Category: 2290

4 Legs and 18 Wheels: Truckers With Pets

Posted on March 22, 2016 by - 2290, cats, Federal HVUT, healthy living, Healthy Tips, pets, tips & tricks, Trucker dog, trucking nation

We’re always talking about trucker health, but we’ve missed one key factor that can help your well being.

Get a pet! Cat or dog, doesn’t matter—having a furry friend in your cab can have major benefits.

Okay, we know that truck cabs are a tight fit, but with so many different pet breeds and temperaments, there has to be something that can fit your lifestyle.

Whatever pet you choose, just make sure they don’t take the wheel!

The Benefits of Pets

Why a pet? Well, studies have illuminated this for us. One study found a reduction in minor health problems after the subjects acquired a cat or a dog. On top of that, dog owners get considerably more exercise thanks to the constant need for walks.

Now, we’re not saying not having a dog or a cat will hurt you—we’re just saying there are some benefits. Plus, you won’t be lonely anymore if your four legged friend is chilling out with you every day.

For example, numerous studies have found that just owning or petting a dog can lower your blood pressure.

Well how should you get a dog? We’re big proponents of adopting from shelters and pet rescues around here, since it’s usually more affordable and you’re saving a life!

Tips for a Happy & Healthy Co-Pilot

What’s next? Make sure you pet proof your rig! While your new pet is getting accustomed to the rig, block access to your clutch and brakes. You can lighten up once they are familiar with your truck.

Make sure your pets can’t hide under seats or in other dangerous areas.

Keep your medicine, food, and trash secure and away from a curious pet. Both cats and dogs can dig their way into some trash, so keep an eye out for it.

Make sure you have adequate water, food, and medicine (if necessary) for your pets. Dogs are pretty good about not using the bathroom where they sleep, so keep an eye out for clues they need to go.

Safety First for Your Pets

Also, pets living in trucks will get used to certain noises—like rumbling engines and horns—so make sure you keep them leashed while outside. The last thing you want is a truckstop funeral for your dog!

Finally, never leave your pet unattended in a rig, especially in extreme weather conditions! If you do have to in an emergency, make sure it’s only for a few minutes and that the truck is at a decent, comfortable temperature.

Until your dog learns how to e-file your HVUT 2290s, we know you’ll need us around. We’re here to answer any of your questions about e-filing, VIN corrections, and 2290 amendments.

Our dedicated customer support team can be reached by live chat on our website, by phone at 704.234.6005, and by email at support@ExpressTruckTax.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Do you keep a cat or a dog with you in the cab? Let us know about your fuzzy co-driver in the comments!

5 Deadly & Dangerous Trucker Routes in America

Posted on March 17, 2016 by - 2290, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, dangerous roads, deadly roads, Maine, Personal Tax Extension, personal taxes, South Carolina, trucking nation

In this field, worrying about reckless driving is a constant concern. But sometimes it’s not just careless four-wheelers you need to watch out for. Sometimes, the road itself is the dangerous part. In these scenarios, instead of dodging risky drivers, your attention is focused on the dangers of your environment. At least you’ll be focused if you’re on these roads!



The Million Dollar Highway / Colorado
Located on U.S. Route 550 in Colorado, the Million Dollar Highway takes you through the Red Mountain Pass into the San Juan Mountains. Riding at 11,000 feet above sea level, you are faced with a winding road without guardrails and shoulders, so drivers need to keep their wits about them. Why the lack of guardrails? Well, when snow piles up, they need to remove it somehow. That’s right, it goes right off the edge of the road and down the mountains!



Interstate 10 / Arizona
Sure, Interstate 10 runs the entire length of the United States, but the portion that starts in Phoenix and runs to the California border is a step above the rest. While the population of the area is low, the death toll remains relatively high in comparison. And this sparsely populated desert means any hospital or emergency service coming to help you has a ways to go before they can arrive.



James Dalton Highway / Alaska
You knew we were headed to Alaska eventually—I mean, what’s more dangerous than ice road trucking? With Dalton Highway’s 414-mile dirt road stretch, supplying the local oil and gas businesses is no easy task. Also known as the haul road, this route takes truckers through the mountains of the Brooks Range, where it once fell to -80 degrees Fahrenheit, the lowest temperature ever recorded in U.S.! Now, there are occasional helicopter patrols looking out for vehicles piling up, but that does little to decrease the dangers of Dalton. While the road was designed for rigs, four-wheelers can pass through it, but not many auto rental companies will allow tourists to try—so at least we have that assurance.



