

You will need to file HVUT Form 2290 and pay taxes to receive your stamped Schedule 1. But why is this important? Well, without this little piece of paper you will be unable to renew your tags at the DMV or registration for IFTA, IRP, or UCR.



Your stamped Schedule 1 is your proof of payment for the heavy highway use tax. Once the IRS receives and approves your IRS Form 2290, you will get your stamped Schedule 1. When you file over the phone with TSNAmerica, the IRS will email your Schedule 1 with a digital watermark.

You will want to keep a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 in your truck at all times. If you are crossing international borders (Canada), the border patrol will check that you have a current stamped Schedule 1 before allowing you back into the US.

TSNAmerica: 803.386.0320


Form 2290 Filing Made Easy

Give us a call at 803.386.0320 for the easiest way to file your IRS Form 2290. Our outstanding bilingual support team will file Form 2290 while you are on the phone. The process is a straightforward 5-minute phone call, and as a result, you will receive a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 via email.


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Wednesday, June 13, 2018

You Need to Know What The Senate DOT Bill Contained

The DOT bill released by the U.S. Appropriations Committee did not contain any trucking policy reform such as the ELD (Electronic Logging Device) mandate and Denham Amendment. The bill passed but the Senate Appropriations Committee differs from its counterpart passed by the House Committee. So what was included? You need to know what the Senate DOT bill contained.


You Need to Know What The Senate DOT Bill Contained

The bill passed by the U.S. House included the proposed changes to the ELD mandate for livestock haulers. It also prevented the Safety Fitness Determination (SFD) rule without the implementation of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program.

Unlike the House bill, the Senates does not heavily impact the trucking industry. It mainly focuses on general litigation and FMCSA mandated deadlines.

The Senate Appropriations Committee did direct the DOT to evaluate the needs of livestock drivers in relations to the ELD mandate further. The plan passed by the U.S. House extended the ELD exemption for both livestock and insect haulers to September 2019. The Senate committee stated that lawmakers should “consult with stakeholders, the Department of Agriculture and Congress on legislative solutions for drivers with unique working conditions.”

The current DOT funding expires at the end of September, however, the Senate has not set a date for considering the bill. Once consideration begins in the Senate, legislatures can add trucking reforms during the amendment process. The U.S. House has yet to bring the DOT appropriations bill to the floor as well.


If the two governing bodies pass a different version of the bill, the lawmakers will enter a conference committee to produce a finalized bill. This will then be passed again by the respective governing bodies. Any trucking reform that is attached would be subject to intense review during the committee process. 

We want to hear from you! Click here to share. Let us know your thoughts on the DOT bill!

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Wednesday, June 6, 2018

What You Need to Know About the Denham Amendment 2018

The Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) reauthorization 2018 bill passed through the House on April 26, 2018, and included an amendment that will affect all within the trucking industry. The Denham-Cuellar-Costa Amendment simply known as the Denham Amendment has received very mixed reactions from those within the trucking industry. Here is what you need to know about the Denham Amendment 2018.

What You Need to Know About the Denham Amendment 2018

Sponsored by U.S. House representatives Jeff Denham (R-Cali), Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), and Jim Costa (D-Cali), the Denham Amendment will provide standardized meal and rest breaks for truckers. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) believe that the amendment will streamline interstate commerce by further federalizing the hours-of-service rules and regulations. However, on the other end of the spectrum, you have the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), they believe the Denham Amendment is a threat to drivers fair pay and breaks.

What Does The Denham Amendment Mean?

Before we get into the current industry fight, we will review the facts about the Denham Amendment and how it will affect you. In summary, the amendment will prevent an individual state from setting their own rules and regulations. All drivers will need to abide by the Department of Transportation’s (DOTs) hours-of-service by federal law.

Under the current federal hours-of-service regulations, drivers are required to take a 20-minute break after driving for eight hours. This means drivers can now work longer hours without taking breaks and without violating state laws.
For example, California requires a 10-minute break for every four hours driven and a 30-minute meal break for every five working hours. The new hours-of-service will be enforced using a mandated Electronic Logging Device (ELD).


