Maintain Your Operating Authority: Are You Forgetting Something?

So you’ve managed to obtain your operating authority- which is no easy task!

But now comes the even trickier part of ensuring that your authority is maintained correctly.

With “maintenance” tasks required on a quarterly, annual, and biennial basis, it’s easy to forget one or more of the filings that are required for you to continue operating. But unfortunately, forgetting isn’t an option when your livelihood is at stake.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to file- and when- for you to maintain your interstate operating authority like the pro that you are.

Basic Authority Maintenance

• USDOT # Biennial Update: Your DOT# must be updated every two years in order to remain active. To update, simply provide the FMCSA with your current contact info, even if it hasn’t changed. The deadline for your biennial update is determined by the last digit of your DOT # which corresponds to a particular month. For example, numbers ending in 9 must be updated every other year in September. Not sure what your digit means? We can tell you what year/month your update it due and help you avoid penalties or deactivation. 

• Change in Operation or Cargo: If your operation changes in any way, or if you start carrying a different type of cargo, you may need to apply for another authority in addition to your MC#. TSNA can apply for your FF or MX numbers as needed and help ensure uninterrupted operation.

• Change in Contact Info: If your contact information changes, even slightly, you must immediately notify the FMCSA, as well as your BOC-3 blanket agent. This is to ensure that you can be contacted immediately in the event that your business is served legal papers. 

Annual Renewals

• UCR, IRP & IFTA Renewals: All three licenses must be renewed annually, usually by December 31st. IRP renewals, however, may be due at the end of another quarter depending on regulations in your base state. Check with TSNAmerica to see if you have a staggered deadline. 

• State Use Tax Licenses: If you’re subject to an additional state use tax, then these licenses must also be renewed annually. For example, the Kentucky Use Tax can only be paid if you first have a KYU Number, and the Oregon Weight Weight-Mile Tax can only be filed with a current Weight Receipt. 

• HVUT: Heavy vehicle use tax must also be paid each year. The HVUT tax year opens July 1st, and Form 2290 is due by the end of July for all renewals. It is important to file your Form 2290 on time, even if no tax is owed. The stamped Schedule 1 (your receipt for filing) is required for tag renewals. TSNAmerica can file your 2290 over the phone, same day! Just one more way we go above and beyond to accommodate your busy schedule!

• Recordkeeping: As always, proper recordkeeping is vital to remaining compliant. Failure to maintain records could result in penalties, so be sure you’re updating your distance and fuel records daily. 

Quarterly Tax Filings

• IFTA Returns: In addition to renewing your IFTA license annually, mileage and fuel use reports by jurisdiction must be submitted each quarter at the end of January, April, July & October. Any fuel taxes owed must be paid at the time of filing. 

• State Use Tax Returns: Like IFTA, state use taxes also require quarterly mileage/fuel use reports. If you operate in Kentucky, New York, New Mexico, or Oregon, then you are subject to a quarterly tax based on the miles accrued in that state. 

• Quarterly Recordkeeping: For all of these quarterly taxes, proper recordkeeping is essential. Submitting inaccurate or incomplete distance and fuel records will only result in paying more taxes, and it can even result in being audited, paying penalties, and in the worst case scenario, your license being revoked. All original documents, receipts, and trip sheets should be kept in your base jurisdiction for at least 4 years after the close of the quarter. 

It’s easy to get overwhelmed when your paperwork outnumbers you 20 to 1. Level the playing field by making TSNAmerica your ally.

When you become a TSNAmerica client, you’re our client for life. We won’t register your MC# and then leave you to figure how to maintain your authority all by yourself. We go the extra mile to remind you about upcoming deadlines and to lend you a helping hand when you need it most.

In fact, we can file all of the above and then some! No matter what your business needs, chances are we have a service to cover it. To view all of our service packages, head over to tsnamerica.com, or to speak with one of our processing professionals, just call us directly at 803.386.0320. We look forward to being your partner!

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Obtain Your Operating Authority: Follow this Checklist

Are you ready and rarin’ to hit the open road?

If starting a transportation company is what you fancy, then you’ve come to the right place!

To obtain your interstate or intrastate operating authority, make sure you have everything on this list covered, and then nothing will be holding you back.

USDOT#

Issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the USDOT# serves as your vehicle’s identification for compliance reviews and more. 

