May 03, 2019 • Carriers

Industry Update May 3, 2019

Industry Update May 3, 2019

By Jeremy Feucht

Did you Know?

On May 1, 1931, Herbert Hoover dedicated the Empire State Building in New York City. The tallest building at the time would not have been possible without the use of cranes, trucks and other specialized equipment. Demolition of the Waldorf hotel which stood in the spot where the Empire State Building would be built, began in 1929. Soon after, cranes and cement mixers were sent in to help with the construction of the 102 feet tall building.

Trucking tip of the Week

Allergies are a big problem for some this time of year. If you have any allergies, make sure you keep documentation in your truck. Bees, yellow jackets, wasps and hornets are all out beginning this time of year as are mosquitos and ants. Pollen counts are high as well which can bring on asthma systems. Know your body and make sure you are taking proper care to ensure your wellbeing.

Danger on the Road

A bad wreck in Denver last week cost the lives of four people during rush hour traffic. It is being reported now that the company involved, Castellano 03 Trucking, LLC out of Houston, TX, had a history of brake issues in their recent past. Since 2017, the company has been hit with at least 30 violations regarding their brakes.

General

In one of the worst stories you will hear, Falcon Transport abruptly went out of business last week leaving drivers stranded miles away from home. The company had recently been purchased by a private equity firm after having been run by its founding family for 115 years. 550 employees were immediately laid off. But that wasn’t the only company that shut its doors in the last week. Williams Trucking out of Alabama also notified its drivers it was shutting down as of May 1 leaving 50 drivers out of work.

Women in Trucking

Treana Moniz has been named Women in Trucking’s May Member of the Month. Moniz has held her CDL since 2007, she has over 675,000 safe driving miles to her name. In 2018, she was name Eastern Company Driver of the year. Find more on her story here.

TagsSemi-Truck dangerous roads Did you Know Trucking Tips Falcon Transport Allergies Women in Trucking Denver

Industry Update - March 15, 2019 <h3>Trucking Industry Update March 15, 2019</h3> <h5>By Jeremy Feucht</h5> <h3><strong><u>Did you Know?</u></strong></h3> One of the world’s first, and at the time the worst, oil tanker spill occurred this week in history. On March 16, 1978, the Supertanker Amoco Cadiz, wrecked off the coast of France. The spill released 68 million gallons of oil into the Ocean and covered roughly 240 miles of French coastline in oil. <h3><strong><u>Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong></h3> We are about a week away from Spring Break for most of the US. This means more cars on the road traveling to both big cities and remote areas. Make sure you allow yourself additional time on your trips. Be vigilant as this time of year also begins to see an increase in freight thefts. Be careful and be safe. <h3><strong><u>Declarations of Emergency</u></strong></h3> With another massive storm hitting the US, make sure you are checking the road and weather reports for the areas you are traveling to and through. This time, a good portion of the <a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/bomb-cyclone-slams-plains-midwest-with-heavy-winds-snow/ar-BBUMs06?ocid=spartandhp">Mid-West and Plain States</a> were hit with what is being called a “Bomb Cyclone.” This weather pattern hit states from Colorado to Iowa and as far south as Missouri. Many states have already declared a State of Emergency. Make sure you know if your loads are cleared for hours of service exemptions before trying to run in an exempt status. <h3><strong><u>Pay</u></strong></h3> In what should come as little surprise, and good news to owner-operators, large fleets saw a reduction in turnover rates in 2018. This is because <a href="https://www.joc.com/trucking-logistics/labor/pay-hikes-cut-truckload-driver-turnover-big-fleets_20190314.html">large trucking companies increased pay</a> across the board for their drivers. As rates drove up, companies were desperate to keep their seasoned drivers from going off on their own and increased pay. By doing this, they allowed owner-operators to operate at higher rates in the spot-market for a bit longer than normal. As rates begin to fall again, we will see if large fleets retain their high pay rates through the summer or not. <h3><strong><u>Danger on the Road</u></strong></h3> This piece of news has several dangerous aspects to it. A driver, just outside of Spokane, WA was uninjured when he navigated the rest stop exit improperly and wrecked his truck into a snow bank. Normally, a wreck that is off the freeway/highway would not shut down an interstate for two hours. This one however did as the trucker had <a href="https://www.khq.com/news/isp-confirms-semi-truck-carrying-missiles-was-headed-for-indiana/article_e96df9ae-443a-11e9-8fb5-430d6df36d84.html">16, 2000-pound US Military missiles</a> on board. Military crews from Fairchild Air Force Base were called to clean up and secure the scene.

