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As an owner-operator, there are many ways to save money on fuel, truck maintenance, taxes, and business expenses . You can also be sure you never pay more than you have to in taxes , always have an up-to-date profit plan in place for your business, and keep an eye on your business performance each month to find ways to improve! If you are currently working with ATBS, you know that we can help you with all of these things! But on top of all of this, it’s important that you don’t forget about your personal spending! We wanted to give you a few tips on what you can do today, right now, to try and save money. With any kind of change, little steps are what lead to big results. We hope some of these ideas will help you shore up your finances. Here are some of the quickest ways for truckers to cut personal spending: Have a Budget or Spending Plan in Place Building a Budget (or, “Spending Plan”) is the single most important action you can take to weather any financial storm. It’s extremely difficult to take control of your money tomorrow if you don’t know where it’s going today. Consider this plan your roadmap, and it’s going to help you reach your destination of being financially secure during hard times! Narrowing your spending focus to the absolute essentials can help you prioritize. Dave Ramsey talks about focusing on your “ Four Walls ” when this happens: Food Utilities Shelter Transportation Once you nail down those key areas, focus on budgeting for the near-term right now. The economy goes through cycles of being up and down. So when times are bad, focus on keeping your head above water until it turns around! Stay Healthy Serious illness has the potential to be a double-edged sword: If you can’t work then you can’t earn money, and if you couple less money coming in with large medical bills going out, your financial situation can degrade very quickly. Do everything you can to keep your health your top priority on the road! There’s nothing easy about doing this while driving in your truck, but there are ways to do so, and there are many great resources available to help you manage . Dust Off Your Negotiation Skills Debt and obligations take up a large chunk of the average American family’s monthly income. You should be doing everything you can to find out what you can do to save money on those obligations. Make a list of all your debts including mortgage, car loans, student loans, personal loans, medical bills, credit card debt, etc, Then, dust off those negotiation skills and call everyone you owe money to each month and ask about the options you have regarding your monthly payments. Review Your Personal Car Insurance Do you have any cars or vehicles that you aren’t using back home? Talk to an insurance agent about your coverage options! It doesn’t make sense to pay insurance on a car you aren’t driving. If you aren’t going to use a vehicle at all, consider dropping or suspending coverage entirely. For vehicles you still need to use: Drive whichever vehicles have the best fuel mileage Consider moving to liability-only coverage for vehicles that are completely paid off Consider increasing your deductible on other vehicles that require full/comprehensive coverage This is obviously specific to your financial situation, so be sure to speak with an insurance agent prior to making any changes so you are still properly insured as needed! Review Your Other Recurring Service Subscriptions Let’s review some common services folks pay for each month that you should review to see if you can find more affordable options: Cell Phone/Internet Did you know most major carriers offer discounted services that use the same towers as the major provider? Look into a few of these: Verizon: Visible, Total Wireless, Xfinity Mobile AT&T: Cricket Wireless, h2o Wireless, Consumer Cellular T-Mobile: Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, Republic Wireless Sprint: Boost Mobile, Tello Mobile, Twigby Cable/Live TV First, decide if you really need Live TV! If you do, there are a ton of affordable options out there that could potentially save you some money each month - here are just a few: Sling TV YouTube TV Hulu + Live TV AT&T TV Now Philo All of these options are cheaper than most, if not all, major cable subscriptions today. Streaming Subscriptions Want to replace Live TV with a subscription service? Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney+ (the list goes on & on) are all different companies offering streaming services these days. Take an honest and critical look at these services to figure out which ones you really want - if any - and cut the rest! Keep in mind that Netflix alone has (by some estimates) over 34,000 hours worth of content available to stream. Consider that before purchasing multiple services to get access to “more content!” Those monthly fees for each service can add up quickly, even if they’re each a small dollar amount. Music Subscriptions Do you really need to pay money to buy each song or album you want to listen to in the future? How about paying money each month to listen to your music without ads? If not, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and many others offer you all the music/podcasts you need to get through the day at $0.00 to you! You just need to sit through a few advertisements every now & then, and everything you could ever want to listen to is at your fingertips! Home Energy Bills Energy bills don’t typically come to mind as something we can cut expenses on, since they’re not really “discretionary” because we have no choice but to pay them. However, there are plenty of ways to make sure you are running a tight ship at home to make sure you aren’t paying more than you have to! Update your light bulbs to CFL or LED to save on energy consumption. They may cost more up front, but they last longer & use far less electricity, so they pay for themselves in the long run! Keep an eye on the thermostat! Chilly? Put on a sweater! Too hot? Open the windows! Do what you can to regulate your body temperature without breaking the bank to do it. Consider lowering the temperature on your hot water heater. The Department of Energy recommends keeping your temperature at 120 degrees, but most default settings are 140+ degrees. Take a look and make sure you aren’t wasting money on keeping that water hotter than it needs to be! Unplug unused electronics. “Phantom” or “Vampire” charges are small electrical currents that stay connected to the item when it’s plugged in but not in use, which is a totally unnecessary waste of money, and is easily saved by unplugging devices that aren’t being used! Turn the lights off & any electronics when you leave a room/space that you aren’t using - simple, but a big one to remember! Seal off air leaks. Check the doors and windows to see if you can find any areas you can seal off to keep that thermostat steady! Reduce expenses on the rest of your personal spending Cut out the Vices (Smoking, Drinking, etc.) There are plenty of ways to manage stress, have fun, and keep a positive outlook on life without spending money on those items - just do it! Groceries Make a list before you go! Studies say up to 70% of impulse purchases happen when shopping for groceries takes place when you don’t have a defined list to work off of. Also, use coupon/rebate apps to cut down on costs and/or earn cashback! Ibotta, Checkout 51, Paribus, etc. are all free and all are easy to use! Online Purchases If you DON’T NEED it, DON’T BUY it! However, if you really want to purchase an item, wait 24-48 hours after you put that item in your online shopping cart. Many times online retailers will email you rebates/discounts as items sit in your cart. Not only will this potentially save you money, but you may decide you don’t really NEED that item in the first place after the initial excitement of purchasing it wears off! Preventative Maintenance (for your personal life!) You’re already a pro at preventative maintenance on your truck, why not take the same disciplined approach for the rest of the belongings in your life? Take care of your home, your vehicles, and your appliances! Build time into your schedule to take care of your things, so that you don’t have to spend money to fix them or you don’t have to take additional time off to fix them. Finally, consider decluttering your home by selling or donating There are many online marketplaces where you can sell your items. And, there are many people/families who are in need of a lot of items. If you’d like to give back, folks would be extremely grateful for your kindness! This list is full of ideas, but it doesn’t include all the ideas out there! Do your research, ask around for advice, and we’re sure there are plenty of other ways to reel in your finances! We hope this list will help you make some purposeful decisions regarding your expenses. Our goal at ATBS is to always provide you with as much help and guidance as we can, and hopefully, this will help you prioritize your spending. Thank you to all truckers for keeping the world moving forward!

