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Owner-operator miles and earnings have been fairly level this year, according to the third -quarter report from ATBS, the nation’s largest owner-operator financial services company. READ MORE

LAKEWOOD, COLO. – December 14, 2016 – American Truck Business Services, also known as ATBS, is excited to announce the launch of its new website, www.ATBS.com. The site, which features a responsive design and a clearer focus on the trucking industry, also includes information about the recently developed service packages branded under the name ‘RumbleStrip’ by ATBS. Since 1998, ATBS has served over 100,000 truck drivers by helping them keep their business 'between the lines'. That notion was what led ATBS to create and optimize the ‘RumbleStrip’ service packages. Just like rumble strips on the interstate help you course-correct and keep you safe, ATBS helps drivers course-correct their business. Often, it’s a small nudge due to inattention, or perhaps a more fundamental shift in trajectory. Either way, the driver’s well-being, both financial and personal, is ATBS’ primary concern. Previously, drivers had the option to enroll in our most popular service package which was referred to as ATBS Standard Business Services. That service package has now been renamed ‘RumbleStrip Professional.’ Since the development RumbleStrip, there is now a wider range of service packages from which a driver can choose. For information on all of the new RumbleStrip products, please visit www.ATBS.com. With this launch, ATBS has also developed an additional service package that has never been offered before, named ‘RumbleStrip Essentials.’ With RumbleStrip Essentials, drivers will receive the time-saving benefits of the following services: Tax Consulting Year-End State and Federal Tax Returns Quarterly Tax Estimates Bottom Line Checkup - Tax Reconciliation Year-To-Date Profit & Loss Statements Monthly Bookkeeping Access to a Secure Online Document Portal Between December 15, 2016 – January 15, 2017, owner-operator drivers can enter to win one of three RumbleStrip Essentials service packages and receive all of the services mentioned above FREE for a full year. To enter the contest, drivers can fill out the form at www.atbs.com/essentials-giveaway. All entries must be received by the end of the day on January 15, 2017 to be eligible to win. American Truck Business Services (ATBS) is the largest tax, consulting, and bookkeeping firm in the transportation industry, with over 18 years of experience working with owner-operators and independent contractors. Since 1998, ATBS has helped over 100,000 clients earn more money, reduce stress, and drive a richer life. In 2016, ATBS developed the RumbleStrip line of service packages, which includes back-office solutions for truck drivers in every stage of their careers. For more information, visit www.ATBS.com. ###

It’s a new year and certainly a new era in the nation’s capital. No better time for assessing your operation, including a few words of wisdom from those in the industry. READ MORE

2016 income data for owner-operators reveals dips in revenue and take-home pay, despite driving more miles. Here's what each segment averaged in 2016. READ MORE

Net income for leased and independent owner-operators dipped about $255 in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period a year ago, according to ATBS, the nation’s largest owner-operator business services firm. READ MORE

LAKEWOOD, COLO. – January 11, 2018 – In December of 2017, Congress passed the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" bill, which resulted in several significant changes to U.S. tax code. As the leading tax and accounting company for owner-operator truck drivers, American Truck Business Services has developed The Owner-Operator’s Guide to The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, an in-depth analysis of how the tax reform bill will affect truck drivers. This comprehensive guide is focused on topics such as per diem, the Affordable Care Act “individual mandate” penalties, child tax credits, child support and alimony deductions, and more. Follow the link below to download a copy of this eBook: The Owner-Operator’s Guide to The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 www.atbs.com/2017-tax-reform In addition to the eBook, drivers are encouraged to attend a live conference call to hear ATBS tax and trucking experts explain the new tax code. The conference call details are as follows: How Will The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 Affect Me? Wednesday, January 24, 2018 9 a.m. Central | 12 p.m. Eastern Click Here to Register The information provided in the eBook and conference call should help alleviate some of the confusion and misconceptions associated with these recent tax code changes. About ATBS American Truck Business Services (ATBS) is the largest tax, consulting, and bookkeeping firm in the transportation industry, with 20 years of experience working with owner-operators and independent contractors. Since 1998, ATBS has helped over 150,000 clients earn more money, reduce stress, and drive a richer life. In 2016, ATBS developed the RumbleStrip line of service packages, which includes back-office solutions for truck drivers in every stage of their careers. For more information, visit www.ATBS.com. ###

