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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, 2026
Taxes
Owner-op income tax: 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, 2026
Taxes
Trucking tax preparation: Owner-op's role 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, 2026
Taxes
Handling per-diem and depreciation deductions to save, and cut against common tax myths
Owner-operators' standard per-diem deduction got a boost for the 2025 tax year, and in 2026 options for depreciating equipment have expanded courtesy of legislation also solidifying business income deductions.
January 1, 2026
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, 2026
Taxes
How, and when it makes sense, for owner-operators LLCs 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 still report the income of the business on their personal tax return. S Corp earnings are not subject to self-employment tax.
January 1, 2026
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. Keep your records for at least that time period, and don't neglect these deductible expenses.
January 1, 2026
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Top Stories
Regulations
IRS announces red-dyed diesel relief in effect -- is it worth it?
The IRS confirmed it will not impose penalties for using red-dyed diesel on-highway through the end of the year, as directed by the President. Yet many states aren't allowing the use of dyed diesel on-highway, and volume discounts for standard, non-dyed fuel in many cases beat federal relief at the pump.
Reader Rigs
Add your truck to Overdrive's 'Reader Rigs' showcase
Regulations
DOT blasts Overdrive's reporting on 'sham' CDL school reinstatements
Regulations
White House's AI-powered CDL-mill purge is going down in flames
Pride & Polish
The ultimate Christmas present: A.J. Field's 1969 Peterbilt 358
Overdrive Radio
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Make a bill, pay the bill: Owner-ops 'only as good as their word' trucking OTR
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