Here is a list of the most commonly asked business questions we receive from owner-operators, and our answers to those questions. Q: How do I keep track of how my business is doing? A: The best way to track the health of your business is by keeping good records of your revenue and expenses. You can do this by saving and recording all of your receipts and using them to build a profit and loss statement. With this, you’ll be able to see how your business is performing month to month. You can drill down further into your profit and loss statements by keeping track of expenses by category. From here you’ll be able to see the areas of your business where you’re struggling and the areas you can improve. Q: What’s my breakeven point? A: Your business typically has to pay for its own costs and support your personal needs. Your business plan should help you determine at what revenue point (daily, weekly, monthly, or at how many miles) you have to hit to cover all these costs. This is known as the breakeven point or breakeven miles. Factor in your personal costs as part of your business plan and re-evaluate costs at least every six months or whenever there is a significant change in your business or personal life. For example, consultants at ATBS work with small business owners on this process regularly and help customize their client’s plans to become their personal “profit plan.” This is the minimum amount of money you should aim to make or miles you should plan to drive in order to at least keep your business from losing money. Q: Should I have a trucking business plan? A: Before you start a trucking business, the first thing you should do is write up a business plan . Understanding how your business is going to operate might change over time, but writing out the basics will provide you with a roadmap. Q: What is Per Diem? A: In its simplest terms, the Per Diem deduction is a tax deduction that the IRS allows to substantiate ordinary and necessary business meal and incidental expenses paid or incurred while traveling away from home. The Per Diem rate is set by the IRS. The current rate (as of October 1, 2024) is $80 per day in the Continental US. You may hear the amount of the deduction quoted as $64. That is because the IRS usually only allows you to deduct 80% of that rate. Q: What is IFTA? A: The International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) is a pact between the lower 48 states and the ten Canadian provinces that require all interstate motor carriers to report fuel taxes. IFTA was put in place to replace the old fuel tax system, in which trucks were required to have a separate decal for every state they operated in. The current IFTA reporting system simplifies the hassle of reporting fuel tax for trucking companies (including owner-operators) who operate across IFTA jurisdictions by reducing paperwork and minimizing the compliance requirements. At the end of each quarter, you must submit an IFTA report that lists the miles driven and the gallons purchased. These reports will determine either the amount of tax still owed or the refund you are due. Keep in mind that IFTA is not an additional tax. IFTA was put into place to redistribute the tax to the states where the fuel is actually being used, not where it is purchased. This means no matter where you buy the fuel, you're paying the fuel tax in whatever states you're driving in. Q: What is HVUT? A: The Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax is a tax imposed yearly by the IRS on anyone who owns and operates a heavy highway vehicle (Class 6, 7, and 8 trucks are included) with a taxable gross weight of 55,000 lbs. or more on public roads. These taxes currently have a maximum of $550 per year (taxes increase as the taxable gross weight of the vehicle increases), and they are used for highway construction and maintenance. The FHUT tax season runs from July 1st until June 30th of each year, and is reported using the IRS Form 2290 . The form must be filed on the first month that the vehicle is used on public highways, not when the vehicle is registered. Q: What are the biggest expenses an owner-operator faces? A: Fuel, Truck, Insurance , Taxes, Food/Drink Q: How much should I plan on spending on fuel? A: On average, owner-operators may spend anywhere between $50,000 and $70,000 per year. Thanks to the ever-growing list of smartphone apps and fuel cards , you now have the tools you need to ensure you are paying the lowest price possible for fuel whenever you fill up. Q: How do I get the best fuel efficiency? A: Fuel is the largest annual business expense you will face every year as an owner-operator. Fortunately, it is also the expense that you have the most control over. You can control how fuel-efficient you make your truck/trailer, how fuel efficiently you drive with speed and braking, and even though you don’t control how much you pay for fuel you do have the ability to use fuel cards and other discounts to help reduce these costs. We have several resources in our Knowledge Hub about reducing fuel costs but a good place to start would be clicking here . Q: How much should I set aside for taxes? A: We recommend setting aside between 25% and 30% of weekly net income for quarterly taxes. Q: How much should I set aside for maintenance? A: At ATBS, we typically recommend saving between $0.07 - $0.15 cents per mile for general upkeep and repairs. Many factors play into this recommendation including age of equipment, driving habits, type of freight hauled, and more. Q: What business entity should I be? A: The three most common types of entities for owner-operators are sole proprietorship, S corporation, and a limited liability company (LLC). When deciding on your business structure, the two main factors to consider are owner liability and income taxation. Each structure comes with different tax consequences so it is important you make your decision based on your business needs. Here is a free e-Book that goes into much more detail on the different business structures. Q: Should I buy or lease my truck? A: It will be very difficult to purchase a truck upfront , which means you will have to decide whether to join a lease-purchase program with a carrier, or purchase a truck through a truck financing company. Through a lease-purchase program, you won’t own the truck, but you will be making monthly payments on the truck until the contract is up. At that point, you can purchase the truck or start a new contract with the same or different carrier. You can also decide to purchase a truck through a trucking-specific financing company. This way you don’t have to lease your truck through the carrier you decide to drive for. When you finance a truck, you slowly make payments on the truck until you eventually own it. Q: Should I drive on the spot market or lease onto a carrier? A: When a driver decides to become an owner-operator, most will make the decision to start by leasing with a carrier rather than getting their own authority . By doing this, you still have the freedom of being your own boss, but you will have the protection of a fleet to help you find loads and to help pay for some of the upfront costs. The breakeven point, as of 2025, for deciding between spot market and leasing onto a carrier is $.48/mile. If you can earn more than an additional $.48/mile by running on the spot market it might be worth making the switch. This $.48/mile is calculated from the additional costs that come with not leasing onto a fleet. You have to consider this along with the lack of security that comes with running on the spot market. Q: How do I decide what company to lease onto? A: A few of the things that should be considered are where you want to drive, what type of operation you want to run, and how the fleet treats owner-operators. Carriers will list what parts of the country you will be driving in and what types of freight you will be hauling. Once you have found a few options based on your driving preferences, you should do a little research on the reputation of each fleet. Figure out how much they pay per mile, if they pay their drivers on time, if they consistently have loads available, and any other information that is important to you in deciding what carrier to lease on to . Q: How much does it cost to get your own trucking authority? A: This list does not include the daily expenses owner-operators already face while leased onto a carrier, but rather new expenses unique to running with your own authority. The list also does not take into account the lost revenue from taking time off the road to make the switch to your own authority. The extra ramp-up expenses/lost wages must be considered in addition to what the table lists below: Truck: Lease: $1,600 - $2,500 per month Purchase: $50,000 - $200,000 Trailer: Lease: $500 - $600 per month Purchase: $25,000 - $50,000 Insurance: $15,000 - $30,000+ per year DOT number (Form MCS-150) and operating authority application (Form OP-1): A one time fee of $300 BOC-3 Form: A one time fee between $20 - $40 IFTA Decal: $10 per year IRP Credential: $1,700 per year Once you have an active U.S. DOT number, you must pay Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) fees: $59 per year Drug and Alcohol testing: $75 - $110 per year Load Board : $35 - $150 per month Of course, not everyone will experience the same expense totals during the switch to running their own authority. That said, we estimate that you should be prepared to spend an additional $30,000 for the first year under your own trucking authority. Another expense to consider is the cost to set up and run a business entity if you do not have one already. With these costs in mind, it’s important to look at your business & personal finances to make sure you are monetarily ready to make this switch. Overall, we estimate in the first year, you will need to generate, on average, $50,000 or $0.48/mile in additional revenue to make the switch financially worth it. Q: What insurance do I need? A: Owner-operators on their own authority need primary liability insurance, cargo, physical damage, bobtail, and non-trucking insurance. Owner-operators leased onto a carrier have primary liability coverage provided by the fleet, however, they usually still have to purchase bobtail, non-trucking, and physical damage insurance. Q: How much do owner-operators make a year? A: This can obviously vary drastically based on a multitude of factors, but the average net income for leased and independent operators combined is up to $64,000 in 2025. Q: How much should I pay myself? A: Oftentimes, lease-purchase owner-operators believe that if they decide to pay themselves a set salary then that is what they will be paying taxes on. Your "payroll" is the amount that is left over after all of your business expenses are paid and you’ve already set aside money for taxes. Q: How does ATBS help owner-operators? A: Over 150,000 owner-operators have made the choice to hire ATBS. We offer a variety of services, specifically for owner-operators, including accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation. We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help answer your questions and assist you in keeping your business successful and profitable. If you’d like to learn more about ATBS services or want to get started today, give us a call at 866-920-2827 or chat with us at www.atbs.com .

We wanted to take a moment to thank clients for the valuable feedback you've shared with us regarding the new ATBS Hub . Your insights have been instrumental in shaping the user experience, and we are thrilled to announce some exciting new features that have been added based on your suggestions. Here's a brief overview of the enhancements we've made so far: 08/26/25 Updates Updates to QTE language Added resubmission feature 12/04/24 Updates Added a message center to allow the ATBS team to request documents or information from clients in a streamlined format. Added a link to a brand new process for clients to complete their annual Tax Organizer. 08/20/24 Updates Added resources for ATBS Ride Clients Fixed bugs relating to the mileage tracker and ATBS Ride client data 07/23/24 Updates Improvements for analytics tracking Improvements to per diem notes Improvements to the Open Banking connection Add YTD Savings info and summary info for clients in the Rideshare industry Fix minor bugs and install patches and updates 06/29/24 Updates Updates to tools for clients with business entities. A mileage tracking tool for clients in the rideshare and gig driver industries. Optional Trip Notes: Users can now add an optional note to each trip. CSV Export: Users can easily download a summary of all trips in CSV format for their records. 04/02/24 Updates Added "What If" sections to Profit Plan 02/23/24 Updates The 2023 Personal Tax Organizer is now available to clients as a DocuSign Powerform that clients can launch themselves directly from their client Hub. 02/06/24 Updates Links will now open in the app if it is installed on your device Fixed multi-page navigation on small screen sizes Fixed Per Diem calendar auto-returning to the current month Fixed "Upload File" button not working on first tap in mobile on Safari 01/22/24 Updates Fixed P&L / Balance sheet table scroll Added P&L / Balance sheet download Updated language on the home page  Updated login page language Added the app version number to home page menu 12/21/23 Updates Login Experience The Hub now includes a “keep me logged in” feature so that the user can choose to stay logged in on trusted devices for an extended period of time. Username and Password can be saved. This is dependent upon the OS, device, browser, and user settings/options. Documents Increased file size limits. Access your device’s Camera Roll from directly within the Hub. Share documents/files to the Hub from other apps on your device. For example, share a PDF file in your device’s Email app directly to the ATBS Hub. Improved usability of the cropping tool. Profit & Loss Statements and Balance Sheets Added charts for YTD Miles and YTD Expenses. P&L and Balance Sheet drill-downs now show images of documents sent from any source (app, email, and physical documents). Previously, only documents that originated from the mobile app were displayed in the drill-downs. Fixed bugs related to the display of some P&L information, including Fuel Surcharge Revenue displaying correctly in the YTD Charts and some categories that errored for certain clients. Per Diem Added a “Year” option that allows clients to view/update the per diem for any year. When the “Year” is selected, the Per Diem Summary tile and the Calendar automatically display the selected year. Profit Plan Personal Obligations section added. Tax Updated language on the Quarterly Tax Estimates to make it easier to pay estimates. Added Tax Returns for clients who have multiple Returns in a single year. For example, business entity and personal returns, and married filing single returns for husband and wife. General Fixed numerous back-end items to improve stability, speed, usability, security, reporting, automations, and various other items. We believe these additions will greatly enhance your overall experience with the ATBS Hub and provide solutions to the challenges you've shared with us. We will continue to update this page as new updates continue to be rolled out. Thank you once again for being an integral part of our user community. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we look forward to continuously improving our services to meet your expectations.

