Sammons Trucking: The four most overlooked tax deductions for driver...

Sammons Trucking: The four most overlooked tax deductions for driver...: 1.Laundry:   Your uniform and other clothes will need to be cleaned from time to time. Fortunately, you can claim related expenses on yo...

The four most overlooked tax deductions for drivers.

1.Laundry:  Your uniform and other clothes will need to be cleaned from time to time. Fortunately, you can claim related expenses on your tax return.

While on the road, your laundry expenses are tax-deductible. This is provided that you don’t live in your truck, as you must be away from home to utilize this deduction. Keep all receipts for laundry  expenses to ensure this deduction goes smoothly.

2. Satellite Radio:  Many drivers are not aware of this, but satellite radio expenses are tax deductible. Since a driver can use it as a tool for weather and traffic information, a business need for this device is established and the IRS treats it accordingly.

This doesn’t mean you can’t deduct satellite radio if you also listen to your favorite bands and shock jocks on there. As long as the satellite radio is for your truck and not a personal automobile or other non-work location, write it off and save a few bucks.

3. Mobile Phone:  Your mobile phone is also tax-deductible, provided that it is used for business purposes.

Keep all phone records to verify that your phone is used to make business calls. During an audit, the IRS may ask for proof to back up your deductions.

To illustrate, trucker Hatem Elsayed lost a tax court case involving mobile phone deductions. He  substantiated his claim of paying for the phone, but did not keep detailed logs of his calls. Thus, he was denied a mobile phone deduction because he couldn’t prove the business use of his phone.

4. ATM, Bank and Credit Card Fees:  Fees for your various financial transactions are also    tax-deductible. These include ATM fees, bank charges and credit card fees.

As with any other deduction, such fees must be for business purposes. Therefore, it is a good idea to separate your business and personal expenses.

Keep separate bank accounts and credit cards to use exclusively for business. Then, during each tax season, you’ll be able to calculate your deductions more easily instead of sifting through a combination of business and personal expenses. If Uncle Sam comes knocking, you can simply show your statements as proof instead of explaining each item individually.

The Bottom Line:  While taxes are a fact of life, drivers can minimize them by claiming these often-overlooked deductions. You may be able to do so retroactively, as well. A qualified tax preparer who understand the trucking industry can review previous tax returns and help drivers claim missed deductions.

Keep the mentioned deductions in mind as you complete your tax return this year. For specific advice, consult a tax professional.

Scott Christensen is vice president of Tax Services at Equinox Owner-Operator Solutions

 

Sammons Trucking: Chain Laws

Sammons Trucking: Chain Laws: Chain Law goes into effect as of September 1 st   2013 thru May 31 st 2014: All commercial vehicles operating on I-70 between Dotser...

Chain Laws

Chain Law goes into effect as of September 1^st  2013 thru May 31^st 2014:

All commercial vehicles operating on I-70 between Dotsero (milepost 133) and Morrison (milepost 259) between September 1st to May 31st must carry sufficient chains to be in compliance with the Colorado chain law.

The fine for not carrying chains between mileposts 133 and 259 on the I-70 corridor during the specified time season is $50 plus a surcharge. The fine for not chaining up when the chain law is in effect is $500 with a surcharge. The fine for not chaining up and subsequently blocking the highway is $1,000 plus a surcharge.

Chain Law Level 1: All single drive axle combination commercial vehicles must chain all four drive wheels; cables are not permitted as ATDs. All other commercial vehicles must have snow tires or chains. Level 1 may be implemented any time there is snow covering any part of the traveled     portion of pavement on an ascending grade.

Chain Law Level 2: All commercial vehicles must chain up. Single drive axle and tandem drive  axle combination commercial vehicles must chain four drive wheels. Level 2 may be implemented any time there is snow covering the entire traveled portion of pavement on an ascending grade, or when driving conditions dictate that this level is necessary to protect safety and to minimize road closures.

Notification When the chain law is in effect, drivers will be notified which vehicles must chain up and where by the following means: electronic message signs; 511 traveler info Chaining Up Metal chains must consist of two circular metal loops, one on each side of the tire, connected by not less than nine evenly-spaced chain loops across the tread. Commercial vehicles that have four or more drive wheels must chain four wheels. Dual tire chains are acceptable.

 

Sammons Trucking: Good bye from Monica

Sammons Trucking: Good bye from Monica:              Since I decided to retire toward the end of October, I’ve being successful in selling my truck and trailer.  I would like to t...

Good bye from Monica

             Since I decided to retire toward the end of October, I’ve being successful in selling my truck and trailer.  I would like to thank all the people at Sammons and all the agents all over the United States that made my small corner of the trucking world a success over the last  20 years. I can't   believe that all those years have gone by but now it's time for me to do other things.......I have      enjoyed my relationship with Sammons and was so thankful for such a great company that always allowed me to finish what I needed to do at home and then cheerfully tell me "Give me a call a    couple days before you intend to go out". That was so great! My situation was a little different from most, so thank you again......

  My longtime relationship with quite a few agents and the dispatch in the office----thank you for all those calls and working in the background when parked somewhere waiting......you’re the best! Of course, OD dept. too and logs and settlements, safety and I know I'm missing some,.........everyone, thank you.

  On my end, thanks to my husband for keeping that truck in perfect condition no matter what and was never on the hook even once, lol . She's as good as any out there still and is 29 years old! My hobbies of brewing beer and playing pool along with sailing, should keep my busy........So long everyone and thanks again.