The DOT# is required for your vehicles if 1. You operate interstate (across state and international lines), 2. You transport passengers or cargo, and 3. Your vehicle has a total gross or combined weight of 10,000 lbs or more. If you meet all 3 of these criteria, you must register with the FMCSA and obtain a DOT#.

There are exceptions, however. Many states now require intrastate carriers to also have DOT#’s, especially if you transport hazmat.

MC#

Also granted by the FMCSA, the MC# is the authority issued to interstate for-hire carriers. Additional authorities (FF or MX numbers) may need to be obtained depending on your business’s operations and cargo. TSNAmerica can help you determine which authority is needed for your business.

BOC-3

The blanket of coverage, known as BOC-3, must be filed with the FMCSA before your MC# will be activated. The BOC-3 designates process agents in all states that your business operates, and these process agents accept legal papers in your absence. TSNAmerica is an FMCSA registered blanket agent, so we can file your BOC-3 directly with the FMCSA, same day. No third party involvement.

UCR

The Unified Carrier Registration is a federally-mandated, state-administered program for the registration of interstate carriers in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Like the DOT#, UCR is required for vehicles weighing 10,001 lbs or more. This license must be renewed annually, and businesses will be charged an annual fee based on the number of vehicles they own or lease long-term.

IRP

The International Registration Plan is required for all interstate carriers with vehicles weighing over 26,000 lbs or with 3 or more axles. IRP licenses must be renewed each year, but the deadlines vary by state and are often staggered based on the month in which you first registered. If you aren’t sure when your renewal is due, just give us a quick call and we can help you sort it out.

IFTA

The International Fuel Tax Agreement is required for all interstate carriers with vehicles that weigh over 26,000 lbs or have 3 or more axles. Not only must this license be renewed annually, but registrants are required to submit quarterly reports of their mileage and fuel use broken down by state. Any fuel tax owed must also be submitted at the time of filing. To determine which state is your base jurisdiction and for tips on proper IFTA recordkeeping, just ask TSNAmerica for assistance.

HVUT

Heavy vehicle use tax is an annual federal tax levied on commercial vehicles that weigh 55,000 lbs or more and that travel at least 5,000 miles on public highways throughout the year. Whether you’re an interstate or intrastate carrier, you must pay your annual HVUT if your vehicle meets the criteria above. After filing, you’ll receive a stamped Schedule 1 as confirmation. This is one piece of paper you want to keep on hand as a current stamped Schedule 1 is required to renew your tags, renew UCR, and more.

To pay your HVUT, you can either E-file your Form 2290 or have TSNAmerica do it for you! We can even file your HVUT over the phone by just collecting a few key pieces of information.

Intrastate Authority

If you stay entirely within the boundaries of your state (intrastate only), then most of the above will not apply to you, except for the DOT#. Many states now require DOT#’s for intrastate for-hire carriers.

It’s also possible that your state has an additional state use tax: New York, Oregon, Kentucky, and New Mexico all do. We can help you register for this state tax and keep up with the quarterly and annual filings. 

Once you make it through the hurdles of initially obtaining your authority, then comes the work of maintaining your authority correctly. The USDOT# must be updated biennially, IFTA and UCR registrations renewed annually, and IFTA reports filed quarterly.

That’s why at Truck Services of North America our mission is to stay with your business for the long haul. We won’t just set up your authority and leave you to figure the rest out. We stick with you and ensure that your business remains up-to-date on all registrations, permits, and taxes.

To see how we can help you establish and maintain your business, view our service packages at tsnamerica.com. Then call us at our headquarters in Rock Hill, SC at 803.386.0320 or shoot us an email at support@tsnamerica.com.

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BOC-3 Filings: What You Need to Know Before You File Yourself

UCR, IFTA, IRP, MC#, DOT#–the list goes on and on!

Obtaining your operating authority requires filing all of the above and more, making this task a time-consuming nightmare for new transportation companies.

But nothing is more arduous than filing your own BOC-3.

The BOC-3, or blanket of coverage, is also required to obtain your interstate operating authority, and it is typically filed immediately after your MC# is issued.

Submitted to the FMCSA, the BOC-3 filing is used to designate process agents in each state your business operates in or through.

Each process agent serves as your legal representative in that state and accepts all legal documents or court papers that may be served to your business. The agent, in turn, sends those documents to you, and if the agent is a lawyer, they may advise you on how to proceed appropriately and according to laws in that state.