Eating healthy in the semi is not the easiest thing in the world, as most drivers are aware. This is especially true for those of us who have specific dietary needs or restrictions. I make it my mission to avoid carbohydrates, and that is not the easiest thing to do given the options available on the road. This makes food prep during time at home a priority for me, because I want to be sure that I have snacks and meals that I love to eat without any of the guilt that goes with fast food or other options that don’t agree with my diet. I think for most people, there is danger in getting hungry and not having a quick way to satiate that hunger, which often leads to making poor food choices. To avoid this, I try to ensure that I have healthy snacks with me and within my reach, even when I’m driving. I like to have snack foods that aren’t going to veer me off course and keep me energized without spiking my sugars. I don’t eat very often throughout the day, which isn’t necessarily good. According to health experts, eating several small snacks or meals during the day actually keeps your metabolism running faster and more efficiently than having one big meal, which tricks the body into thinking it isn’t getting enough of what it needs, so it stores energy as fat! One of my go-to snacks is berries. They’re easy to put in snack bags and low in carbohydrates. I also recently invested in an egg cooker. It’s really small and convenient, and I can use it in the truck to make hard, medium, or soft-boiled eggs. The other great thing is that there are lots of places that actually sell cartons of eggs on the road, so boiled eggs have really become a go-to for me (and a boiled egg in the morning sets the pace for the metabolism). Another easy snack that I can keep right near the driver’s seat is a no-bake recipe, referred to as “energy balls.” They are really easy and fun to make, and you can whip up big batches and put them in gallon storage bags in the freezer or refrigerator. Actually, they don’t even need to be refrigerated. I just prefer them that way. These are a keto-friendly option, and they’re also gluten-free. They have minimal impact on the glycemic index. All you need is a big old mixing bowl and a few ingredients. The recipe can also be tweaked to your own specific taste: for example, if you like chocolate, you can use cocoa powder to enhance the recipe. I happen to be a cinnamon fanatic, so I add cinnamon to the recipe until I’m happy with the taste. This snack is extremely satisfying, and it will cure a sweet tooth craving without any guilt. If you’re interested in trying this recipe, here it is: Ingredients: 2 cups almond flour 2 cups coconut flour 1 cup unsweetened organic coconut flakes 1 cup Splenda brown sugar 0-calorie sweetener 1 cup Splenda (or store brand) granulated 0-calorie sweetener 1/2 cup Chia seeds 2 teaspoons fine-ground Himalayan pink sea salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 cups peanut butter (of your choice) 1/4 cup honey Directions: Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a very large mixing bowl. I prefer to use a whisk for this step.  When all of the dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed (be sure to break down any of the brown sugar and no-calorie sweetener if it clumps), add the peanut butter and honey. The consistency should be slightly lumpy, but not wet. Form into packed balls about 1 inch in diameter (approximately 1 tablespoon of the ingredients). Store in a sealed container or sealable freezer bags. For best results, place in freezer or refrigerator after making the balls. They can be eaten directly out of the freezer or refrigerator without the need for thawing. Most of the carbohydrates in this recipe do come from the honey, so if you choose not to add honey, you can instead add a bit more peanut butter for the correct consistency to form the energy balls.  Yield: 56 (1-inch diameter) energy balls Nutritional information: (one energy ball) 130 calories, 4 net carbohydrates

Owner-operators are not just responsible for calculating and paying their own taxes , they’re also responsible for deducting expenses, which can significantly lower their tax burden. Because of this, we often get asked about the common tax deductions that owner-operators can take advantage of. In this article, we will help answer this question by discussing some of the most overlooked owner-operator truck driver tax deductions. Are you a self-employed truck driver who needs help with your taxes? Click here! Insurance Business-related insurance can be deducted as a business expense. This could include cargo insurance, physical damage insurance, bobtail insurance, etc. Some health insurance related expenses can also be deducted. Meal Expenses The Per Diem deduction is a tax deduction that the IRS allows to substantiate ordinary and necessary business meal and incidental expenses paid or incurred while traveling away from home. The current rate (as of October 1, 2024) is $80 per day and $60 per partial day in the Continental US. You may see the deduction amount quoted as $64 per full day and $48 per partial day. That is because the IRS only allows you to deduct 80% of the Per Diem rate. If you are an owner-operator, the rule is simple, you get to claim the tax deduction for each day that you are away from your “tax home”. On the days that you depart and the days that you arrive at home, you must claim a partial day allowance instead of a full day allowance. That is ¾ of the standard allowance. However, you can't claim the deduction if you depart and arrive home on the same day. Fuel and Travel Any of the fuel costs that you face on the road along with any of the fuel taxes you have to pay when filing your quarterly IFTA report are tax deductible. You can also claim other fees like tolls and parking if they are incurred while traveling for work. Truck Supplies Many of the truck supplies that you need can be deducted, lowering your taxable income. A few examples of the supplies that can be deducted are: Chains Fire Extinguisher Ice Scraper Coffee Pot Microwave TV Refrigerator Mattress If the supplies are common to your profession and appropriate or helpful in developing or maintaining your business they can be considered tax deductible. Trucking Business Fees Any expense that is directly related to your business can be deducted when it comes time to file your taxes. Some of the more common trucking business fees to make sure you remember are: Dispatch Fees Licensing Fees Subscriptions Association Dues Factoring Fees Bank Fees Remember, all of these have to do directly with your trucking business. That means subscriptions, associations, or any education that is outside of trucking can’t be deducted. Medical Expenses Truck drivers are required to get regular DOT medical fitness exams in order to maintain their CDL. You can deduct the cost of these exams as a business expense. Any medical exams or treatments that are not directly work-related are only deductible as personal expenses, not business, and you can only claim them if you itemize your deductions. Maintenance Generally, if a maintenance repair makes the equipment better, restores the equipment back to its normal condition, or modifies the property for a new or different use, then the expense can be depreciated over several years. Maintenance expenses that don’t fall under these categories can be deducted in full in the same year the expense was paid. A few examples of maintenance expenses that can be deducted are: Repairs Parts Labor Oil Tires Tools A simple rule of thumb when it comes to maintenance expenses is “If you repair stuff, you can deduct it”. Office Supplies Office supplies are tangible and traditional items regularly used in offices by businesses or organizations. A few examples of the office supplies that can be deducted are: Calculator Paper Pens Envelopes Stapler Any office supplies that were used during the year that were needed to help run the business side of your trucking operation can be considered tax deductible. Personal Supplies Not all personal supplies are considered tax deductible. In order for personal supplies to be considered tax deductible they have to be ordinary and necessary for operating your business. A few examples of personal supplies that can be deducted are: Uniforms Gloves Motel Boots Showers Reflective Vests Sunglasses Fire-resistant Clothing This is a broad tax deduction category that you will really have to think about. Keeping in mind the words ‘ordinary’ and ‘necessary’ will make it easier to decide whether or not an item is tax deductible. However, items such as shirts and jeans are considered everyday clothing and are not deductible. Communication Similar to the previously mentioned truck driver tax deductions, any technology needed for communication in order to run your business can be considered a deductible expense. As a truck driver, there are many methods of communication that you will be able to deduct from your taxes. A few examples of communication that can be deducted are: CB Radio Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Cell Phone Internet Radio Keep in mind that these methods of communication need to be used strictly for business. Non-Deductible Expenses Here is a list of some of the common expenses that aren’t tax deductible: Commuting expenses Clothing that isn't part of your uniform Personal trips Reimbursed expenses Make sure you aren’t claiming these examples or any other expenses that aren’t necessary and ordinary for your business. Want to know more about owner-operator truck driver tax deductions? Keep in mind that there are many other overlooked tax deductions that truck drivers aren’t aware they can take advantage of. For our complete list of owner-operator truck driver tax deductions, check out our Tax Deductions for Truck Drivers List . If you have any questions, give us a call at 866-920-2827.

