Trucking news for the trucking industry

Trucker Path and 3PL Systems Offer Single Click Access to Loads and Capacity Integration between Trucker Path’s TruckLoads digital freight exchange and 3PL Systems’ BrokerWare TMS greatly expands visibility into available loads and capacity PHOENIX – March 16, 2023 – Trucker Path, the most comprehensive and most used mobile app for North American truckers, today announced that users of BrokerWare Transportation Management Software from 3PL Systems Inc. can post loads directly on the Trucker Path TruckLoads digital freight exchange. The integration with TruckLoads instantly connects 3PL Systems broker customers with the nearly one million drivers and carriers in the Trucker Path community. “This integration between BrokerWare TMS and TruckLoads will provide Trucker Path users instant access to more available loads and increase exposure to capacity for 3PL System users,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “The ability to quickly interact on the TruckLoads digital freight exchange will streamline freight matching and help generate additional revenue for both drivers and brokers.” The Trucker Path integration with 3PL Systems allows companies using BrokerWare TMS to post available loads on TruckLoads with a single click. Drivers using the Trucker Path load board can quickly and easily view and book loads digitally or communicate with the broker to negotiate rates or ask questions. “BrokerWare TMS was designed to provide access to leading load boards like TruckLoads,” said Jeremy Thone, director of marketing at 3PL Systems. “The ability to post loads and find capacity quickly and efficiently is essential for the success of both brokers and drivers. By working with Trucker Path to enable that capability on TruckLoads, our customers will benefit from a seamless integration that allows them to save time, more effectively meet the capacity needs of shippers, and expand their businesses.” 3PL Systems joins the growing list of Trucker Path integration partners including McLeod® Software, Transport Pro and many others. TMS providers and brokers interested in integrating with TruckLoads can email Trucker Path at <a href="partners@truckerpath.com"> partners@truckerpath.com.</a> About 3PL Systems Inc Unleash the power of BrokerWare TMS, the platform meticulously designed to transform the freight brokerage industry. Created in partnership with supply chain experts, our user-friendly interface merges your business operations into a seamless portal—experience hassle-free connections with over 80 LTL carriers via state-of-the-art API and Electronic Dispatch technologies. Our journey is a fusion of expertise and innovation. 3PL Systems sparked its creation of freight software in 2005 with one of the first LTL rating engines. Fast forward to 2015, and our CEO, Cameron Robertson, boldly directed our engineering team to rewrite the entire codebase. Embracing the digitization wave, our company shifted to enhance truckload, rail, drayage, flatbed, and reefer tracking capabilities. </a> About Trucker Path Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. Its Trucker Path app is currently in use by over 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time available parking, fuel prices, weigh station status, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; COMMAND™, the industry’s first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet; and DISPATCH, a full-service dispatch service designed specifically to serve the back-office needs of small carriers and owner-operators. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.truckerpath.com/">www.truckerpath.com.</a> Media Contact: Susan Fall LaunchIt Public Relations <a href="tel:8584901050">858-490-1050</a> <a href="mailto:susan@launchitpr.com">susan@launchitpr.com</a>

