Biennial USDOT Update Notice from FMCSA

On October 2, 2013 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sent emails out to carriers encouraging them to update their information.  Under the new Unified Registration System (URS) regulation, carriers are required to update their information every 2 years.  This is required even if no information has changed, interstate operations has ceased since last update or you are no longer in business and have not notified the FMCSA.

Failure to complete a Biennial Update may result in deactivation of your USDOT number and civil penalties of up to $1,000 per day, not to exceed $10,000.

Your Biennial Update filing date is determined by the last 2 digits of your USDOT number. If the second to last digit is odd, you are required to update every odd year; if it is even you are required to update every even year.  The last digit determines the month according to table below:

If Number Is:	Must File By Last Day Of:
1	January
2	February
3	March
4	April
5	May
6	June
7	July
8	August
9	September
0	October

Find answers to common URS Biennial Update FAQ’s here.

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can update your DOT for you.  We even send out reminders when it’s time for the biennial update, so you will never incur penalties or deactivation of your USDOT. 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.

Read More »

Trucking Industry: 2013 Top Issues

In October 2013, American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), released a report presenting the 2013 top issues in the trucking industry.

The new HOS regulations that went into effect in 2013 created the biggest concern in the industry, followed by CSA, driver shortage, economy, the electronic logging device mandate, truck parking, driver retention, fuel supply/fuel prices, infrastructure/congestion/funding and driver health and wellness.

You can see from the chart above, that hours-of-service and CSA account for over half the concerns within the industry.  In addition to identifying the top issues, the study also addressed proposed strategies for each issue.

See our blog next week to see what those strategies are or go to http://atri-online.org/ to order your copy of the ATRI’s 2013 Top Industry Issue Report.

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 other services, contact us at TSNAmerica.com, email support@TSNAmerica.com or call 803.386.0320.

Read More »

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.

Read More »

3rd Quarter Oregon Weight-Mile Tax Due November 30th

For motor carriers operating commercial vehicles on Oregon public highways, with a gross weight in excess of 26,000 lbs, they are required by the Oregon Department of Transportation to have a Weight Receipts and Tax Identifier, or Receipt. The Oregon Motor Carrier Transportation Division issues these credentials and you are required to file a tax return regardless if you owe any tax or not.

You must cancel your Weight Receipt if you will no longer be operating in Oregon.  

You must report mileage tax on a monthly basis during your first year, after which you may request to pay on a quarterly basis.  While paying on a monthly basis, the report and payment must 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.

If you are reporting on a quarterly basis, your 3rd quarter return for July - September is due November 30th.  The quarterly due dates are as follows:

January – March	May 31
April – June	August 31
July – September	November 30
October – December	February 28

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.

Read More »

What Is An EIN?

An EIN is an Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and can be used to verify a business entity. An EIN is usually required in order to file a tax return for a business. If you are filing Form 2290 for Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT), you must have an EIN to file the return. The IRS no longer accepts Social Security Numbers for the Form 2290.

If you need to file Form 2290 for vehicles first used in October the due date to file is November 30, 2013. If you do not have an EIN, Truck Services of North America take care of it for you. We will be able to get your EIN immediately, but it may take the IRS up to 10 business days to update your new EINs into their system; so you will want to get your EIN today!

 

As a premier processing agency, Truck Services of North America can get your EIN and file your Form 2290 Heavy Highway Use Tax 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.

Read More »

2014 IFTA Renewal Reminder

The IFTA license is renewed annually and the deadline to renew is December 31, 2013.  Some states mail renewal papers out, but be aware that other states no longer mail out renewal papers.  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 also require that all paperwork be received in the office BEFORE the December 31st deadline, to allow enough time to process the paperwork, by December 31st.

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, not to file your renewal application for those credentials. 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.

Read More »

FMCSA Plans To Implement changes For Veterans

On Friday, November 8, 2013 the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced plans to implement regulatory changes to ease the transition of military personnel and veterans after the release of a study conducted by Congress in the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 Century Act (MAP-21).

The proposed changes include extending the period of time from 90 days to one year for the Military Skills Test Waiver, allowing service members trained and employed in the operation of heavy vehicles to immediately qualify for a CDL while still on active duty and allowing service members licensed in one state, but stationed in another to obtain a CDL before being discharged.

These changes will help veterans to obtain their CDLs making it easier to find transportation jobs, which are expected to grow by more than 17% from 2010 to 2020.

See full details on the FMCSA’s website.

We want the thank all the veterans out there for their service to our country.

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.

Read More »

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.

Read More »

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.

Read More »