GPS devices have become an important part of our society. Many individuals utilize the GPS function on their cell phones to help them map out their commutes or plan a trip. However, as a truck driver, it can be difficult to maintain safe driving habits, while using the GPS features on your phone. Furthermore, the GPS functions on your cell phone don’t have the capabilities that you need as a truck driver. Thankfully, there are several advancements that have been made to the GPS devices on the market, supporting you in keeping your trucking business between lines and on the road. If you are a trucker looking for a new GPS device for your truck there are several features to keep in mind, to ensure accessibility and durability. Detailed Mapping Many GPS devices have been created specifically for truck drivers and the numerous vehicles they drive. The truck-specific mapping feature allows you to update your GPS with your truck weight, height, length, and specifics that may affect your route. This feature gives you the confidence to know that your route will be appropriately mapped out to ensure that you arrive at your destination safely and on time. Route and Mileage Capabilities The newest technology for GPS devices has enhanced features that allow you to receive current information about traffic, road closures, road infrastructure changes, and road work. This allows you to compare and pick from various routes to your destination to help you mitigate any delays and reduce your costs. Additionally, some GPS devices will update you when there is excessive engine idling to help you reduce fuel expenses. Driver Safety GPS devices allow you to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road with voice assistants that provide directions to help you navigate your drive. They also come with features to warn you when you are going over the speed limit or braking too hard to mediate possible accidents. Some devices have Bluetooth connectivity that is paired with Siri and Google Now. As a result, you are able to connect your GPS to your smartphone, allowing you to make hands-free phone calls and receive text messages safely. Approved Roadways Now let’s talk about features specifically for GPS units meant for truck drivers. A good GPS for truck drivers will plan routes based on roads that are approved for semi-trucks. All you have to do is put in your truck’s information, including height, weight, length, and cargo. When the GPS knows this information, it will handle all the hassle of planning your route accordingly. Drive Assist Features A GPS for truck drivers will come stored with information that only a truck driver would be interested in knowing. They will have information on repair services, tow services, truck stops, weigh stations, rest stops, and more. These systems will also give information about curves, steep inclines, and narrow roads. Finally, a good GPS for truck drivers will provide lane assist to make sure you are in the correct lane in order to make an exit. Conserving Fuel Fuel is one of the most significant expenses that a trucker will face. That is why it’s important that your GPS can provide you with information in order to conserve fuel and make sure you aren’t spending too much. When you plan your route, a good GPS will let you know where to stop in advance to fill up with the most cost-effective fuel. Your GPS can also alert you if you are driving excessively fast or deviating from your planned route. Trip Logging Your ELD has to be synchronized with the truck’s engine to comply with the FMCSA’s ELD Mandate . This means that your GPS cannot be used as your approved ELD. However, the data that your GPS keeps can be used to verify that the numbers from your ELD are accurate. GPS units today can monitor your hours of service, driving status, hours of sleep, mileage, and IFTA fuel data . Fleet Management A collection of GPS units for truck drivers can also be used by a fleet manager to see the specific location of all of the trucks on the road. This can help improve the customer service of the company by allowing the manager to let shippers and receivers know how close their driver is to arriving at their destination. Managers can also make sure their drivers are on the correct route and driving appropriately. User-Friendly Interface When it comes to being in the trucking business every minute counts. This means that it is important to find a GPS device that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Look for a device with intuitive controls and easy-to-read instructions. Furthermore, you may want to find a GPS device that has ELD integration, which can automatically track and log your hours of service. Durability You and your truck spend so much time on the road, it is important to find a GPS device that will endure the rough terrain and hard weather to ensure longevity. Look for a device that can withstand hot and cold temperatures, since it will be sitting near a window in your truck. There are also some devices that have a rugged waterproof casing and reinforced corners to handle the demands of the road. Best GPS Units for Truck Drivers Now that you know about the features that are available to you when purchasing a GPS, here are the highest rated GPS units for truck drivers that are on the market. Garmin Garmin is a well-known and trusted trucking GPS brand. Their devices have customizations available, which allow users to select different truck-specific settings, such as height, weight, and length. This information allows the GPS to generate the most efficient route for your specific vehicle. Garmin 010-02313-00 dezl OTR700, 7-inch GPS Truck Navigator Large display with its bright and crisp touchscreen display with long battery life Load-to-dock guidance: Guidance shows potential loading zones or storage lots to help clarify where you need to go See popular truck routes used by other truckers Driver Alerts: warn you of upcoming sharp curves, speed changes, railroad crossing, and more. Truck-Friendly Parking: See truck-specific parking at truck stops and rest stops along your route while connected to the Garmin Drive app paired with your GPS-enabled smartphone. Easy Break Planning: Receive timely notifications that help you make the most of each stop. Voice Assistant: Your voice assistant responds to your spoken requests Wireless Updates: Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity makes it easy to keep your maps and software up to date without using a computer Traffic, Weather, and Fuel: Download the Garmin Drive app to access live traffic, weather, and real-time fuel prices. Plus, access to photoLive traffic cameras. Learn more: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/search/?query=GPS Rand McNally Another popular choice for truck drivers is the Rand McNally brand. Their GPS devices have accurate and truck-specific mapping and hazard updates. Additionally, they offer Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing access to real-time traffic updates adjusting routes based on traffic patterns and road work. Their designs are built to withstand life on the road with a strong mount firmly holding the GPS in place, along with thermal resistance allowing for extended use. Rand McNally TND 550 Truck GPS Voice guidance: get advanced notifications of what’s ahead, such as turns, steep grades, or complicated interchanges Advanced routing: compare routes, use multi stop routing, and add up to 10 stops per route Exits quick view: quickly view amenities such as travel centers and fuel stops at upcoming exits Fuel prices and logs: view fuel prices on the map, then track fuel purchases and calculate fuel economy Service alerts: set service and maintenance alerts for your vehicle 3-D junction view: view upcoming junctions in 3-D with a split screen display with lane guidance for managing complex interchanges Warning: Set warning for speed limit changes, sharp curves and more Weather: Show the current forecast, or choose 10 different map overlays, like precipitation and wind speed. Toll costs: view estimated toll costs, compare routes without tolls, and plan routes to lower costs Millions of POI Listings: detailed information on travel centers, weight stations, service and repair stops. Address book: group and sort by name or distance, add custom POIs, then choose icons to display on the map. Learn More: https://store.randmcnally.com/truck-navigation.html TomTom TomTom is known for their intuitive interfacing, user-friendly controls, and accurate mapping. Their devices include voice-guided navigation, live traffic updates, and real-time speed camera alerts. They are slim, and lightweight, making them easy to mount. TomTom Trucker 620 6-Inch GPS Navigation Device with Wi-Fi Connectivity Active Magnetic Mount TomTom MyDrive: Plan routes, check live traffic, and save favorite POIs from your smartphone, tablet, or PC Customized truck routing: get customized routes for your vehicle type, size, weight, cargo, and speed, making your journeys more time efficient. Customized truck routing takes the guesswork out of driving, giving you a realistic arrival time and a safer journey. Compatible with Siri and Google Now: Activate and talk to Siri or Google Now by tapping a button and using the microphone on your TomTom Trucker. It can read messages aloud from your phone with your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Needs Wi-Fi to update the device Learn More: https://www.tomtom.com/en_us/navigation/gps/ Xgody Xgody is a lesser-known GPS device known for their offline capabilities and reasonable prices. AV-in XGODY 8GB ROM SAT NAV System Navigator Includes Bluetooth and AV-In Battery is built in, but needs a charge every 1 hour or so (Car charger 12-36V/2A Charging time is 2-3 hours Voice narration Lane navigation: which lane to go when encountering multi-lanes Custom quick search POI you can find gas stations, restaurants, railway stations, airports, and hotels near you. Supports multimedia functions. You can enjoy the movie MPS when you are tired and want to have a rest. Set up your truck profile to customize personalized navigation routes according to the height, length, and weight of the truck. Intelligently avoid the risks which may have route time, speed limit, height limit, width limit, weight limit etc. Learn more: https://xgody.com/collections/best-navigation-gps Don’t Throw Away the Atlas Although these GPS devices are specifically designed for truck drivers, it is still recommended that drivers have a physical map with them at all times. Technology continues to advance but still can’t be 100% trusted. Systems fail, break, run out of battery, etc. However, these GPS devices should work most of the time and allow you to be able to operate your truck as efficiently as possible.