Mar 16, 2023

Trucker Tax Tips, Part 4: Know the Things that Can Make You a Target for an IRS Audit Welcome to part 4 of our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers created by Trucker Path and the tax experts of <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>. In this post we address the elephant in the cab: IRS audits. Being audited by the IRS is every taxpayer’s nightmare. However, if you adhere to the IRS’s rules and complete your tax return properly, then you shouldn’t have anything to worry about if you’re audited. No mistake an audit by the IRS is something to be avoided, but there is only so much you can do to avoid attention. Whom the government chooses to audit often has to do with statistical probabilities, biases and dumb luck. Nevertheless, it is important to know what the authorities look for. 7 Things That Can Invite an IRS Audit 1. If you make a lot of money. That doesn’t mean you should try and make less. Just make sure you report everything you make and have good records to support deductions. How does high income increase your chances of an audit? <a href="https://www.atbs.com/post/7-red-flags-that-may-lead-to-a-tax-audit">According to IRS statistics on audits</a>, if you make up to $200,000, your chances of an audit are about .9%. $200,000 to $1 million those chances jump to 3.25%. If you make over $1 million, they surge to 11.1%. 2. If you don’t report everything you make. The IRS knows what you’ve been paid by the W-2s and 1099s they receive. If you’ve underreported, they know and you can expect them to look into it. 3. Failing to deduct fair market value. This has to do with large equipment purchases. Claiming you paid more than you did can invite the IRS’s scrutiny. 4. Entering the wrong information. Errors invite a closer look by the IRS. Proofread your return for misspellings and double-check your math. 5. Screwing up the forms. There are a lot of forms you have to file as a business owner. Take the time to get them right and if you can’t, get help from an accountant. 6. A lot of donations. If you are a super generous supporter of causes, the IRS is going to be suspicious. It’s just statistics. Don’t let that stop you from giving. Just be warned and be meticulous with your records. 7. Having a business. That’s right, you’ll invite extra scrutiny just for being an owner-operator. The IRS considers business owners a high-risk category because there are a lot of opportunities to cheat on the income and deductions they report. (Not that you would.) Avoid Mistakes with the Help of an Accountant Taxes can be a tremendous distraction to independent truck drivers. For truckers struggling with the complexities of taxes or overwhelmed by IRS requirements and deadlines, outsourcing can be the answer. An accountant that specializes in handling taxes for owner-operators understands the expenses and deductions particular to trucking. They will have the experience and grasp of changing tax laws to provide you every advantage and ensure compliance with the law. If you’re considering getting outside help for your taxes this year, Trucker Path users can get special discounts on tax and accounting services through ATBS. Check out the details <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">here</a>.

Mar 01, 2023

Trucker Tax Tips, Part 3: Set Yourself Up for Success with Good Tax Habits Is this the year you get your taxes better organized than ever before? You’ve come to the right place. In part 3 of our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers created by Trucker Path and the tax experts at <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>, we’ll address winning tax habits for owner operators. Good driving habits keep you safe and in good stead with the law out on the road. Similarly, good tax habits can keep you stress-free in tax season and in good standing with the IRS. Document Every Deduction This is a key to not running afoul of the IRS. Long-haul truckers especially need good systems for capturing every expense as well as filing and protecting receipts and important documents throughout the year. Trying to remember important details during tax time will only create stress. Stay On Top of Per Diem Expenses To claim the per diem deduction, you have to keep track of days on the road. Keeping a per diem calendar that records full days and partial days can be a saving grace come tax season when memory can fail. ATBS clients can easily track their days on the road using the <a href="https://www.atbs.com/post/how-to-use-the-atbs-mobile-app">ATBS Mobile App</a>. You also need DOT ELD logs with times, dates, and locations for your records. Reconcile Your Expenses Daily Make a habit of ending the day updating mileage logs and recording notes for each job and the expenses incurred for each one. Technology can help. Again, the <a href="https://www.atbs.com/post/how-to-use-the-atbs-mobile-app">ATBS Mobile App</a> is a great example. It also enables drivers to scan or import receipts and documents. Keep Important Documents in Order 1. Did you buy a new truck? You need the documents so you can deduct depreciation. 2. Did you work with new carriers? Get your 1099s in order. 3. Do you have a new lease? Keep your legal documents in a safe place. 4. Do you have additional sources of income? Add them to your quarterly income estimate so you can adjust your quarterly tax payment accordingly. 5. Did you contribute to a traditional IRA or convert your IRA to a Roth IRA? The IRS needs to know. 6. Did a creditor forgive any of your debt? The cancelled debt needs to be reported to the IRS. 7. Do you have a new baby? Be sure and update your tax form—the same with any changes to your marital status. Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute Impending deadlines for filing taxes always add to the stress of tax season. It helps considerably if you’ve been keeping your logs up to date and saving your receipts throughout the year. Also, don’t wait until the last minute to start your taxes. You’re much more likely to make a math error or forget a form when you do your taxes in a panic. Getting a jump on your taxes is the best strategy. And if you choose to enlist the help of an accountant, it goes the same. Get your records and receipts over to them as soon as you can. You want to give them as much time as possible to find every conceivable deduction that can reduce your taxes. Always File Your Return. Even if you can’t afford to pay your tax bill, it’s important to file your taxes. If you don’t file a tax return, the IRS will assess a penalty immediately. The amount you owe won’t go away the longer you wait to pay; in fact, it will grow because you’ll have to pay compound interest. It can also result in your bank accounts being garnished. Consider Filing for an Extension. If you are not able to file a tax return by the deadline, it is possible to file for an extension. This extends the amount of time you have to file your return without penalty. Remember an extension to file isn’t an extension to pay. Getting an extension doesn’t relieve you from having to pay your tax bill and the interest that accumulates on what you owe. Don’t Ignore IRS Notices IRS notices can blindside truckers. They typically come by regular mail, so it can be easy to miss them if you are on the road or don’t have a steady mailing address. Attend to them as soon as you receive them. Delaying can have severe ramifications. Know When to Seek Help If you’re dealing with complicated tax issues or feeling overwhelmed by IRS requirements and deadlines, an experienced tax professional can advocate for you with the IRS and provide invaluable assistance navigating the IRS system. Right now Trucker Path is offering a special discount for Trucker Path users on tax and accounting services from <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>. Learn more here. Next Up in Our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truck Drivers Series: Avoid Trouble In general, it’s best not to mess with the IRS. Learn the things that can make you a target for an IRS audit in our next post.