Ways to File your BOC-3

Here’s where it gets tricky! Should you decide to file the BOC-3 on your own, you must obtain the contact information and consent for an agent in each state you operate in. Moreover, the agent cannot be just anyone. For example, the agent must reside in the state for which s/he is designated. It’s also best that the agent be a lawyer for the reason stated above. For more information on who can serve as an agent, check the FMCSA regulation 49 CFR 366.

Alternatively, you can have a processing agent file your BOC-3 for you. But be cautious when choosing your processing service. The agent must be registered with the FMCSA as a BOC-3 blanket agent. This means they have already leased the services of an agent in all states, which is itself a difficult task that many agents have not completed. Moreover, many processing services will take 3-7 days to complete your BOC-3, which means your MC# will not be activated and you cannot operate.

Change Happens

• Changes in designation can only be made by filing a new BOC-3 with the FMCSA. If you have an existing BOC-3, but would like to alter one of your designations.
• If any of your contact information changes, even slightly, you are legally obligated to notify your blanket agent. This is to ensure that any legal documents served to your business can be promptly delivered. Just give us a quick phone call if you need to update your contact info, and we’ll get you squared away immediately. 

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January 31st Deadline is Here: HVUT, IFTA, KYU & More State Taxes Due

The first major deadline of the year is upon us! Saturday, January 31st marks a whole host of tax-filing deadlines for transportation businesses. If you’re strapped for time, TSNAmerica has services that can help you file efficiently and keep your focus where it belongs, on the road.

• Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: If you have a heavy vehicle that was first purchased or put in use anytime during December 2014, then 01/31 is the deadline for you to file your HVUT Form 2290. After filing your 2290, you will receive the stamped Schedule 1, which is required for renewing your tags, IRP registration, and more. To file on-time, you can use an online E-filing service like ExpressTruckTax, or you can have TSNAmerica file over the phone! We can complete your 2290 same day with just a short phone call to gather your info. 

• 4th Quarter IFTA Returns: Saturday is the filing deadline to report your operations from October through December of 2014. This means you’ll need all completed trip sheets with your mileage per jurisdiction, fuel purchases & fuel use per jurisdiction, as well as original fuel receipts. Personal and unloaded miles must be reported. And even if you didn’t operate this quarter, you must still file a Zero Return if you hold an IFTA license. Don’t forget that after you file, you must still retain all original documents and receipts in your base jurisdiction for at least 12 more quarters. TSNAmerica can prepare your return based on your trip sheets, but we file on a first come, first served basis, so don’t wait another second to give us a call!

• Additional State Use Taxes: 4th Quarter Tax reportings for several state use taxes are also due this week. If you operate in Kentucky, New Mexico, or New York, then more than likely, you will need to file these state use taxes by the 31st. You will also need to obtain a tax license before filing this tax, such as the KYU Number for Kentucky or the NM Tax Permit for New Mexico. But that’s not all! Oregon Weight-Mile filings are due for those on a quarterly mileage fee basis. Your fee basis is determined by your vehicle’s weight and load contents. If you’re unsure of yours, check with the ODOT. And remember, a weight receipt must be obtained before you can operate and file the Oregon Weight-Mile tax, and this receipt must be renewed annually. 

If you need to file one or more of these taxes before the deadline, contact TSNAmerica to find out how we can help. Or visit tsnamerica.com.

We have a wide array of services to meet all of your business’s filing needs. Our mission is to take the paperwork out of your way and make running your business as stress-free as possible. To start saving time and saving your sanity, simply call us at 803.386.0320, and one our happy helpers will get you started today.

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4th Quarter Deadlines Rapidly Approaching: IFTA & State Use Taxes Due Jan. 31st

There’s just 1 week left to prepare and submit your 4th Quarter IFTA and State Use Tax Returns.

Before you frantically start trying to complete your returns, check out these last minute filing tips. It’s everything you need to know to get it done fast and right–the first time.