As an owner-operator truck driver, your tax situation is unique. You file and pay taxes like a business owner while also being eligible for deductions that are specific to truck drivers. If you’re looking for more information on how to file and pay taxes as an owner-operator truck driver, we’re here to help. Below is a brief overview of how to handle and manage owner-operator taxes. Are you a self-employed truck driver that needs help with your taxes, accounting, or bookkeeping? Click here! Estimated Tax Payments As an independent contractor, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires you to make quarterly estimated tax payments based on your business profits. Your quarterly estimated tax payments include: Self-employment tax: The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. It consists of Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) taxes. Federal Income Tax and State Income Tax: This is calculated on your tax return. Those who expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes are required to make quarterly payments of self-employment and income taxes. When you are self-employed the payment of Social Security and Medicare taxes is your responsibility. This is unlike those individuals who are classified as an employee as these taxes would be withheld from a paycheck and paid by an employer. How can you estimate your taxes owed each quarter? There are two common methods for estimating tax: Safe harbor: Slightly simplified, this method is calculated by dividing your prior year's tax liability by four to arrive at the amount to pay for each quarterly tax estimate. Actual estimate: This method is a far more useful method to calculate quarterly tax estimates for those with fluctuating income. This method uses the business’ current year profit each quarter to calculate the amount to pay during each quarter. This ensures that you are keeping current with tax payments during your business’ growth throughout the year and prevents any surprises during tax filing. For new independent contractors, it is recommended to use the actual income method for estimating quarterly taxes. Put time aside on your calendar each quarter to work through tax estimates. Do not wait until the last minute as penalties can apply. Tax Deductions and Credits Lower Tax Liability When it comes time to file your taxes, you can minimize your tax liability by claiming every legal tax deduction and credit available. Understanding and recording all the deductions and credits appropriately will help you avoid penalties, reduce the risk of an audit, and minimize the amount you have to pay in taxes. Tax Deductions A tax deduction occurs when you have a reduction of taxable income, like an expense. The reduction of your taxable income results in less tax due. As an owner-operator truck driver, you have numerous tax deductions for your business including: Your truck payment Fuel Accounting and bookkeeping fees Office supplies Maintenance fees Uniforms Licenses and permits Communication Fees Insurance Any expense that you have record of and is “ordinary and necessary” for your business can be considered tax deductible. For our list of commonly missed owner-operator truck driver tax deductions, check out our Tax Deductions for Truck Drivers List . Tax Credits Tax credits work very differently than tax deductions. Tax credits will reduce your tax liability dollar-for-dollar while tax deductions reduce your taxable income. This means if you owe $5,000 in taxes and receive a $4,000 tax credit, you will only be responsible for paying $1,000 in taxes. A few common examples of tax credits are: Child tax credit Earned income credit Child and dependent care tax credit American opportunity credit Reduce the Risk of Audit on Your Business The IRS is tasked with selecting taxpayers for audit in two ways: The first is if they suspect dishonesty or practices that do not adhere to tax law; the second is a random selection of tax returns for audit to check tax compliance. To reduce the likelihood of a tax audit and reply to a random audit, it is important to claim tax deductions and tax credits for which you have documentation and support. Without supporting documents, the IRS may disallow the deductions or credits and charge interest and penalties. Keep receipts, canceled checks, electronic log books, and other valid proofs of payment documentation for a minimum of three years. Per Diem Per Diem (per day) is one of your largest tax deductions as an owner-operator, but what is it exactly? In its simplest terms, the Per Diem deduction is a tax deduction that the IRS allows to substantiate ordinary and necessary business meal and incidental expenses paid or incurred while traveling away from home. The IRS allows transportation workers, subject to the hours of service regulations that travel for business, to deduct their meal expenses from their income. The per diem rate is set by the IRS. The current rate (as of October 1, 2024) has been increased to $80 per day in the Continental US. You may hear the amount of the deduction quoted as $64. That is because the IRS only allows you to deduct 80% of the Per Diem rate. IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Per Diem rate from January 1, 2024 - September 30, 2024, was $69 per day in the Continental United States. This means you will need to calculate your total Per Diem deduction using two different Per Diem rates. You need to keep this in mind when you are filing your 2024 taxes. If you are an owner-operator, the rule is simple, you get to claim the tax deduction for each day that you are away from your “tax home”. On the days that you depart and the days that you arrive at home, you must claim a partial day allowance instead of a full day allowance. That is ¾ of the standard allowance. To learn more about Per Diem, click here . Depreciation and Section 179 Section 179 doesn’t increase the total amount you can deduct, but it allows you to get your entire depreciation deduction in one year, rather than taking it a little at a time over the term of an asset’s useful life. This is called first-year expensing or Section 179 expensing. (Expensing is an accounting term that means currently deducting a long-term asset.) You qualify for the Section 179 deduction only if you buy long-term, tangible personal property that you use in your business more than 50% of the time. Under Section 179, you can deduct the cost of tangible personal property (new or used) that you buy for your business. There is a limit on the total amount of business property expenses that you can deduct each year under Section 179. The maximum was increased in 2024 to $1,220,000. The phase-out threshold was also increased to $3,050,000. You don’t have to claim the full amount, it’s up to you to decide how much to deduct under Section 179. Whatever amount you don’t claim under Section 179 must be depreciated instead over the life of the asset. The main advantage of Section 179 is it lets you take a higher deduction immediately. By receiving a higher depreciation deduction today, a business will reduce its current tax bill. This deduction is especially helpful for new businesses that may be having cash-flow troubles. Two of the major disadvantages are as your income increases, it will move into a higher tax rate. By accelerating your business's deductions, you will have fewer options in the future to reduce your taxes when your business may be in a higher tax bracket. Another disadvantage of the accelerated method is that it has a greater risk of recaptured depreciation. You may decide to sell a long-term asset before it is considered worthless according to its depreciation schedule. Proper planning can help you make the best possible decision on depreciation. Additional Taxes Employee Tax Do you have employees working for your business? If so, you must collect taxes on behalf of your employees including: Social Security Medicare Federal and state income tax The amount of taxes to withhold from each employee’s wages starts with a calculation that begins with the employee’s Form W-4. The Form W-4 is prepared by the employee and provided to the employer. The taxes calculated and withheld from an employee’s paycheck must be sent to the federal and state government based on their specific rules. Excise Tax Excise tax is considered an indirect form of taxation because the government does not directly apply the tax during the income tax filing process. An intermediary, either the producer or merchant, is charged and then must pay the tax to the government. Excise tax can apply to businesses in a variety of ways based on your industry, the product or service you provide, and where you operate your business. A couple of common excise taxes that apply to trucking are: Form 2290 Federal Highway Use Tax (FHUT) Diesel Fuel Tires Purchases made on specific types of consumables or goods (such as fuel) and certain activities (such as a truck using a highway) are subject to excise taxes. Franchise Tax Franchise taxes are paid by certain entities (corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies) that do business in certain states. These may be considered “privilege” taxes as they allow a business the right to operate in a certain state or locality. Property Tax Property taxes are due if you own property or real estate and it must be paid to the local government. Gross Receipts Tax Gross receipts taxes are imposed by some states on businesses instead of a state income tax. In these states, gross receipts (revenues) of the business are taxed. Some states allow deductions for gross receipts tax and some states exempt certain types of businesses. ATBS can help you determine if you are responsible for this tax and if a deduction is applicable. Common Tax Questions Q: How much should I set aside for business taxes? A: It is recommended to set aside 25-28% of your weekly net income for quarterly taxes. Q: I cannot get my taxes done on time. What should I do? A: If you can’t get your taxes done in time, file a one-time 6 month extension. However please keep in mind, It is an extension to file not an extension to pay. Q: Will I receive a tax refund? A: This is very dependent on your individual situation, however, it’s not likely if you are an owner-operator. You should work hard to being owed as little as possible. Remember, if you are getting a refund, you have given the government an interest free loan. Q: Will my tax preparer send me my 1099-NEC form? A: No, your carrier will send you your 1099-NEC form. Q: I did not pay my quarterly tax estimates this year. What is going to happen? A: The IRS will charge underpayment penalties and interest for the tax not paid. For more common tax questions that we’ve answered, click here . Lease vs. Purchase If you’re leasing your truck, you can deduct each month’s payment from your taxes. This means if you purchased your truck, you’ll typically see a higher deduction in the first two years due to depreciation. However, because of the depreciation schedule, by the fourth year, you’ll have very little depreciation left. That means the driver who is leasing their truck will see a tax benefit compared to the driver who purchased. Additionally, the driver who purchased their truck will see a tax delay. This is because the tax will still have to be paid in later years, as it’s not eliminated by depreciation. Preparing and Filing Taxes Who is currently preparing and filing the taxes for your business? A non-specialized provider? A family member or yourself? A local accountant? If you are using any of the options above, you may be paying more tax than you need to. Continuously changing tax laws make it hard for any business owner to understand and accurately file and pay taxes. Filing accurately and maximizing deductions to reduce the tax burden starts with choosing a specialized business provider for your industry. Using ATBS to prepare your federal, state, and local taxes can translate to an easy and seamless tax preparation process. With ATBS, there are just three easy steps to file your taxes: Send ATBS all your business receipts Complete our tax organizer Be available for follow-up questions ATBS will take this information and make sure you receive every tax deduction you deserve while remaining in compliance with the IRS. We give each return personalized attention, including an extensive review process by a tax professional, to make sure it’s done right. Throughout the year, we’ll also provide you with your tax estimate amounts so you know how much to pay. Tax estimates are calculated on “actual profit” and can be accessed on a secure online portal anytime, anywhere. At ATBS, we have helped more than 150,000 owner-operators over the past 20 years run a better business. We offer a variety of services including bookkeeping, accounting, and tax preparation, which will provide you with the best outcome when filing your tax return. We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help you keep your business “between the lines” just like rumblestrips on the highway keep your truck between the lines. If you’d like to learn more about ATBS services or want to get started today, give us a call at 866-920-2827 .

