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Taxes
Owner-operator tax obligations start with required truck registration
Independents are responsible for their own registrations, likewise Form 2290 payments. Leased owners may have the option of doing it themselves or letting the company they are leased to handle it. Find resources for starting with state DMVs and more here.
January 1, 2025
Taxes
Income tax and other taxes: Understanding the importance of recordkeeping for deductions
Among the biggest challenges for a new business is understanding how you are taxed. This is an area where many new owner-operators run into problems. You can avoid any big surprises on April 15 by using good planning and recordkeeping throughout the year.
January 1, 2025
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March 24, 2025
Taxes
The owner-operator's role in tax preparation: More than just bookkeeping
Avoid common mistakes seen in owner-operator tax returns by checking the major numbers your tax preparer uses. Doing this can save you thousands of dollars in taxes. Also: A smart way to 'play catchup' on bookkeeping if you get behind.
January 1, 2025
Taxes
Ways to handle per-diem and depreciation deductions and cut against common tax myths
Owner-operators' standard per-diem deduction got a boost for the 2025 tax year, while options for depreciating equipment have narrowed back to tried-and-true practices.
January 1, 2025
Taxes
Truck lease v. truck purchase: A tax analysis
Generally, a purchaser will get higher deductions in the first two years that follow, with the fourth year not even close to the level of deductions available to the lease taxpayer. The effect is a tax delay for truck-purchasing owner-operators.
January 1, 2025
Taxes
How, and when it makes sense, to file as an S Corp to save on self-employment taxes
Filing taxes as an S Corp allows an owner-operator LLC to designate the owner an employee of the LLC, yet to still report the income of the business on their personal tax return. S Corp earnings are not subject to self-employment tax.
January 1, 2025
Taxes
Quick-hit tips for truckers to save on taxes and guard against IRS audit risk
The IRS usually has three years from the date of filing to challenge deductions or income stated on your return by requesting an audit, so you should keep your records for at least three years.
January 1, 2025
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Top Stories
Custom Rigs
The ‘Maximum Overdrive’-themed 1999 Western Star that made a marriage
Owner-operator Jackie Baggett sees his "Green Goblin" 1999 Western Star 4964EX as more than a work truck. The rig served a solemn duty as starting point of a relationship that led to his marriage. The truck today hauls oversize freight for Ace Doran.
Pride & Polish
Overdrive's Pride & Polish: Vote for your favorite rigs today
Regulations
DOT reveals the real reason it's pushing out 200,000 non-domiciled CDL drivers
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