IFTA

• Zero Returns: IFTA license holders must file a quarterly return even if they didn’t operate or make any taxable fuel purchases this quarter. If this is the case, then you must file what’s called a “Zero Return.” This means you’ll enter “0” when filing. For questions or advice on completing your Zero Return, just call TSNAmerica.
• Documents you’ll need to file: Completed Trip Sheets from October-December of 2014. These trip sheets should include fuel use and purchase information, along with your mileage per jurisdiction. Be sure to keep all original documentation, like fuel receipts, for at least 3 years after the return is submitted.
• Red Flags: There are several common filing mistakes that trigger IFTA audits. One such mistake occurs when your end of day location doesn’t match your location at the beginning of the next day. This is known as a Gap in Mileage, and this errors most often occurs when drivers forget to record their personal mileage at the end of the day. For more tips on avoiding IFTA audits, check out this blog or ask your friends at TSNAmerica for help.
• Filing Options: 1.) DIY: Calculate the tax owed and complete the form yourself. 2.) Use a program like ExpressIFTA to complete your return. It performs the calculations for you, reducing the risk of errors and making the process quicker. 3.) Have Truck Services of North America prepare your return. We not only check for errors and red flags for auditors, we submit the return directly to your state department. Simply send us your completed trip sheets, and we’ll take it from there!
• Penalties: The penalty for late filing or late payment of fuel taxes is $50 or .4167% of the net tax owed, whichever is greater. Interest also accrues on the tax owed at a rate of 1% per month. If you file late, it’s best to submit your return as soon after the deadline as possible!
• Grace Period Ending: Don’t forget that the grace period for displaying your 2015 IFTA credentials expires at the end of February. If you still haven’t filed your IFTA registration renewal, TSNAmerica can help get your account back in good standing faster. 

State Use Taxes

For these state use taxes, the reporting quarters and deadlines are the same as IFTA.

• KYU: The Kentucky Use Tax applies to all vehicles traveling through Kentucky that have a combined gross weight or licensed weight over 59,999 pounds. Before a vehicle of this weight can enter the state (farm vehicles and buses excluded), it must register with the state and obtain a KYU Number. Once you have your KYU Number, you must file quarterly reports and pay tax based on your mileage in the state. Whether you need a KYU License Number or to file a return, rest assured that we can get it done.
• New Mexico Weight-Distance: Vehicles traversing NM roads with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 lbs must file this quarterly tax, which is based on the weight of the vehicle and the number of miles driven. Similar to KYU, a NM Tax Permit must first be acquired before you can file this tax, and this permit must be renewed annually.
• NY HUT: The New York Highway Use Tax is applicable to commercial carriers that travel on NY Highways (toll roads excluded) with a combined gross weight over 18,000 lbs. This tax also applies to unloaded trucks weighing over 8,000 lbs or unloaded tractors weighing over 4,000 lbs. Before you can operate in this state, you must register and obtain decals to display in your cab. The registration fee is $15, and the decal fee is $4. 

If you have questions about filing your return, or would like for us to handle it for you, give us a call at 803.386.0320 or send us an email at support@tsnamerica.com. We’re multi-talented, so we can file all of the above for you, and then some.

To see our array of services, check out tsnamerica.com, then send us a Service Request Form and let us know which services you’re interested in. Don’t see a service you’re interested in? Let us know, and we’ll see if we can accommodate you. It’s our goal to make your life easier.

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USDOT & MC Numbers: Details on Biennial Updates & Maintaining Your Operating Authority

We’ve been getting quite a few questions here at TSNAmerica, questions regarding DOT & MC

numbers.

Do you need one– the other– or both? And what are they used for?

Well today, we’ll make some sense of the FMCSA’s requirements for DOT & MC numbers, and we’ll cover the part that people most often forget: required biennial updates.

USDOT #

• The USDOT Number serves as your vehicle’s identification during inspections, compliance reviews, and more.
• The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) requires most interstate vehicles that haul cargo or passengers to obtain a DOT#.
• Are you required to have a DOT#? Here are the specific requirements for interstate vehicles: 1. Your vehicle has a gross or combined weight of 10,001 lbs or more. 2. Your vehicle transports 8 or more passengers for compensation. 3. Your vehicle transports 15 or more passengers not for compensation. 4. You transport hazardous materials.
• If you travel intrastate only, you will still be required to obtain a DOT# if you transport hazardous materials or if you are based in one of the 33 states that requires DOT#’s for all commercial carriers. Here’s a list of the states that currently require DOT#’s:
  
  
  Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
• When you first obtain your DOT#, you will be issued a PIN. Keep this information safe as you will need it to update your information with the FMCSA.
• If you lose your PIN, TSNAmerica can retrieve it for you. The fastest way for us to retrieve it is via the email you have on file with the FMCSA. Postal mail retrieval will take 7-10 business days, so it’s important to provide the FMCSA with an email address you will have long-term access to for situations like these. Either way, we can get the job done and get you back on track.