As an owner-operator, you’re a small business owner. That means you can’t just focus on how much money you’re making, you also have to focus on how much money you’re spending. Would you rather watch, or listen, to this article in video format? Click here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awPcYaaiNxA Owner-operators have to deal with many of the same common business expenses. Understanding these expenses, and figuring out how to minimize the amount of money coming out of your pocket, is an important task for any business owner. ATBS is here to help, as we identify five of the biggest expenses faced by owner-operators and how you can better manage them. Are you a 1099 truck driver who needs help managing your expenses? Click here! Fuel Fuel costs are the largest expense for most owner-operators. On average, you may spend between $60,000 and $80,000 a year on fuel, based on recent diesel prices averaging around $3.50 to $3.75 per gallon.. The easiest way to figure out how much you can expect to spend on fuel is by calculating your truck’s average cost per mile. This can be calculated by dividing the number of miles you expect to drive by your average MPG and then multiplying that number by the fuel cost per gallon. As a truck driver, you actually have some control over how much money you spend on fuel. There are several ways you can modify your driving habits right now that can put extra money in your pocket: Slow down - generally, 10 mph equals 1 mpg Find the “sweet spot” - lower RPMs burn less fuel Be smart with braking Stay in higher gears when possible Minimize idling To learn more about each of these topics and put these practices into action, read our article here . Truck & Maintenance Your truck is the second biggest expense you’ll face as an owner-operator. Truck expenses include the truck payment, maintenance, and tires. Even if your truck is completely paid off, maintenance and tire costs are still enough to be your second biggest expense. On average, maintenance is around 10% of total expenses. The most important thing you can do to keep your maintenance costs down is to plan preventative maintenance around home time. Try to catch stuff before it becomes a serious issue so you can wait for the part you will eventually need or get it fixed quickly before it becomes a big issue. This can be done with good pre and post-trip inspections and checking for any leaks or drips. The best way to manage your maintenance is to overestimate how much money you will need for truck repairs and put that money into a dedicated maintenance account. Tire expenses will vary between $1,000 and $4,000 each time they are replaced. Before buying tires, take into account the cost of the tires as well as their life expectancy. Insurance Insurance on a single truck typically starts at around $3,000 - $4,000 for a leased owner-operator and $15,000 - $30,000 for an owner-operator with authority . Insurance expenses can rise depending on how extensive the coverage is. Some of the different types of insurance that are typically required include bobtail, occupational accident, and physical damage. On top of your truck insurance, you will also need health insurance, which averages around $6,000 - $12,000 per year. Insurance is an expense that can vary significantly, depending on how much you want to pay. However, paying less for insurance usually means a higher deductible, which comes with a greater risk if an accident were to occur. To learn more about insurance, click here . Food and Drink Food and drink is a large expense that owner-operators might not expect. Eating out at restaurants every day can add up quickly. However, owner-operators are given a tax deduction known as Per Diem . The IRS allows you to deduct 80% of $80 for every full day on the road and $60 for every partial day on the road. Even though these costs are tax deductible, it is money you still have to spend. The easiest way to lower your food and drink costs is to buy food at the grocery store and keep it cold in your truck. The cost of groceries is a lot cheaper and healthier than eating out at restaurants. Taxes As an independent contractor, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires you to make quarterly estimated tax payments based on your business profits. Your quarterly estimated tax payments include: Self-employment tax: The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%. It consists of Social Security (12.4%) and Medicare (2.9%) taxes. Federal Income Tax and State Income Tax: This is calculated on your tax return. Those who expect to owe at least $1,000 in taxes are required to make quarterly payments of self-employment and income taxes. ATBS recommends that drivers set aside between 25 and 30 percent of their weekly net income for quarterly taxes . When you are self-employed the payment of Social Security and Medicare taxes is your responsibility. This is unlike those individuals who are classified as an employee as these taxes would be withheld from a paycheck and paid by an employer. When it comes time to file your taxes, you can minimize your tax liability by claiming every legal tax deduction and credit available. Understanding and recording all the deductions and credits appropriately will help you avoid penalties, reduce the risk of an audit, and minimize the amount you have to pay in taxes. How to Manage Your Expenses Know Your Numbers Do you know your break-even point? Do you know your cost or profit per mile? Don't operate your business in the dark. Make sure you keep your numbers up to date so you know how to stay profitable. Keep Good Records A good business always tracks its financials and monitors them at least monthly. A profit and loss statement can be used to make sure you are reaching your revenue and expense goals to hit the bottom line you need to achieve your own personal success. Plan Your Routes Aside from just taking the shortest route, plan out when you're going to get to certain places on your trip and where you're going to fill up. If possible, avoid driving through places at times you know there will be a lot of traffic and fill up in places where the net price will be lowest. Maximize Your Time If your truck isn’t running, you aren’t making money. Make sure you’re managing your time to make each week profitable. Don’t sit for long periods of time when you don’t have to. When you’re forced to shut down, use this time to be productive and complete tasks that need to get done. Anything you can’t do yourself, outsource to different services and professional partners. These expenses could be seen as investments that may actually save or make you money in the long run. Work With Professional Business Partners Running a business is difficult. It’s even harder when you’re on the road driving all day. Having someone who can help you run the business side of trucking can be a big asset. It can also be a tax deduction . Paying a company to help you with your accounting and bookkeeping allows you to focus on what you love...driving your truck! Over 150,000 owner-operators have made the choice to hire ATBS over the past 20 years. We offer a variety of services including accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation . We also offer unlimited business consulting for our RumbleStrip Professional clients. A dedicated business consultant will help you keep your business “between the lines,” just like rumblestrips on the highway. If you’d like to learn more about ATBS services or want to get started today, give us a call at 866-920-2827.