Feb 23, 2023

Trucker Path Announces Top 100 Truck Stops for 2022 Over 8.5 million in-app ratings, reviews and driver feedback used to determine winners PHOENIX – February 16, 2023 – Trucker Path, the most comprehensive and most used mobile app for North American commercial truck drivers, today announced the results of its annual ranking of truck stops. The Top Truck Stops winners among chain and independent facilities were chosen by the nearly one million Trucker Path app users. “The 2022 Top 100 Truck Stops chosen by Trucker Path’s driver community includes both chain and independent facilities that offer the best parking, food and other amenities,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “This recognition means they are the best of the best among places for drivers to stop based on their offerings and the top-notch customer service they provide.” “It’s exciting to see new locations in the list as well as repeat stores such as our winner from last year, Bert’s Travel Plaza. The enthusiasm that our list generates at the store level is a real testament to how dedicated stores are to serving the trucking community. They know that the drivers appreciate the extra effort they are putting in,” Oliver added. “Providing this list also aligns with our mission to help make truckers’ lives on the road easier, safer and more comfortable.” For its annual Top Truck Stops ranking, Trucker Path gathered over 8.5 million in-app ratings, reviews and driver feedback to determine the Top 100 from among the more than 8,000 truck stops and fuel locations in the Trucker Path app. The top 5 lists represent the overall top 5 and top 5 chain and independent locations with the highest ratings in their respective categories. Drivers across the nation can look for Trucker Path Top 100 Truck Stops that display a window decal honoring the location and their place on the annual Top 100 list. The Trucker Path Top 5 Best Trucks Stops All Truck Stops 1st Place – Kwik Star #1071, Davenport, Iowa 2nd Place – Love's Travel Stop #827, Moses Lake, Washington 3rd Place – Rainbow Trucker's Lounge, West Wendover, Nevada 4th Place – Bert's Travel Plaza, Wellsville, Kansas 5th Place – Workman’s Travel Center Ozark, Ozark, Arkansas Independent Truck Stops 1st Place – Rainbow Trucker's Lounge, West Wendover, Nevada 2nd Place – Bert's Travel Plaza, Wellsville, Kansas 3rd Place – Stones Truck Stop, Watertown, South Dakota 4th Place – Pinehurst Gas N Go, Pinehurst, Georgia 5th Place – Iowa 80, Walcott, Iowa Chain Truck Stops 1st Place – Kwik Star #1071, Davenport, Iowa 2nd Place – Love's Travel Stop #827, Moses Lake, Washington 3rd Place – Workman’s Travel Center Ozark, Ozark, Arkansas 4th Place – TA Express Vermillion #275, Burbank, South Dakota 5th Place – Roadstar Travel Center Jarrell #17, Jarrell, Texas “This recognition means so much since we know it comes directly from our Professional Driver guests," said Steve Wrobel from Kwik Trip’s Public Relations. “Thank you! We have a great culture here at Kwik Trip/Kwik Star. Co-workers at our Davenport Kwik Star, our additional 300+ tractor/trailer accessible locations and throughout our entire company serve with our mission statement in mind, to treat others as you like to be treated. That makes Kwik Trip/Kwik Star a great place to visit and to work. We want to thank Trucker Path for providing a network that connects our stores and co-workers to thousands of Drivers.” “The Trucker’s Lounge in West Wendover, Nevada, is very pleased to have received this very complimentary designation from the truck driving community,” said Dave Fuller, general manager of Peppermill Resorts. “We appreciate providing a well-lit, safe stopover for our friends passing through I-80 on the border of Nevada and Utah. We offer free showers 24/7 along with a nice gift shop to purchase snacks and other gifts that are worthy of taking home to family and friends. Our friendly staff is always here to welcome our drivers and see that our showers are always clean and inviting. We appreciate this honor and hope to continue seeing our new and long-time friends as they pass through Wendover!” <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/02/Top-100-Truck-Stops.png"><img class="aligncenter" src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2023/02/Top-100-Truck-Stops.png" alt="" width="616" height="2200" /></a> About Trucker Path Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. Its Trucker Path app is currently in use by nearly 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time available parking, fuel prices, weigh station status, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; COMMAND™, the industry’s first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet; and DISPATCH, a full-service dispatch service designed specifically to serve the back-office needs of small carriers and owner-operators. For more information, visit www.truckerpath.com. Media Contact: Susan Fall, LaunchIt Public Relations 858-490-1050, susan@launchitpr.com