Biennial Updates

• All DOT#’s must be updated with the FMCSA biennially (every 2 years) in order to remain active. 
• Even if your business or vehicle information has not changed, you are still required to update.
• If you fail to update your DOT# information, the FMCSA may deactivate your DOT# or may even levy steep penalties against you. 
• The deadline for you to update is determined by the last digit in your DOT#. Each digit corresponds to the month in which you should update. For example, DOT#’s ending in 9 must be updated in September every other year. 
• For information about when your update is due, or for help filing your update, just call TSNAmerica!

MC #

• Now for the tricky part! So you have a DOT#...but do you also need an MC#?
• The MC#, also issued through the FMCSA, grants you your interstate operating authority. The type of authority you must obtain is determined by your business operations and the kind of cargo you carry. Some businesses may need more than one. In this case, the MC# is the type of authority required for for-hire carriers. 
• TSNAmerica can help you determine which kinds of authority you need to obtain in addition to your DOT#. 
• Private carriers are not required to obtain an MC#.

But Wait, There's More...

• To be issued an MC#, you will need to have a BOC-3 processing agent on file with the FMCSA. The BOC-3 agent is the designated person or office that will receive legal documents on your behalf in each state.
• Now there’s good news, and there’s bad news. The bad news is this: if you choose to do complete the BOC-3 on your own, you will need to seek out a processing agent for every single state you operate in. That’s a lot of work! Here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it!
• TSNAmerica is an FMCSA-registered Blanket Agent, meaning we already have the contacts in every state that you need. We can file your BOC-3 for you, same day! No waiting, no third party involvement. Just immediate results. 
• Just one last thing! Once you receive your MC#, it will not be active until you provide the FMCSA with your insurance information. To activate your MC#, have your insurance company E-file for the correct amount of coverage that is required for your operation. Then you’re ready to roll!

Knowledge is the first step. As a business owner, it’s important to understand the requirements specific to your business.

Truck Services of North America is the second step. We don’t only know the requirements, we also know how to meet them in a timely fashion.

That’s why we have service packages to cover all of the above and more! No matter what your business needs, we can file it for you fast. From obtaining your operating authority, to BOC-3, and even quarterly IFTA filings or HVUT, Truck Services of North America can handle it for you and give you peace of mind that it was done right the first time.

Head over to tsnamerica.com and view our time-saving services. Then send us a Service Request form, call us at 803.386.0320, or email us at support@tsnamerica.com. One of our happy helpers at our headquarters in Rock Hill, SC, is ready to help make your life easier!

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4th Quarter Filing Period Opens: Time for IFTA, KYU, NY HUT & More

It’s hard to believe it’s already 2015! Around the TSNAmerica office, 2014 went by in a flash. And things don’t seem to be slowing down either.

As quickly as January arrived, it will disappear–especially when there are several quarterly tax filings due on January 31st!

As they say, time flies when you have taxes to file! Which means time will be speeding up for truckers everywhere. After all, New Year is a time for endings and beginnings. And in this case, the Renewal Season is ending, and the 4th Quarter Tax Filings are just around the bend!

As many of you know, 4th Quarter IFTA filings are due January 31st for all interstate truckers–but what about the states with additional highway use taxes, namely Kentucky, New Mexico, and New York. Do you need to file these state taxes along with IFTA? Let’s find out!

KYU: Kentucky Use Tax

This state use tax is required for all vehicles traveling through Kentucky that have a combined gross weight or licensed weight over 59,999 pounds. Farm-licensed vehicles are an exception.

A KYU license number must be obtained before you can file the quarterly tax. And don’t forget to keep accurate fuel and distance records as this tax is determined by your mileage.

New Mexico Weight-Distance Tax

The New Mexico Weight-Distance Tax is levied on heavy vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 26,000 lbs. Filed quarterly, this tax is graduated based on both the weight of the vehicle and the number of miles traveled on New Mexico roads.

In order to file, a new Tax Permit must be acquired from the NM MVD each year. If you still haven’t applied for your new permit, let us know and we can get it for you fast.

NY HUT: New York Highway Use Tax

This tax applies to all vehicles traveling on New York highways with a combined gross weight over 18,000 lbs. Use tax is also applied to unloaded trucks weighing over 8,000 lbs and unloaded tractors weighing over 4,000 lbs.