Even though semi-trucks aren’t known for their fuel efficiency, there are steps you can take to help improve how much fuel you’re using. In a previous article, we talked about how you can drive your truck more efficiently . In this article, we’ll discuss some of the quick and relatively cheap changes you can make to your truck to improve fuel efficiency. All of these suggestions shouldn’t take a large investment and are changes that can be made in a short amount of time. Pay Attention to Aerodynamics Aerodynamics contributes to 50% of your truck’s overall fuel economy. This is why one of the goals when it comes to spec’ing your truck should be to minimize aerodynamic drag. Aerodynamic drag is the force that makes it harder for a truck to go forward and it’s caused when air is no longer smoothly flowing around the truck and trailer. There are many improvements you can make to your truck to improve its aerodynamics. Below is a list of a few of the most common: Drive Fenders - The first chance to allow air to pass smoothly along the rest of the vehicle Cab Extenders - Reduces the airflow between the tractor and trailer where there is often a larger gap Wheel Covers - Closes gaps in the wheel to prevent air from getting into the crevices Side Skirts - Prevent air from going underneath the trailer by keeping it flowing smoothly along the side Trailer Tail - The tapered shape reduces drag from the low-pressure wake created behind the trailer These are just a few of the more common upgrades you can make to your truck and trailer to make it more fuel-efficient. The idea is to have everything working together on the truck and trailer to make the entire tractor-trailer as fuel-efficient as possible. Tires In addition to wheel covers, there are many things you need to pay attention to when it comes to your tires in order to improve fuel efficiency. One thing drivers are beginning to do is move to wide-based tires instead of conventional dual rib tires. Wide-based tires may help increase overall MPG by up to 4% due to their lower rolling resistance. Keep in mind that if you decide to put new tires on your truck it takes them approximately 35,000 to 50,000 miles before they are properly broken in. This will be when you really begin to notice a change in your fuel efficiency. Tires that are properly worn can give up to a 7% increase in fuel economy. Make sure to also keep your tires properly inflated. Not only will it help keep you safe and prevent possible blowouts, but if every tire is underinflated by at least 10 psi, you will see a 1% reduction in your fuel economy. Lubricants Using fuel-efficient lubricants is a change you can make with little to no increased investment that can help improve your fuel efficiency. Lubricants limit the damage of important components of the vehicle including the engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Without lubricants, these parts of your vehicle will grind together causing wear and tear. If you’re looking for a fuel-efficient lubricant, you should look for a low-viscosity lubricant that meets your vehicle’s requirements. Manufacturers generally consider low-viscosity blends as “fuel economy” lubricants, since the fuel-saving potential can be significant. Low-viscosity lubricants are less resistant to flow than conventional lubricants, helping reduce friction and energy losses. With a good low-viscosity lubricant, you could see between 0.5% and 2% savings in fuel efficiency depending on speeds and the temperature. While fuel-efficient lubricants typically cost more than conventional lubricants, for most trucks, the fuel cost savings generally outweigh the higher product cost. The combination of low-viscosity engine oils and drivetrain lubricants can save up to 500 gallons of fuel per year. This doesn’t even include the additional cost savings due to reduced component wear and maintenance. Additional Recommendations Think About Your Fuel Make sure you’re aware of the type of diesel you’re using and the amount you’re using. The type of diesel you’re using will make a difference in the performance of your truck. There will be a difference in fuel depending on the seasons and the weather. Make sure you’re using thicker fuel in the winter in places that will be cold. You’ll need to keep this in mind if you’re going from hot to cold temperatures or cold to hot temperatures. It’s also important to not overfill your tank. High temperatures can lead to fuel expansion in the tanks, which can lead to overflowing, which can lead to wasted fuel, which is wasted money. Too much fuel can also lead to extra weight which will lead us to our next point. Eliminate Unnecessary Weight Aside from extra fuel and big changes you need to make to your truck or trailer, there are ways to eliminate extra weight. Obviously, you have to haul the weight of the load you’re carrying. But there are other things you can eliminate. Take out anything you don’t need in your cab such as unnecessary tools or extreme amounts of food and clothing. Anything that adds significant weight to your truck should have significant use to you. Make sure what you’re carrying is what you need. Keep Your Equipment Maintained Pre-trip and post-trip inspections should be a part of your daily routine when you’re on the road. If you notice things that are broken or damaged on your truck, make sure you’re getting them looked at and potentially fixed. On top of avoiding major maintenance down the road, you can discover leaks, damage, corrosion, and other factors that could harm your fuel efficiency. A couple of simple things you should make sure stay maintained are wheel alignments and air filters. Wheels fighting against each other will decrease fuel efficiency and a clogged air filter can increase fuel consumption. Reduce Idle Time On average, truck drivers idle six to eight hours a day and as many as 250 to 300 days a year. Idling increases fuel consumption as well as increases engine maintenance costs. When you’re parked somewhere for a while, it’s better that you turn the engine off instead of idle. Auxiliary power units (APUs) and generators are a good alternative to idling your truck when parked. APUs are diesel-powered engines installed on the truck that can provide air conditioning, heat, and electrical power as well as run accessories like lights, equipment, and appliances. These are just a few of the ways you can make your truck more fuel-efficient without having to buy completely new equipment or make expensive upgrades. The money spent on these changes will pay for itself after saving money you would’ve spent on fuel. It will take some trial and error to find out what needs to be done to make your truck as fuel-efficient as possible. -- Sources https://freightliner.com/blog-and-newsletters/how-to-get-the-semi-truck-fuel-economy-you-were-promised/ https://keeptruckin.com/blog/spec-vehicles-fuel-mileage https://www.freightwaves.com/news/getting-the-right-specs-for-fuel-efficiency https://partsandservice.kenworth.com/articles/title/improve-your-trucks-fuel-economy https://www.fleetowner.com/running-green/fuel/article/21660208/fuel-economy-101 https://www.worktruckonline.com/153517/6-ways-to-save-on-fuel-with-medium-duty-truck-specs https://www.noregon.com/how-to-improve-fleet-fuel-economy/

Every month you get the statement in the mail and hesitate. Can I pay more this month? Or should I only pay the minimum balance? Too often we just opt to pay the minimum balance and promise ourselves we’ll make a bigger payment next month. However, if you make only the minimum payment each month, you could end up paying thousands in total interest. Not to mention, it will take you years to pay it off. So what do you do? Add It All Up Collect all of your credit card statements for the month, and make a list. Include the following information in your list for each card: The name/type of card The current balance The interest rate The minimum payment The monthly due date Find out how much total debt you have, and what your total monthly minimum payments are. Also note which credit card has the highest interest rate, and which has the highest balance. Ask Creditors For A Lower Rate If you make your payments on time and you have a good credit score, it doesn’t hurt to give your creditor a call and ask for a lower interest rate. If you get one or two percentage points lower, it can end up saving you hundreds of dollars annually. Transfer Your Balance Consider transferring your balances to a lower-rate credit card. While transferring a balance to a different card can be a smart move, it’s important to take a few factors into consideration first. Only transfer the balance if you’re committed to paying off the debt within the introductory low-rate window, which typically expires 6-21 months after the first billing cycle. Oftentimes the introductory rate is low, but the rate can skyrocket later. Avoid making any new purchases on your new card as sometimes the low-interest rate won’t apply to them. Keep in mind that you may also be charged a balance transfer fee which is usually 3-4 percent of the total amount transferred. Create A Budget Create a profit plan to show you how much money you can expect to keep each month after your expenses are paid. Once your profit plan is complete, find out what the maximum amount of money is that you can pay towards credit card debt. Is it more than your total minimum monthly payments? If so, great! This means you can pay extra to your credit cards each month. Stash Your Cards Start getting used to paying cash for all of your expenses moving forward, and stash your credit cards in a drawer at home. Don’t cancel the cards, just keep them in a place that isn’t easy to access. When you get into the habit of paying cash for all of your expenses, you’ll become more mindful of how much you’re spending. Pay Off One Card At A Time Once you’re ready to tackle your debt, choose the card with the highest interest rate, and pay this one off first. Keep paying the minimum payment on your other cards, and apply all extra money to this one high-rate card. Once that card is paid off, move to the next highest interest rate. If you have cards with the same interest rate, choose the card with the highest balance first. A structured, disciplined approach to reducing debt can help you pay off your credit cards whether your balance is $3,000 or $30,000. Working on your profit plan will keep you on track, and before you know it, you’ll be on the road to a debt-free life.

