Breaking News: 2016 IFTA Grace Period Announcement!

So you did everything you were supposed to, got your IFTA license application in before the December 31 deadline, paid your fees, and you’re just waiting on your new license and decals. But what now? Is it OK to drive before you receive your new decals and license?

While applications were due by December 31, as you know, it typically takes a few weeks to actually receive your new license and decals. This “grace period” was put into place in order to serve as the gap of time between new applications being submitted and new credentials being received.

2016 IFTA Grace Period

Without further ado, here is the official wording from the IFTA headquarters in Arizona on how the R655 Grace period works:

Carriers renewing their IFTA license and decals have a two-month grace period (January and February) to display the renewal IFTA license and decals. To operate in IFTA jurisdictions during this grace period, carriers must display either valid current or prior year IFTA license and decals from the jurisdiction in which they were operating or a valid single-trip permit from the IFTA jurisdiction in which they are operating.

So just to be clear, it is required for carriers to display at least one of the following items in order to legally travel in IFTA jurisdictions for the first couple months in 2016:

• 1) A valid IFTA license for 2016 and two IFTA decals from a member jurisdiction
• 2) A valid IFTA license for 2015 and two IFTA decals from a member jurisdiction (only if a renewal application has been filed) 
• 3) A valid trip permit from a member jurisdiction (it must be from the member jurisdiction you are operating in.

So now you know everything there is about the IFTA Grace Period for 2016! If you have any questions, or need some help getting yourself and your rig road legal just give us a call! We’re available by phone at 803.386.0320 or you can fill out a service request!

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TSNAmerica: Trucking Nation News Update

We’re back again Trucking Nation! And once again, we’ve crammed all the latest and greatest news updates in our newest installment of the Trucking Nation News Update. So sit back, buckle your seat belt, and let’s throw this thing into gear!

E-Logs

We know, we’ve mentioned this a time or ten, and so has everyone else. But the official ruling is FINALLY in place (took long enough, right?) and is set to go into effect December 16, 2017.

The federal rule that will require all truck operators to use electronic logging devices has now been published into the Federal Register, but not without backlash from the trucking industry. OOIDA has petitioned the ruling, and President and CEO Jim Johnston even went as far as to say OOIDA plans to, “fight this with everything we’ve got.” So while this rule may be now be published, it’s future is still unclear. (shocker)

Note: If you have a truck made before the year 2000, you’re a lucky trucker, because the e-log rule doesn’t apply to you. Enjoy your freedom!

URS- Unified Registration System

The Unified Registration System officially began its phased launch on December 12, 2015, putting into effect an entirely new system. What is it? It’s a new electronic online registration system made to streamline the FMCSA’s registration process. Skeptical? We don’t blame you.

But the good news is if you’re already registered you won’t have to worry about it until next year, because only new applicants are affected by the December 12 launch. Anyone that already has an existing USDOT, MC, or FF number will not be required to register using the new system until Sept. 30, 2016.

Don’t worry folks, we’ll be giving you plenty more information about the process before then, so stay tuned for our Unified Registration System FAQs!

Deadlines

With the excitement that comes with the holiday season and the end of the year, don’t forget about deadlines! Like we mentioned before, UCR Registration period is open and we’re here to help. The registration period began back in October and runs until the end of the year, so if you’ve successfully procrastinated doing it until now you may as well just let someone else do it for you! (Cough, us.) So just give us a call and let us take some of the unneeded stress of your plate this holiday season.

And just a quick and friendly reminder, the IFTA 4th quarter also concludes at the end of the year, so you’ll need to have your IFTA reports done and filed by January 31, 2016. Just in case you were wondering, yes, we do IFTA too.

You can give us a call at 803.386.0320 or email us at support@tsnamerica.com anytime. The end of the year is almost here—what are you waiting for?

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2014 IFTA Renewal Deadline Nears

The 2014 IFTA Renewal deadline is almost here.  The renewal process varies from state to state with some states offering online renewal and others require electronic renewals, while others renew IFTA licenses automatically as long as the carrier is current with quarterly filings and any monies due.  Some states require that all paperwork be received in the office BEFORE the December 31st deadline, to allow enough time to process the paperwork by the deadline.

Your IFTA license will not be renewed if your account is not in good standing.  What that means is you are current with your Quarterly IFTA filing and no money is due.  If you missed any quarterly filing, you will want to file immediately so your IFTA license will be renewed.

If you do not receive renewal papers in the mail, it does not mean you do not have to renew.  You are still responsible to renew your IFTA license by the December 31st deadline.  Carriers renewing their IFTA license and decals have a two-month grace period (January and February) to display the renewal IFTA license and decals. The two month grace period is for display of renewal credentials, and does NOT apply to submitting renewal application for those credentials. Your renewal application must be submitted by the deadline to be considered on time. Renew your IFTA license on time to avoid possible penalties.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist with renewing your IFTA.  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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TSNA Can Prepare Your 4th Quarter IFTA

We are almost midway through November, which is the half way through the 4th  IFTA Quarter.  The deadline to file your 4th Quarter IFTA return is January 31, 2014.  Good record keeping now helps you avoid rushing around at the last minute.