ATA Vs. OOIDA

So what do both parties want regarding the Denham Amendment?:

American Trucking Associations (ATA):
  • They want unified regulations that will not hamper interstate commerce.
  • ATA believes productivity will rise with the Denham Amendment since drivers can continue driving to meet shipment times.
  • This will cause less confusion when crossing into new jurisdictions.


Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA):
  • They believe this will deter drivers from taking much-needed breaks, potentially causing accidents and a decrease in productivity.
  • Under the Denham Amendment drivers wages will be standardized as well because companies will not be required to meet state-imposed minimum wages. 


We want to hear from you! Click here to share. Let us know your thoughts on the Denham Amendment. Do you like that the hours-of-service will be standardized between state lines or do you believe it will negatively affect your pay/breaks?


For more trucking news and information click here.


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Monday, June 4, 2018

New IRS Form 2290 Payment Options

Have You Heard About the New IRS Form 2290 Payment Options?

It may be hard to believe, but it’s already time to start filing your 2018-19 2290! If you’re currently thinking, “Wait, 2290 season doesn’t start until July?” then you would be correct, partially. Since we’ve worked hand-in-hand with the IRS for more than ten years now, we are excited to offer IRS Form 2290 filing for the 2018-19 tax year ahead of schedule. This is exclusive for ExpressTruckTax customers so you can get back to enjoying time with your family instead of worrying about filing your 2290 tax form.

IRS Payment Methods for Form 2290

When you file Form 2290 over the phone with TSNAmerica, all you have to do it give us your information and we will file on your behalf in a matter of minutes. When it is time to pay you can choose between 3 different payment options based on the most convenient method for you.

Direct Debit or Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW)

Provide your banking information (account and routing number) through TSNAmerica’s safe and secure system to authorize the IRS to debit the amount you owe from your bank account. It is important that your account has enough funds to cover the amount you owe.

The amount is generally withdrawn in 24 to 48 hours after providing authorization. Keep in mind that this involves your banking information, not your credit/debit card number.

If you need to cancel your payment contact IRS payment services at 1.888.353.4537 at least 2 days before the payment date.

EFTPS (Electronic Federal Tax Payment System) is the electronic tax payment system used by the IRS. If you choose this payment option you will be taken to the EFTPS site, and you’ll create a free account. Please keep in mind that it can take up to 10 business days to establish this type of account.

To pay the IRS through EFTPS, you will provide your bank account information and verify that the IRS is allowed to withdraw your tax payment from that account. In order to make your payment by the deadline, you must schedule it before 8 p.m. the day before the deadline for it to be received by the IRS in time.

Direct Debit or Electronic Funds Withdrawal (EFW)


You can also pay the amount of HVUT you owe with a Check or Money Order. If you choose this option you will need to print your completed payment voucher, 2290-V, from page 11 of your completed 2290 Form and mail to the IRS by the August 31st deadline.

Make your check or money order payable to the United States Treasury. Also, you will need to include your name, address, EIN, the date, and the words “IRS Form 2290” with your payment.

Do not staple your payment and voucher together.

Send your payment and voucher 2290-V to:
Internal Revenue Service
P.O. Box 804525,
Cincinnati, OH 45280-4525

Remember, never send cash through the mail.

Important: If you have already paid your HVUT via Direct Debit or EFW and received a letter from the IRS saying they were unable to debit the funds there are a few likely causes:

- Your account and routing number were entered into ExpressTruckTax incorrectly. Even entering one character incorrectly will prevent the IRS from being able to withdraw the amount you owe.
- The IRS tried to debit your account, but you had insufficient funds. If you are even as little as 50 cents short then the IRS will not debit the funds.

If you receive a letter from the IRS saying they could not withdraw the funds from the bank account provided then you will need to send a check or money order to the IRS in order to pay the amount you owe by the August 31st deadline.



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