 Monica # 1801.

Sammons Trucking: November O/D and OW restrictions

Sammons Trucking: November O/D and OW restrictions: State/Province 11/5 11/11 11/28           11/29     Restrictions                          ...

November O/D and OW restrictions

State/Province	11/5	11/11	11/28          11/29		Restrictions
Alabama	Open	Closed	Closed          Closed		ITravel allowed with a valid permit only from 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. No travel 30 minutes after sunset  11/27 until sunset   12/02
Arizona	Open	Closed	Closed          Closed		No travel from noon 11/27 until ½ hour before sunrise 11/29
Arkansas	Open	Closed	Closed          Closed		No travel sundown 11127 until sunrise 11/29
California	Open	Open	Closed             Closed		No travel 4:00pm 11/27 until 12 AM t 1/28, and from noon until midnight on 11/28. 11/29. 11/30 and 12/01 when required to be escorted by pilot car
Colorado	Open	Closed	Closed           Open		No Travel Restrictions
Connecticut	Open	Closed	Closed           Open		No travel noon 11/27 until daylight t2/02
Delaware	Open	Closed	Closed          Closed		No travel noon 11/27 until noon 12/02
Florida	Open	Closed	Closed        Closed		No travel 11/28 or 11/29 if over 10 W, 80 U or 14’6” H
Georgia	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel 11/28
Idaho	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	No travel noon 11/27 until sunset 11/29
Illinois	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 through sunrise 11/29
Indiana	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until 1/2 hour before sunrise on 12/02
Iowa	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No Travel Restrictions
Kansas	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No Travel Restrictions
Kentucky	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No Travel Restrictions specified on the permit
Louisiana	Open	Open	Closed	Closed	No travel sunset 11/27 until sunrise 11/30
Maine	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel sunset 11/27 until sunrise 11/30
Maryland	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until 9:00 AM 12/02
Massachusetts	Open			Closed	No travel 11/28
Michigan	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 11/29 except mobile home resume travel at 0000 11/29
Minnesota	Open                Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel 2:00pm 11127 until 2:00am 11129
Mississippi	Open                  Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 11/29. Loads with 24 hour movement allowed, No Travel Restrictions
Missouri	Open                Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 12/03
Montana	Open                Closed		Closed	Open	No travel 11/28 if over 10’ wide. 110’ long 146” high
Nebraska	Open                 Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel 11/27 until sunrise 11/30
New Brunswick	Open                 Closed		Open	Open	No Travel Restrictions
New Hampshire	Open                Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel 11/11, 11/28 or 11/29
New Jersey	Closed                Closed		Closed	Open	No travel 11/27 or 11/28
New Mexico	Open                Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel sundown 11/27 until sunrise 11/29
New York	Open                Closed		Closed	Open	No travel noon 1 1/27 until 1/2 hour before sunrise 11/29
Nevada	Open                  Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel from 12 PM-Midnight 11/27 or 11/28-No restrictions if not exceeding 12’ wide, 15’ high or 110’ long.
North Carolina	Open          Closed		Closed	Closed	No travel for over width, overweight or over length permitted vehicle/vehicle combinations or vehicle combinations with a gross weight exceeding 112,000 lbs. from   11/27 until noon  11/29

 

North Dakota	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	Loads over 16’ wide, no travel noon 11/27 until 1/2 hour before sunrise 11129
Nova Scotia	Open	Closed	Open	Open	No travel Friday after 3pm 11/8 if over 12’wide or 986” long. No travel after noon Saturday 11/09, Sunday 11/10, or Monday 11/11 if over 12’ wide or 98’ó” long.
Ohio	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 11/29
Oklahoma	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel 11/28
Ontario	Open	Closed	Open	Open	No Travel Restrictions
Oregon	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	No travel noon 11/27 until 1/2hour before sunrise 12/02
Pennsylvania	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until 9:00 am 12/02
Quebec	Open	Closed	Open	Open	No travel 11/11
Rhode Island	Open	Closed	Closed	Open	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 12/02
South Carolina	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until noon 11/29
South Dakota	Open	Open	Closed	Open	No Travel Restrictions.
Tennessee	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel for mobile homes 11/11. No travel 11/28
	Open	Open	Closed	Closed	No travel 11/28 if over 14’ wide, 16’high or 110’ long to include manufactured homes, Super heavy loads no travel from noon 11/27 until 12/02
	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel if over 10’ wide, 14’ high and 105’ long from 2:00 pin 11/27 until sunrise 11/29
Vermont	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel from noon 11/8 through 11/Il. No travel noon 11/27 through 12/01
Virginia	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 11/29
Washington	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel after noon 11/27. No travel 11/28 or 11/29
West Virginia	Open	Closed	Closed	Closed	No travel sundown 12/02 until sunrise 12/02
Wisconsin	Open	Open	Closed	Closed	No travel noon 11/27 until sunrise 11/29 if greater than 12’ wide, 136” high, or 100’ long. If less than these dimensions Operation not valid 4: OOpm-l 1:O0pni 11/27 & 11/28. Vehicles which are overweight only, unless specified otherwise in the permit, may operate 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays.
Wyoming	Open	Open	Closed	Open	I I/Il- Minimal staffing-daytime only. Loads requiring escorts will not he Allowed to travel 1/2 after sunset 11/27 until 1/2 before sunrise 11/29. Ports closed 11/28