What is Required?

The following information is required on the IFTA quarterly tax return:

• Total miles, taxable and nontaxable, traveled by the licensee’s qualified motor vehicles in all jurisdictions, IFTA and non-IFTA, including trip permit miles;
• Total gallons of fuel consumed, taxable and nontaxable, by the licensee’s qualified motor vehicles in all jurisdictions, IFTA and non-IFTA;
• Total miles and taxable miles traveled in each member jurisdiction;
• Taxable gallons consumed in each member jurisdiction;
• Tax-paid gallons purchased in each member jurisdiction; and
• Current Tax Rates for each member jurisdiction.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can set up your IFTA accounts and file your Quarterly IFTA Taxes for you.  You just send us copies of your trip sheets and fuel receipts and we handle the rest! 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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Tips To Help You Prepare 4th Quarter IFTA

IFTA is the International Fuel Tax Agreement and is a tax collection agreement by and among the 48 contiguous States and the 10 Canadian Provinces bordering the US, in which motor fuels use taxation laws are uniform with respect to qualified motor vehicles operated in more than one member jurisdiction.

Who Must File?

An interstate motor carrier operating "qualified motor vehicles" between at least 2 member jurisdictions (The 48 contiguous states of the US and 10 Canadian provinces) must have an international fuel tax agreement (IFTA) license and decals issued by their base jurisdiction.

Qualified motor vehicle means a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles used, designed, or maintained for the transportation of persons or property having:

• Two axles and a gross vehicle weight exceeding 26,000 pounds;  
• Two axles and a registered weight exceeding 26,000 pounds; 
• Three or more axles regardless of weight; or 
• A combination weight exceeding 26,000 pounds

Recreational vehicles are exempt from IFTA fuel tax reporting.

Base jurisdiction means the member jurisdiction where: 

• Qualified motor vehicles are based for vehicle registration purposes; 

• Operational control and operational records of the licensee’s qualified motor vehicles are maintained or can be made available in case of an audit; and

• Some mileage is accrued by qualified motor vehicles within the fleet traveling through that jurisdiction

If you have the IFTA license, you must file the Quarterly IFTA tax return to your base jurisdiction, even if the licensee does not operate or purchase any taxable fuel in an IFTA member jurisdiction during the specific quarter. You will need to separate your mileage and fuel records for each fuel type. December 31, 2013 will mark the end of the 4th Quarter for IFTA and the deadline to file your return is January 31, 2014. If you operate in New York, Kentucky or New Mexico you will also need to file a Weight Distance Tax Return, in each state and that deadline is also January 31st.

What you need:

1. Mileage log-whether you use manual trip sheets, GPS, or electronic trip sheets; it is not only necessary to have in order to file your quarterly IFTA, but you will need these if you are ever audited.
2. Fuel Receipts-you will need to know how many gallons of fuel were purchased in each state.

Options to prepare and file your return:

1. Do it yourself, you can calculate your own return by hand and mail or e-file the return. To find out the current tax rate for each state go to www.iftach.org.
2. Use a software program that will calculate your return for you, like ExpressIFTA.com, which will reduce the chances of miscalculations.
3. Use Truck Services of North America and let us take care of preparing and filing the return for you.

Regardless of the method you choose to file your quarterly tax returns, it is crucial to maintain accurate records and file your returns on time to avoid fines and penalties.

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. 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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Prepare Now For 1st Quarter IFTA Filing

If you have an IFTA license, you must file the Quarterly IFTA tax return to your base jurisdiction, even if you did not operate or purchase any taxable fuel in an IFTA member jurisdiction during the specific quarter. You will need to separate your mileage and fuel records for each fuel type.  March 31, 2013 is the end of the 1st Quarter for IFTA and the deadline to file your return is April 30, 2013.

What you need: 

1. Mileage log-whether you use manual trip sheets, GPS, or electronic trip sheets; it is not only necessary to have in order to file your quarterly IFTA, but you will need these if you are ever audited.
2. Fuel Receipts-you will need to know how many gallons of fuel were purchased in each state.

In addition to IFTA, if you travel in Kentucky, New York, New Mexico or Oregon you will also need to file a Weight Distance Tax Return, in each state and that deadline is also April 30, 2013.

New York Highway Use Tax (NYHUT) 

• Carriers operating certain commercial motor vehicles that weigh 18,000 lbs or greater in New York are required to register and obtain NYHUT tax credentials. Once a NYHUT account has been established, carriers must file and pay mileage tax on a quarterly basis. 