Feb 16, 2023

Trucker Tax Tips, Part 2: Use Your Powers of Deduction to Slash Your Taxes Welcome to part 2 of our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers created by Trucker Path and the tax experts of <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a>. In this post we’ll talk about a topic truckers love: deductions. Knowing the deductions available to owner-operators can help put you on the road to minimizing the amount of taxes you’ll owe the IRS. Tax deductions are business expenses you can use to lower your amount of taxable income which in turn lowers your taxes due. Eligible deductions are expenditures that are “ordinary and necessary” for your business and you have a record confirming. Here are a few of the potential deductions that are particular to truck drivers. Meals Deduction Self-employed drivers who are away from their “tax home” overnight, or who are required to rest by hours-of-service rules, are entitled to a per diem deduction for meals. The deductible per diem rate as of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-22-44.pdf">October 1, 2021</a> is $69 for a full day of work and $51.75 for a partial day of work. Partial days are the days that you depart and the days that you arrive home. For 2022 taxes, drivers can deduct 100% of the per diem rate, but starting in 2023, only 80% of the per diem rate will be deductible. Truck Depreciation Deduction Another key deduction available to drivers who purchase a major asset like a truck or trailer is depreciation. Depreciation is an accounting method for spreading the cost of an asset out over its useful life. It can help reduce a tax bill considerably. Other Potential Deductions ● Lease payments on a truck or trucks ● Diesel ● Tools and equipment ● Hotel expenses when work requires sleep to complete the duties of a job ● Fees paid for services like accounting ● Office or computer supplies ● Truck maintenance fees ● Uniforms ● Licensing and permitting ● Internet and cell phone fees directly related to business ● Commercial auto insurance premiums ● Truck washes or cleaning products Don’t Let Deductions Go to Waste Be mindful of the expenses you incur that are directly related to your trucking business and save those receipts. If you have any questions, consult a professional. Right now Trucker Path is offering a special discount for Trucker Path users on tax and accounting services from ATBS. Learn more <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">here</a>. Next Up in Our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truck Drivers Series: Good Tax Habits Managing deductible expenses is an important part of adopting good tax habits. Learn best practices for staying organized and on top of your taxes in our next post.