Being a truck driver is not a simple job and not all truck drivers are the same. Each haul different freight, in different types of trailers, at different lengths, for different types of companies, in different parts of the country. This means just because you are a truck driver doing one thing, it doesn’t mean you are going to be doing the same thing forever. Being a truck driver should be seen as a full-time career rather than just a job. Since 1998, ATBS has helped truck drivers become more successful through various stages of their careers. From those experiences, we defined what we call the "Driver Career Journey.” The Driver Career Journey is not a linear path, and many drivers will travel back and forth between the different stages of the Journey over the course of their careers. Let’s take a look at how we define the different stages along the Driver Career Journey and the advantages each offers when being a truck driver is your career. Company Driver Most drivers in the trucking industry are Company Drivers. Becoming a Company Driver is typically seen as the first stage in the Driver Career Journey. Many drivers enjoy the low risk and high rewards that come with being a Company Driver, and end up spending their entire career as an employee. Company Drivers don’t own their truck and drive the truck their carrier provides to them. They don’t have much control over increasing their earnings as it is often limited to longevity at a carrier and receiving bonuses for items like safe driving and good fuel economy. However, the personal rewards that come with being a Company Driver are high. This is because they enjoy the benefits that attract so many people to driving -- freedom, amazing views, and experiences, without the worries and stress that comes with being an owner-operator.  A truck driver can make an entire career out of driving as a Company Driver. Lease-Purchase Owner-Operators under Carrier Authority (Pioneer) The next stage of the Driver Career Journey is becoming a lease-purchase owner-operator under carrier authority. At ATBS, we call this stage the Pioneer stage. Becoming a Pioneer is a low-risk way for a driver to become an entrepreneur, running their own trucking business as an independent contractor/owner-operator.  Pioneers are typically first-time owner-operators who are still leased under a carrier’s operating authority. Pioneers are adventurous and courageous but still seek support networks for business and financial coaching. This is because they likely have good experience driving a truck, but may still be learning about how to run their own business. Most Pioneers acquire their truck through a carrier-sponsored program and usually have a more limited choice of what truck they can drive. Pioneers lease to a carrier to leverage that carrier’s freight network and buying networks. This makes it easier for them to find freight and also cheaper for them to purchase things like insurance, fuel, maintenance, and tires . Because Pioneers are responsible for managing the revenue and expenses of their business, they tend to earn more money than company drivers.  Pioneers are courageous, yet still on a learning curve. Compared to the other owner-operator segments, success rates are lower and there is a relatively high turnover. Successful Pioneers often transition into Hired Guns, which is what we will talk about next. Owner-Operators under Carrier Authority with Own truck (Hired Gun) The big difference between a Pioneer, and what ATBS calls a Hired Gun, is that a Hired Gun owns or finances their own truck rather than leasing it through a carrier-sponsored program. But, they still choose to drive under a carrier’s operating authority.  Hired Guns tend to be more experienced than Pioneers. They choose their truck in the open market in order to find exactly what they want to drive. They might finance their truck purchase, lease their truck, or they may pay cash and purchase their truck outright. Hired Guns enjoy the independence that comes with owning their truck but operate within certain norms established at their carrier.  Similar to Pioneers, Hired Guns typically leverage the carrier’s buying networks for things like insurance , fuel, maintenance, and tires. However, the primary reason most Hired Guns lease to a carrier is to take advantage of that carrier’s freight network. This way they don’t have to manage sales and revenue collection the way an owner-operator under their own authority does while they are also able to rely on more predictive revenue and miles. In general, Hired Guns make their own purchase and support decisions while maintaining an arms-length relationship with their carriers. They are experienced, reliable, trustworthy, and they enjoy their independence while operating within established norms.  Owner-Operator with Own Authority (Lone Ranger) ATBS calls owner-operators operating under their own authority Lone Rangers. This is the next step in the Driver Career Journey. Lone Rangers operate under their own authority which means they aren’t backed by a carrier. They make their own purchase decisions and have to manage their own customers. Often, Lone Rangers become members of associations in order to take advantage of discounts on items like fuel, tires, and insurance. Two of the largest owner-operator associations are the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA) and the American Association of Owner-Operators (AAOO). As mentioned earlier, Lone Rangers are responsible for finding and managing their own customers. They have to be savvy when it comes to negotiating rates, collecting revenue, and paying all their vendors on time. Lone Rangers may find some success operating on the fringe of the mainstream industry and gravitate toward specialty/high-paying niches. Their income fluctuates based on economic and industry cycles, and Lone Rangers may go between being a Hired Gun and Lone Ranger based upon these cycles. Going back to a Hired Gun from a Lone Ranger will once again allow a driver to take advantage of a carrier’s freight options. Driving is a Lone Ranger’s chosen profession and they are in it for the long haul… no pun intended. They have proven to be accomplished entrepreneurs and are able to be self-reliant. Click here to download our list  of industry partners who provide services for truck drivers with their own authority and take advantage of exclusive discounts . Owner-Operator with Multiple Trucks (Trail Blazer) The last stage in the Driver Career Journey is owner-operators who own multiple trucks. We call the drivers in this stage Trail Blazers. Trail Blazers are the next generation of small but growing trucking fleets. They’ve been successful as a Lone Ranger and have proven their ability to make it on their own through the good times and the bad.  Trail Blazers are comfortable enough mentally and financially to take the next step in entrepreneurship by growing their fleet and managing multiple trucks . Trail Blazers often still drive, in addition to managing everything else it takes to make a small business run. They often run on their own authority, but they sometimes choose to operate their small fleet under the operating authority of a much larger carrier.  The job as a Trail Blazer hardly ever stops. However, their grit is a trait shared by others who have built some of the largest truck fleets in America. This is what motivates them to keep going. So can you have a career as a truck driver? What we’ve learned is that being a truck driver is very much a career. It is an occupation that provides a lot of room for movement, growth, and development. Truck driving as a career is not for everybody, but for those people who work hard and love what they do, the mental, emotional, and monetary rewards are well worth it.

Improving your fuel efficiency by 1 MPG can save you over $10,000 per year! Luckily for you, there are many simple ways to improve this. Here is our list of the Top 25 Ways for Truck Drivers to Improve Fuel Efficiency. 1. MINIMIZE CRUISE SPEED This one may seem obvious, but going faster means you are going to burn more fuel. Every 1 MPH increase in speed results in a .14 MPG decrease in fuel economy. 2. MANAGE CRUISE RPM Managing the speed of your engine is also important in maximizing your fuel efficiency. Find the “sweet spot”, which is the most efficient RPM to run your engine. 1250 - 1350 RPM tends to be a good “sweet spot”. 3. USE THE LOWEST COST STATIONS An easy way to save money on fuel is to fill up at the lower cost stations. Many trucking-specific GPS systems will plan your route for you to stop at the less-expensive fuel stations along the way. Are you a self-employed truck driver that needs help managing your fuel costs? Click here! 4. TAKE THE SHORTEST ROUTE There are often many different ways to get to the same destination. Take the route that requires the least amount of driving in order to use the least amount of fuel. 5. AVOID UNNECESSARY DRIVING If you are going to go out of your way to stop for fuel, you might as well use the restroom and purchase any items you need, in order to avoid going out of your way to stop again a few hours later. 6. AVOID UNNECESSARY ITEMS The more weight that is in your truck, the more it has to work to move down the highway. Your truck already carries thousands of pounds, don’t make it carry any more than it has to. 7. MONITOR TIRE PRESSURE Underinflated tires decrease your fuel economy. For every 1 PSI drop in pressure, your fuel mileage can be reduced by 0.3%. 8. MINIMIZE IDLING Only idle your truck when absolutely necessary. One hour of idling burns about a gallon of fuel. 9. DON’T OVERFILL THE TANK When fuel is heated, it can begin to expand. This means if you fill your tank to capacity, the expanded fuel can cause the tank to overflow and waste fuel. 10. BE MODERATE WITH BRAKING Braking is a necessary part of driving. However, every time you slow down from braking, it takes more fuel to get back up to speed. Leaving more distance between you and the vehicle you are following can reduce braking. 11. STAY IN HIGHER GEAR Driving in the highest gear possible is a good way to help maximize fuel efficiency. Traveling at faster rates in low gears can consume 45% more fuel than is needed. 12. KEEP LOAD HEIGHT LOW The more evenly distributed the load is in the trailer, the less effort the truck will need to get moving. It’s good practice to keep the load as low and as level as possible. 13. USE YOUR MOMENTUM Your foot doesn’t always need to be on the gas pedal, burning fuel. If you see a hill coming up, use the downward part of the hill to build speed and use that momentum to get yourself up the other side. 14. MINIMIZE AIR CONDITIONING Every time you use your A/C, you are increasing fuel consumption by 0.2-0.4 miles per gallon. Sometimes this can be unavoidable, but when you can, just crack the window! 15. CHECK VEHICLE ALIGNMENT Another important factor to getting the best possible fuel efficiency is to make sure your tires are pointed straight down the road. A tire that is even ¼ degree from perfectly straight will try to travel 10-15 feet sideways every mile. 16. INSPECT THE FAN Your engine fan will typically run 5%-7% of the time the engine is on, but will run much more frequently if there is a problem with it. This affects fuel efficiency because the more the fan runs, the more horsepower the truck uses. 17. USE CRUISE CONTROL When you are able to, use cruise control. Cruise control can limit unnecessary acceleration and deceleration and can actually save you up to 6% in fuel consumption on the road. 18. CHECK BATTERY CABLES Check and clean your battery cables any time you are getting an engine check-up. If your battery cables are corroded, it causes the alternator to work harder. 19. INVEST IN AERODYNAMICS There are many add-ons you can purchase for your truck to improve aerodynamics, which leads to improved fuel efficiency. Three of the most common add-ons are tractor side fairings, deep angled bumpers, and trailer skirts. 20. LEARN FROM THE EXPERTS There are drivers out there who specialize in fuel efficiency and aerodynamics. Don't be afraid to look up their videos or read their articles and listen to what they have to say. 21. UNDERSTAND YOUR TRUCK As you know, the technology of trucks has advanced greatly over the years. Make sure you understand your truck inside and out and are taking advantage of all the technology on your truck that will help with your fuel efficiency. 22. PLAN YOUR TRIP Aside from just taking the shortest route, plan out when you're going to get to certain places on your trip and where you're going to fill up. If possible, avoid driving through places at times you know there will be a lot of traffic and fill up in places where the net price will be lowest. 23. TRACK YOUR NUMBERS Make sure you are keeping a record of your fuel mileage daily, weekly, or monthly. This way you will able to see how you're improving over time and if the changes you are making are working. 24. BE OPEN TO CHANGING YOUR DRIVING HABITS It can be hard to make changes if you've been doing something the same way over time. However, you can start by making small changes and once you see how these small changes improve your fuel mileage you'll be more likely to keep making changes over time. 25. KEEP FUEL EFFICIENCY IN MIND Lastly, one of the best ways to improve fuel efficiency is to make it a priority. Keep this list in mind and think about these things while you are on the road. Soon, you will be maximizing your fuel efficiency without even realizing it.