Interstate 26 / South Carolina
Nothing like a little southern hospitality to keep you safe on the road, right? That counts for most of the South, but the little stretch between Interstates 26 and 95 is a magnet for auto accidents. Maybe it’s the endless trees lining either side of the road, or the steep shoulders, but many a car careen off the tarmac and into the ditches. Maybe it’s the speeding four-wheelers, or the lack of guardrails, but this road has a well-deserved reputation!



Routes 1 & 11 / Maine
Hitting a deer can scratch, ding, or dent any vehicle. But what happens when you hit a moose? Yeah, we’re gonna let you Google that on your own free time. But on both Routes 1 and 11 up in Maine, there can be a moose at any turn! With the hilly terrain, faded road signs, sharp curves, and devastating winters—Maine supplies any driver with enough danger to keep the blood pressure spiking. But hey, somebody has to transport that freight there.


Whatever takes you on these roads, keep in mind that you have a few tax deadlines that would be dangerous to miss. Your personal taxes are due by April 18th, and your IFTA deadline is April 30th. We’re still a few months away from your HVUT 2290’s deadline, but we’ll be here for you then.


If you have any questions about your deadlines, we’re available by phone at 704.234.6005. Our dedicated and friendly customer support team is looking forward to your call!

What’s the most dangerous journey you’ve made in your rig? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook and Twitter!



Quick Tips to Reduce Trucker Stress

Posted on March 2, 2016 by - #TruckTech, 2290, Federal HVUT, fitness, healthy living, rigminders, sleep deprivation, software, stress

When you’re on the road, things can get pretty stressful. You’ve got crazed four-wheelers darting around your rig, dispatchers asking you to bend some rules, and some upcoming tax forms you’ve been avoiding. You can’t get rid of all those stressful factors, but you can find creative outlets to help you reduce how they affect you.

Stress happens for different reasons, and there are an assortment of ways to combat it. Here are a few tips we suggest.

Reduce Stressful Paperwork

Want to ditch the stress of tax filing? Well, just e-file your HVUT 2290s with ExpressTruckTax! We’re known as the easiest way to e-file your heavy vehicle use taxes, and we pride ourselves on our helpful customer support team. Best of all, after filing with us you will get your Stamped Schedule 1 within minutes! That way you can get back on the road.

Eat. Sleep. Lift.

Alright, alright. You’re tired of us hammering this point home. But we’re gonna stick with it, because your health is important! In short, you need to sleep more, eat better, and exercise regularly.

Does it sound like we’re constantly telling you to sleep more? Well, we are! Sleep recharges your body and helps you sort things out in your life. When you get more sleep, you’re going to be a more alert, safer driver. Your moods will also be more positive as a whole. And we’re not saying you’re eating unhealthy, but most truckers have a reputation for eating some bad foods. The solution? Avoid fast food and junk food and eat healthy foods! And of course, find time to exercise. You can store away weights or use your resources.

Stay on Time with Reminders

Tired of deadlines looming over your head? With RigMinders, you simply download the free app and let it run its course. As deadlines approach, RigMinders will remind you so that you don’t fall behind and get smacked with late penalties. The last thing you want is to pay a late fine, right?

Reduce Stress with a Hobby

You’re all over the country, seeing more of the United States than most people ever will. If you’re looking for a good hobby to help you relieve stress, try photography! Come on, you come across all those open skies and lonely roads—perfect for a camera lens. Not much of the visual artist type? Perhaps you could bring a guitar and try your hand at a good old fashion traveling song.

You already know how to stay entertained with your phone, tablet, and laptop computer. But not many truckers know that using these tools for stress relief is another great option! By using these same gadgets, you can connect to loved ones back home, run truck management software like TruckLogics, maintain a truck driving YouTube channel, or even educate yourself with free online courses.

And if you ever get stressed filing, reach out to our dedicated, bilingual support team! We’re available by phone at 704.234.6005, email at support@expresstrucktax.com, and by live chat on our website!