Feb 08, 2023

Trucker Tax Tips, Part 1: Avoid the Pain of Procrastination Trucker Tips for a Stress-Free Tax Season: A 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers Nobody likes paying taxes. Truckers, independent sorts that they are, are especially prickly about the government taking their hard-earned savings. It’s not just the money, there’s a lot of anxiety and frustration that comes with filing taxes each year—especially for owner-operators. Knowing the best practices of tax preparation and accounting for truckers can help reduce the work of doing taxes every year and the stress of doing them wrong. It can also help ensure you reap the full reward of any tax savings you have coming to you. We at Trucker Path have teamed with the tax experts at <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a> to create a 4-part blog series to help you do just that. Part 1 of Our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truckers Make Your Estimated Tax Payments to Avoid the Pain of Procrastination Self-employed individuals, just like all businesses, are required to make estimated tax payments quarterly to the federal government as well as the state where the business operates. When you are a W-2 employee of a company, taxes are automatically withheld and submitted to the government for you. As a business owner, you’re required to do it yourself. If you are going to owe $1,000 or more, you’re required to pay your taxes in quarterly installments. Not doing so brings underpayment penalties and you’ll have to pay past interest on the money you owe. Know the Rules Your quarterly estimated tax payments include self-employment tax: The self-employment tax rate which includes Social Security and Medicare amounts to 15.3% of adjusted gross income. On top of that, you need to pay federal income tax determined using the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040es.pdf">IRS’s Form 1040-ES</a> as well as state income tax determined by your particular state—each has its own form for estimating taxes. How to Estimate Taxes There are two main ways to estimate your tax. The first is dividing what you paid in taxes the prior year by four and paying that amount each quarter. The second is adding up your profit each quarter and calculating your tax for that amount. This method is preferable, especially for independent contractors who are just starting. It ensures tax payments are accurate which helps you avoid owing the government an unexpected amount at the end of the year. <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">ATBS</a> uses the second, more accurate method to prepare tax estimates for their clients each quarter. Better Late Than Never If you’re late for a quarterly deadline, still make the payment. If you miss a quarterly payment, <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path"> ATBS</a> recommends that you make that payment up as soon as possible. It can help lower your tax liability and avoid penalties. Save Along the Way It's important to save money along the way to cover estimated taxes. <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path"> ATBS</a> suggests setting aside 25-28% of your weekly net income for quarterly taxes. Fool-Proof Your Plan to Pay Estimated tax payments are a pain to many a truck driver. They don’t have to be. If you’re struggling to make sense of yours, Trucker Path is offering a special discount for Trucker Path users on tax and accounting services from ATBS. <a href="https://www.atbs.com/trucker-path">Learn more here</a> Next Up in Our 4-Part Tax Primer for Truck Driver Series: Deductions Learn expert insights into the expenses truckers can use to reduce the amount of taxes they owe.

Feb 02, 2023

How Often Do Truckers Prefer To Return Home? How Often Do They Actually Return Home?

Jan 26, 2023

Trucker Path Marketplace Opens for Business Community of commercial drivers gains easy access to a range of discounted products and services. PHOENIX – January 17, 2023 – Trucker Path, the most comprehensive and most used mobile app for North American truckers, today announced the opening of its new in-app marketplace featuring discounts and special offers on products and services specifically for drivers. The offerings in the Marketplace are available and easily accessible by all members of the Trucker Path Community. “Our mission is to provide products and services that help our community of drivers operate more efficiently and to help make life on the road a little easier for them,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “The new Trucker Path Marketplace was developed to provide easy access to discounts from leading providers who offer products that not only help truckers go about their business more efficiently, but also help them with life’s essentials and comforts.” For the initial launch, the Trucker Path Marketplace features a set of offerings from trusted partners to coincide with this time of year, including healthcare and tax-related services. That list includes: • Telehealth Services (with the first 2 months free) • Discount Prescription Cards • Major Medical Insurance • Dental & Vision Coverage • Life Insurance • Accident Medical Coverage • Accounting Services • Tax Preparation “Making the Marketplace available right in the app our members already rely on for navigation, parking availability, finding food and hotels and many other services makes it very easy for them to access the discounts they deserve,” added Oliver. “With our partner providers, the Trucker Path Marketplace continues our mission to support truckers and make their lives on the road easier and more efficient.” Additional services and products will continue to be added to the Trucker Path Marketplace in the very near future. About Trucker Path Phoenix-based Trucker Path is the provider of a wide range of truck driver-centric mobility products. Its Trucker Path app is currently in use by over 1 million professional truck drivers. Offering best-in-class navigation with truck optimized routing, the Trucker Path app also provides access to vital up-to-date information about truck stops, real-time available parking, fuel prices, weigh station status, and truck scales and wash locations. The company also offers TruckLoads, a digital freight exchange that connects drivers, carriers and brokers; COMMAND™, the industry’s first and only Operations & Driver Relationship (ODR) platform that provides small to mid-size fleets with the necessary driver and TMS technologies to successfully run a fleet; and DISPATCH, a full-service dispatch service designed specifically to serve the back-office needs of small carriers and owner-operators. For more information, visit www.truckerpath.com. Media Contact: Susan Fall LaunchIt Public Relations 858-490-1050 susan@launchitpr.com

Jan 18, 2023