Kentucky Use Tax (KYU Number)

• All commercial motor vehicles (except buses) with a gross weight of 60,000 lbs and over traveling into or through Kentucky must be registered with the state. Carriers with an active KYU Number are then required to file a quarterly return and pay mileage taxes to Kentucky. New qualifying vehicles must be listed with Kentucky prior to the vehicle entering the state. Temporary permits are also available.

New Mexico Weight Distance Tax 

• All commercial motor vehicles with a gross weight in excess of 26,000 lbs. must be registered with the state before traveling into or through New Mexico. Entrance can be paid at the port if not registered; however, it is not cost effective to pay at the port unless you travel through New Mexico only once or twice per year. Once a Weight Distance Tax account in New Mexico is established quarterly reports must be filed and mileage tax paid.

Oregon Weight-Mile Tax

• All commercial carriers with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,001 lbs. must obtain a temporary or annual permit to travel into or through Oregon. Oregon does not belong to the International Fuel Tax Agreement; however, a proper tax permit must be obtained before entering this state. Heavy fines are imposed on carriers entering into Oregon without the proper credentials.
• Oregon requires all new entrants to become bonded before permanent credentials are issued. Bonds may be placed by a Surety Company or posted with cash. The size of your fleet will determine the amount of the bond required.   

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist with your IFTA,  NY HUT, KYU, New Mexico and Oregon Weight Distance Taxes.  TSNA takes the paperwork out of you.  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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4th Quarter IFTA Returns Due Next Week

Reminder that all 4th Quarter IFTA Returns are due next Thursday, January 31, 2013. The International Fuel Tax Agreement (or 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. This simplifies the process of reporting quarterly fuel tax returns.

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.

The IFTA license offers several benefits to the interstate/inter-jurisdictional motor carrier. These benefits include one license, one set of decals per vehicle, one quarterly fuel tax report for all vehicles that reflects the net tax or refund due. Tax returns are required even if no operations were conducted or no taxable fuel was used during the reporting period. Returns that are not filed or not paid in full are considered late and will be assessed penalty and interest.

When filing a tax return, a licensee may apply the fuel overpayment generated in one jurisdiction to the taxes owed for another jurisdiction. These advantages result in cost and time savings for the carrier and the member jurisdictions.

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. So don’t delay in filing your 4th Quarter IFTA return by the January 31st deadline.  At Truck Services of North America, we make it even simpler by preparing and filing your quarterly returns for you. TSNA takes the paperwork out of your way.  Contact us at TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

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Get Prepared For 4th Quarter IFTA Filing

If you have the IFTA license, you must file the Quarterly IFTA tax return to your base jurisdiction, even if the licensee does not operate or purchase any taxable fuel in an IFTA member jurisdiction during the specific quarter. You will need to separate your mileage and fuel records for each fuel type.  December 31, 2012 is the end of the 4th Quarter for IFTA and the deadline to file your return is January 31, 2013.

What you need:

1. Mileage log-whether you use manual trip sheets, GPS, or electronic trip sheets; it is not only necessary to have in order to file your quarterly IFTA, but you will need these if you are ever audited.
2. Fuel Receipts-you will need to know how many gallons of fuel were purchased in each state.

In addition to IFTA, if you travel in Kentucky, New York, New Mexico or Oregon you will also need to file a Weight Distance Tax Return, in each state and that deadline is also January 31, 2013.

New York Highway Use Tax (NYHUT) 

• Carriers operating certain commercial motor vehicles that weigh 18,000 lbs or greater in New York are required to register and obtain NYHUT tax credentials. Once a NYHUT account has been established, carriers must file and pay mileage tax on a quarterly basis.  

Kentucky Use Tax (KYU Number) 

• All commercial motor vehicles (except buses) with a gross weight of 60,000 lbs and over traveling into or through Kentucky must be registered with the state. Carriers with an active KYU Number are then required to file a quarterly return and pay mileage taxes to Kentucky. New qualifying vehicles must be listed with Kentucky prior to the vehicle entering the state. Temporary permits are also available.

New Mexico Weight Distance Tax 

• All commercial motor vehicles with a gross weight in excess of 26,000 lbs. must be registered with the state before traveling into or through New Mexico. Entrance can be paid at the port if not registered; however, it is not cost effective to pay at the port unless you travel through New Mexico only once or twice per year. Once a Weight Distance Tax account in New Mexico is established quarterly reports must be filed and mileage tax paid.

Oregon Weight-Mile Tax 

• All commercial carriers with a gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,001 lbs. must obtain a temporary or annual permit to travel into or through Oregon. Oregon does not belong to the International Fuel Tax Agreement; however, a proper tax permit must be obtained before entering this state. Heavy fines are imposed on carriers entering into Oregon without the proper credentials.
• Oregon requires all new entrants to become bonded before permanent credentials are issued. Bonds may be placed by a Surety Company or posted with cash. The size of your fleet will determine the amount of the bond required.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can assist with your your IFTA, NY HUT, KYU, New Mexico and Oregon Weight Distance Taxes.  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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