While the tax is based on the weight of the vehicle and the miles traveled on NY highways, miles accrued on toll-paid portions of the New York State Thruway are not taxable. If you only plan to travel in New York a few times this year, you may obtain trip permits instead of registering with NY HUT. Call TSNAmerica and find out what the best option for you business is.

IFTA

License holders with the International Fuel Tax Agreement must submit mileage and fuel use reports to their base jurisdiction every quarter. Any unpaid fuel taxes are due at the time of filing. Also, remember that the IFTA renewal grace period extends through January and February of 2015. This grace period applies to the display of current credentials only. Once the grace period runs out, you must have your new 2015 credentials displayed in your truck or face penalties.

If you are preparing your own IFTA return, be sure to follow these Tips for Avoiding an IFTA Audit. Or you can have TSNAmerica file for you, and we’ll ensure that you don’t make those mistakes! We’ll even submit it directly to your state department.

HVUT: Bonus Item!

For vehicles with a first-used month of December 2014, the due date to file your heavy vehicle use tax is January 31st. This means that if the vehicle was purchased or first put on the road anytime during December, you must file by the end of January. Truck Services of North America can not only file your HVUT for you, we can do it same day & over the phone!

To ensure you stay on top of quarterly filings throughout the year, mark these important dates on your calendar or set reminders on your smartphone. Remember, it’s never wise to wait until the last minute, even when you have professionals filing for you!

• 1st Quarter: January-March
  Due: April 30
• 2nd Quarter: April-June
  Due: July 31
• 3rd Quarter: July-September
  Due: October 31
• 4th Quarter:October-December
  Due: January 31

It’s not too early to start preparing your quarterly taxes! We file on a first come, first served basis, so call Truck Services of North America today to reserve your place in line. We’re available at 803.386.0320, on live chat, or by email at support@tsnamerica.com.

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New Year's Checklist: Everything Your Business Needs To Start 2015 Strong!

You know that gnawing feeling, when you just know that you’ve forgotten something, but you don’t know what?

It’s not a pleasant feeling to have, particularly when it involves your business. Maintaining your own operating authority, or that of multiple trucks in a fleet, is no small task.

With numerous taxes, registrations, and renewals to file continually throughout the year, it’s pretty easy to overlook something!

That’s why your friends at Truck Services of North America have made a list! (Yes, we checked it twice…) It’s everything your business needs to start 2015 out strong!

Many items on this Checklist are due by tomorrow 12/31. While it may be too late to get it submitted on time, it’s not too late for damage control! Minimize penalties by getting on top of it today.

TSNAmerica can help get you back on track, whether you’re behind on quarterly IFTA filings, or you need temporary fuel permits to cover a gap. Let’s dive in to our ultimate 2015 New Year’s Checklist!

1. IFTA License Renewals- Due 12/31

• IFTA license renewals are due in all states tomorrow. If you’re an interstate carrier with a vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds or with 3 or more axles, then you are required to carry a valid IFTA license and display credentials in the cab of each vehicle. 
• If you submitted your renewal application on time, then your vehicles will be covered under the grace period for the display of new credentials throughout Jan. & Feb. of 2015–but only as long as your 2014 credentials are still displayed. 
• If you did not submit your renewal application on time, or if you have outstanding returns to be filed or taxes owed, then you must obtain temporary permits for each state your intend to travel through until your valid 2015 credentials arrive.

2. UCR Renewals- Due 12/31

• Also required for all interstate carriers with commercial vehicles weighing at least 10,001 pounds, the Unified Carrier Registration renewal is due by tomorrow. 
• The renewal fees will be based on the number of vehicles in your fleet. Unlike IFTA, you will not be required to display credentials on your vehicle. 
• If your business headquarters has moved, now is the time to change your UCR base state. Advanced notice must be given to your current state. Call TSNAmerica for help with the transition!

3. IRP Renewals- Due 12/31

• Following the same requirements as IFTA, the International Registration Plan is mandatory for all interstate carriers with vehicles weighing over 26,000 pounds or with 3 or more axles.
• While IRP renewal deadlines are different in every state, the following states have all IRP renewals due tomorrow 12/31: Kansas, Nebraska, Oregon & Wyoming. 
• For states with staggered renewal deadlines (based on when you first registered), many have a deadline of 12/31 as well. These staggered deadline states are Arizona, Missouri, Montana & Utah. Check your IRP credentials if you’re unsure when your renewal application is due.