The goal of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was to help simplify the entire tax filing process. Unfortunately, many of the changes added an extra layer of complexity. This article from DAT.com will hopefully clear up some of the questions you might have surrounding the changes to the IRS tax code. READ MORE

Project Sanctuary, a nonprofit providing hope and healing for thousands of military families across the country, raised over $250,000 at its third annual gala, held May 18 at Colorado University South Denver Campus. The Operation Project Sanctuary (O.P.S.) Gala, presented by Aimco Cares and First Command Financial Services, drew nearly 300 guests from around the country. READ MORE

Leased owner-operators naturally have liked longer hauls with less wasted time delivering and picking up. But in the end, we’ve moved to a world where revenue per hour or day is the metric that matters, not so much miles anymore. If shipments are aligned to maximize daily productivity of the driver, they will cost more with the ELD mandate, and everyone being able to track the data of wasted time. READ MORE

The high-demand year that trucking enjoyed for most of 2018 produced strong rate hikes that translated well to owner-operators net income. On average, owner-operators earned a higher net income while running fewer miles. "It was a record year in many areas and a great year to be an owner-operator," says Todd Amen, ATBS CEO. READ MORE

Owner-operators in 2018 on average earned $65,360 in take-home pay for the year — a record-high income for a segment that saw a big boost from strong economic growth and robust per-mile rates. However, miles dropped 5.8 percent to 103,800 — the lowest average miles on record for owner-operators. These averages come from ATBS and is based on more than 15,000 leased and independent owner-operators. READ MORE

by Todd Amen, ATBS President and CEO Throughout the year, ATBS tracks and analyzes income and mileage trends from our owner-operator clients. We’ve noticed there is some discontent right now amongst both owner-operators (O/Os), and the trucking industry in general. We sense it’s the result of a normal (slower) first quarter versus the gangbuster year we experienced in 2018. It will be nearly impossible to beat the benchmarks set in 2018 because it was such an extraordinary year! In the first quarter of this year, O/O miles overall were down almost 2,000 miles (down 7.3%) vs Q1 2018. This reflects the softness O/Os are feeling in the market. However, revenue per mile was actually up 8 CPM (up 5.2%) in Q1 2019 vs Q1 2018. So, net/net, total overall revenue for Q1 2019 is down $967 (down 2.5%) vs Q1 2018. Regarding specific operating segments, revenue is down 5.2% in the Flatbed segment and down 1% in the Reefer segment. The Dry Van segment is on par with the average. Bottom line results show net income is down $240 (down 1.5%) in Q1 2019 vs Q1 2018. The Refrigerated segment is performing strongly year-over-year with net income up $959 (up 7.6%). Both the Dry Van and Flatbed segments show net income down approximately 4% (down approximately $650). We believe the key to having a successful 2019 is realizing the world has changed. 2018 was all about revenue generation whereas 2019 will be more about the cost side of the business. For 2019, we anticipate lower miles and rates compared to last year. So, don’t be overly picky on loads; take what you are offered if it provides reasonable revenue. It’s far better to generate revenue and contribution margin than sitting and digging a hole with business and personal fixed costs building up. At the same time, have a razor-sharp focus on the cost side of your business. If you generate a dollar of revenue, only a fraction of that dollar makes it to your pocket as profit. If you cut a dollar of cost, 100% of that dollar goes in your pocket. You can save $5000 on fuel alone if you manage it properly. For a reminder on tips to save on fuel costs, click here. The message for 2019 is fairly simple. While things might not be quite at the level they were in 2018, the fact remains this is one of the best times ever to be an owner-operator. You became an owner-operator for a reason; to be in control of your life and in charge of your own business. Just make the necessary adjustments and your bottom line will remain strong in 2019!