Mar 15, 2019 • Carriers

2290 Form [h2]2290 Form and EINs: Everything You Need to Know[/h2] [p]The Heavy Vehicle Use tax season is coming right at us at full speed! You can try to jump out of the way, but you’ll still need to file your 2290 Form by the August 31 deadline. Don’t let the deadline run you over. Be prepared and file as soon as possible to avoid having your form rejected. Part of being prepared involves knowing that you’re required to have an EIN to file. [/p] [h2] What to Remember About Your EIN [/h2] [p] Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) is also known as the Federal Tax Identification Number and the Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN. EINs are assigned to businesses operating in the United States in order to identify them for tax reporting purposes. Each EIN consists of a unique 9 digit number.[/p] [p]This is important because you are required by the IRS to have an EIN to complete your 2290. They need it to identify you to correctly verify that you’re filing for yourself and to prevent fraud. [/p] [p]There may be some confusion when it comes to EINs and Social Security Numbers (SSN) because they’re both 9 digit identification codes. However, EINs are used to identify businesses, and social security numbers are used to identify individuals. Also, the IRS used to accept SSNs in place of EINs on 2290 Form, but that is no longer the case. If you use your SSN in the EIN field your form will be rejected. [/p] [p]Plus, when it comes to the information on your 2290 Form such as your business name and address, it will need to match what the IRS has on file or it could be rejected. You can see if your information matches what the IRS has on file by contacting the IRS directly at 800- 829-4933. [/p] [p]If you don’t have an EIN you can <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online"> apply online for free with the IRS</a>. Once you finish applying you will instantly receive your 9 digit EIN, but please keep in mind that it will take about 15 days for your EIN to update in the IRS’s system and your 2290 Form could be rejected during this time. [/p] [p]Each EIN is is a unique code that never expires. However, as a sole proprietor you may need a new EIN if you’re subject to a bankruptcy proceeding, you incorporate, you take in new partners and operate as a partnership, or you purchase or inherit an existing business. [/p] [h2]How To File Your 2290 Form?[/h2] [p]Why wait when you can go ahead and knock out your 2290 Form today? Go ahead and file online with ExpressTruckTax or the ExpressTruckTax App now. Simply follow the step-by-step filing guide to instantly complete your form. As a result, your Form 2290 will be transmitted directly to the IRS and you'll get your stamped Schedule 1 in about 15 minutes.[/p] [p]You can also call TSNAmerica at 803-386-0320 to file your 2290 Form today over the phone. Simply give them a call and an outstanding US-based representative will file your 2290 for you! It’s that easy. Plus, you will instantly get a copy of your stamped Schedule 1 via email.[/p] [h2] Need Help With Your 2290 Form? [/h2] [p]The outstanding <a href="https://www.expresstrucktax.com/">ExpressTruckTax team</a> can help. Call them with any questions you may have at 704-234-6005 Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. EST. You can also reach them via live chat or through <a href="http://support@expresstrucktax.com">24/7 email support</a>.

Aug 03, 2017 • Carriers

Trucking Industry Update February 8, 2019 <strong><u>[p]</u></strong>By Jeremy Feucht <strong><u>[p]</u></strong> <strong><u>[p]Did you Know?</u></strong> <strong><u>[p]</u></strong>The average trucker spends nearly $60,000 in fuel each year! <strong><u>[p]Trucking tip of the Week</u></strong> <strong><u>[p]</u></strong>Be careful when using a GPS. Many truckers get stuck on roads that are not meant for semis due to GPS routing. Make sure your GPS is built for big rigs prior to purchasing. <strong><u>[p]Trucker’s Fees</u></strong> <strong><u>[p]</u></strong><a href="https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2019/standingcommittees/190205_stra_0130PM-Agenda.pdf">Two potential pieces of legislation called Routing Slips</a>, have come forward in Idaho that could increase the financial burden placed on truckers driving through the state. The Routing Slips would add a weight-mileage charge to truckers. Although the wording of the potential bills has not been released to the public, it is believed that IRP and IFTA would remain in place if passed. <strong><u>[p]HOS Exemption for Cement Trucks</u></strong> <strong><u>[p]</u></strong><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/06/2019-01267/hours-of-service-of-drivers-american-concrete-pavement-association-inc-application-for-exemptions">Cement truckers have been granted</a> an extension from a portion of the hours of service ruling and a new exemption on another hours of service rule. For the next five years, cement trucks will be allowed to continue to receive an exemption to the 30-minute break rule. Within the same ruling, companies operating cement trucks will be granted an exemption from a major stipulation of the short-haul rules. Instead of having to start and stop service at the same spot each day, cement truck drivers will now be allowed to start and stop service wherever necessary. They will not have to keep track of RODS when working within short-haul distances even though they are not starting and stopping in the same locations. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/02/06/2019-01276/hours-of-service-of-drivers-national-cattlemens-beef-association-livestock-marketing-association">Cattle farmers</a> have requested a similar exemption. No word on when or if it will be approved. <strong><u>[p]Virginia Toll Legislation Denied</u></strong> <strong><u>[p]</u></strong>Virginia had toyed with the idea of adding tolls the <a href="https://www.gobytrucknews.com/virginia-cancels-plans-for-tolls-on-i-81/123">entire length of I-81</a>. The tolls would have cost a driver as much as $55 per day. Luckily, this legislation has been denied and will not be brought to life.

Feb 08, 2019