4. Intrastate Authority Renewals- Due 12/31

• The following states require intrastate authority renewals by 12/31: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi & Rhode Island.
• Each state has a different renewal procedure (E-filing, mail, etc.) and each has unique requirements. Check out this blog, for more information about renewing your intrastate authority. 
• In addition to a renewal application and fee payment, most states also require proof of current insurance and that your business be in good standing before you will be allowed to renew. 
• Ready to cross state lines? If your business is ready to transition to interstate, TSNAmerica can help make the transition smooth. Check out our deluxe authority packages!

5. 4th Quarter IFTA Filings- Due 01/31/15

• Tomorrow is the close of the fourth IFTA quarter! Have you been keeping precise fuel and mileage records for the past 3 months?
• Whether the answer is yes, no, or somewhere in between, the good news is, you still have a few weeks to get your act together–and we can help!
• Late Penalties: The January deadline will be here before you know it! Avoid late fees by getting on top of IFTA now by using a program like ExpressIFTA to prepare your returns. 
• Or just have TSNAmerica prepare your return for you! That means zero calculations for you! We’ll prepare the form based on your trip sheets, and then submit it directly to your state. 
• IFTA Audits: Check out these tips for avoiding the dreaded IFTA audit! 

In addition to these five titans, don’t forget about other requirements specific to your state, such as the New Mexico Weight Distance and Oregon Weight Receipt Renewals. Whether you need to file a state use tax like these or one of the big interstate renewals above, Truck Services of North America knows the requirements for your state and can file everything you need fast.

View our service packages at tsnamerica.com. Then send us a Service Request Form, call us at 803.386.0320, or email us 24/7 at support@tsnamerica.com. We’re ready and eager to help you make 2015 the best year yet! Cheers!

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Merry Christmas from Truck Services of North America!

The Truck Services of North America family would like to wish you and yours a magical and very Merry Christmas!

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we hope that you can find the time to take a break and cherish the ones you love. Even if you’re away from home or OTR, a simple phone call can still make someone’s Christmas brighter and make any place feel more like home!

Our offices will be closed this Thursday 12/25 & Friday 12/26 so that we can spend time with our loved ones. We hope that you will be able to do the same. But if you need us, we will still be providing 24/7 emergency email support through the holiday! Just email at support@tsnamerica.com. In the meantime if you need anything at all, call us at 803.386.0320.

If you’re just too busy with holiday madness to finish up your end-of-year paperwork, don’t be afraid to ask for a helping hand! Even though it’s getting down to the wire, we can still file everything you need extra fast (with a little help from Santa and his elves).

Here’s what you may need to file by 12/31:

• IFTA License Renewals
• UCR Renewals
• IRP Renewals in AZ, MO, MT, UT, KS, NE, OR & WY
• Intrastate Authority Renewals

Thank you again for supporting our USA-based business. Your support and referrals mean the world to us, and thanks to you, 2014 has been a fantastic year! Here’s to making 2015 even better together!

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The IFTA Renewal Deadline Approaches: Only 2 Weeks Left!

Today officially marks the one-week countdown to Christmas AND the two-week countdown to

December 31st. You know what that means!

No, New Year’s Eve isn’t the only end-of-month event we are referring to.

December 31st is also the deadline for UCR Renewals, IRP Renewals in some states, and of course, the big one–IFTA license renewals across the board!

All of these renewal deadlines are just looming on the horizon, menacingly! If you’ve been procrastinating, it’s time to get in gear and start renewing. All of that paperwork isn’t going to fill itself out (unfortunately, but we are working on the technology for that.)

Until there’s such a technological breakthrough, your friends at TSNAmerica can help you file all of your renewals–but don’t wait another day! Time is rapidly running out for IFTA license renewals.

Here’s why:

• Many participating IFTA states require that you submit your renewal application well before the December 31st deadline. That means you need to submit the application asap!
• Moreover, many State Offices will be closed for the entire week between Christmas and New Years. If that’s the case in your state, you may need to have your application in by Christmas Eve.
• While a grace period was issued by the IFTA Association CEO, Lonette L. Turner, the grace period only covers the display of your new 2015 IFTA credentials.
  
  Renewal applications are still due by December 31st, and the grace period will only cover your old credentials if you submitted your renewal on-time. Otherwise, you may be required to obtain temporary permits for every state you plan to operate in until your new 2015 credentials arrive.

At Truck Services of North America, we are experts in filing paperwork super-fast and at the last minute. But we are only human! While we’ve worked a few filing miracles in our day, we file on a first-come, first-served basis, and in some cases, our ability to submit before the deadline is determined by the filing requirements in each state. While some states require electronic filing, others require hard-copies via postal mail, which means we need your information much sooner to account for a pre-deadline delivery.

That’s just one more reason why it’s important to stop saving your renewals for a rainy day, and start typing away! We know that with your busy schedule, that’s easier said than done. So if you just have too much to handle with the Holidays and your business’s end-of-year financials, then at least let us lighten your load. We can take your IFTA renewals, or even 4th quarter IFTA filings, off your plate and off of your mind.

Get started now by calling one of our service pro’s at 803.386.0320 or email us for 24/7 assistance at support@tsnamerica.com.

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Intrastate Authority Renewals: Due by December 31st!

The Renewal Season continues! Interstate carriers with their IFTA, IRP, and UCR license renewals aren’t the only ones with December deadlines approaching.

Intrastate carriers are also in the throes of renewal season, with several states requiring that intrastate operating authorities be renewed before the end of December.

(Remember, interstate refers to travel across state lines or internationally, while intrastate travel is within the boundaries of a state only. To see the different requirements for intrastate v. interstate carriers, check out this blog!)

Don’t let the deadline, with it’s fees and penalties, catch you unaware! See below if your state requires you to renew your intrastate authority by December 31st!

Georgia- GIMC Renewal

• The Georgia Intrastate Motor Carrier (GIMC) license must be renewed annually by the end of December. This license grants you intrastate authority, that is the authority to pick-up and drop-off loads within Georgia state lines only. For interstate authority, an MC#, IRP, UCR, and IFTA license must be obtained instead.
• Upon renewal, you will need to present current proof of insurance, and if you are a non-citizen, proof of ID and a signed GSICA affidavit must also be presented each year.

Indiana

• Private carriers hauling nonhazardous materials do not need to renew. If you’re a licensed hazmat carrier, call TSNAmerica for details on renewing your license!

Kansas

• Due by December 31st, your Kansas Interstate Authority cannot be renewed if you don’t have valid insurance on file. You also will not be allowed to renew if your authority is not in good standing. 
• You may renew by mail (if they mailed you a packet) or online. If you choose to renew online, note that you must have a printer to print your credentials. They will not be mailed to you, unless you have TSNA file for you! We’ll file and send you the credentials ASAP!

Kentucky

• Paperwork must be mailed back (postmarked by Dec. 31st) with a fee of $25, plus an additional $10 per vehicle you’re renewing. 
• Kentucky also requires a separate intrastate fuel decal. TSNAmerica can help you renew both your authority and KY INTRA Fuel decals!

Michigan

• Your state should’ve sent you the renewal packet back in October. Forms must be completed and either mailed back or walked into the office no later than December 31st. Failure to return or postmark your renewal by then will result in a denial of your request, and your authority will be revoked.

Mississippi

• Renewal packets were sent out Nov. 1st. Forms must be completed and mailed back with appropriate payment by December 31st. There is a fee of $10 per vehicle you’re renewing. 

Rhode Island

• Renewals must be mailed back by Dec. 31st with payment for a $100 fee, plus an additional $20 per vehicle. 

In addition to the renewal form and fee payment, most states also require proof of current insurance and that your business be in good standing.

Truck Services of North America can help you file your intrastate authority renewal before the deadline! Or if you need to obtain your intrastate operating authority for the first time, we can do that and more. We have deluxe services packages that will cover everything you need to obtain your authority and get your business running fast.

Planning a switch? If you plan to transition from intrastate to interstate trucking this New Year, let us know, and we’ll show you the ropes! Venturing into interstate authority can be tricky as it opens up the registration-filled wide world of MC#, IFTA, IRP, and UCR. Luckily, your friends at TSNAmerica are no strangers to these requirements, and we can make the transition a smooth one!

Don’t wait until Deadline Day! Call us today at 803.386.0320 or email us at support@tsnamerica.com to speak to one of our service pro’s in Rock Hill, SC.

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