How do you reduce stress while on the road? Let us know in the comments, or on Facebook!

The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation

Posted on February 15, 2016 by - 2290, healthy living, otr trucking, safety, sleep, sleep deprivation

Sleep is important. Yeah, you’ve heard it a billion times before. And from a safety standpoint, it’s a matter of life and death. Wait, what? Well, if you’re an OTR trucker, a decrease in sleep can lead to an increase in fatal trucking accidents. Add that to the health issues, and you have the perfect storm to bring a trucker down.

Does it take you more than 30 minutes to fall asleep? Do you wake several times during long sleep periods? Do you take frequent naps? Are you always tired? You probably have a sleep disorder. Now, you might think you’re indestructible, but let’s talk about how this affects you and what you can do.

18 Wheels of Safety

There are plenty of reasons why auto accidents happen – but we’re here to focus on sleep deprivation as a factor. Drowsy driving increases accidents and near misses for any driver on the road. The difference between you and a four-wheeler is you’re an 80,000 pound missile on wheels when you lose control. When you’re drowsy, your reaction time is slowed down, and you will rationalize bad decisions that endanger you and other truckers.

Most accidents occur during the hours of midnight to 2 a.m., 4 a.m. to 6 a.m., and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. How does this impact trucking? Well, this factor is huge for commercial drivers – especially long-haul drivers – because at least 15% of all heavy truck crashes involve driver fatigue.

Health on the Highway

We’ve talked about health and fitness many times, but sleep is just as important. When you lose sleep, your body’s defenses are weakened. This increases your risk for infections, high blood pressure, and diabetes. When you’re sleep deprived, your appetite increases, leading to overeating and obesity.

What’s the Best Way to Sleep?

How you approach sleep matters, so take extra precautions for your health. Use curtains, truck shades, or an eye mask to block out light. Cover noise with a fan or a white noise machine. Make sure your cab or bedroom is a comfortable, cool temperature. And make sure you have a comfy mattress, pillow, and bedding. Make sure you’re parked in a quiet, but safe area.

While you might be tempted to hydrate before bed, avoiding liquids will keep you from having to get up in the middle of the night. Keep your distance from stimulants like caffeine and nicotine. Avoid heavy and spicy foods, and stop eating 2-3 hours before bed. Don’t forget, exposure to blue light from electronics will trick your brain into thinking you’re awake.

What Should I Do Now?

Well, if you notice any of the symptoms of sleep apnea or insomnia, contact a doctor. Make sure you’re firm with family, friends, and dispatchers about your sleep issues, when you’ll be sleeping, and that you want to avoid interruptions.

Your health and safety are vital to your job, so don’t let sleep deprivation get the best of you! You have enough to worry about with wintery roads, 2290s, and IFTA deadlines! And If you need any help on your truck tax filings, contact us by phone or email.

How do you prepare for sleep when you’re on the road? Let us know in the comments and on Facebook!

ExpressTruckTax Caters to Carriers

Posted on August 12, 2014 by - 2290, Schedule 1, Truck Tax

It’s #TruckerTuesday, and this one goes out to all of the carriers of the world!

Swift. Mercer. Con-way. Schneider. Landstar. What do all of these carriers have in common? They’re all partnered with ExpressTruckTax, of course. And that’s just a handful of the dozens of carriers we’re proud to be partnered with!

We don’t just take care of our owner-operators and tax professionals; carriers are a vital part of the Trucking Nation too, so we make it our business to make their business easier!

There are mountains of benefits that come with being one of our partners!
Here are just a few of the perks our carriers enjoy:

  • Drivers can conveniently E-file Form 2290 in under 10 minutes and just three simple steps!
  • We’ll email or fax the stamped Schedule 1 to the driver & carrier in mere minutes! No need to wait for the driver to mail it!
  • Record keeping has never been easier! All of your driver’s information is organized and easily retrieved in moments.
  • Download PDF’s of previous returns, receipts, or Schedule 1’s anytime you like.
  • No struggling to get in contact with each of your drivers. Simply email them our info, and we’ll take it from there!
  • 24/7, USA-based support in three languages, including English & Spanish. Our dedicated team of Support Heroes in Rock Hill, SC, offers cheerful assistance, all day, every day. 365. Try to find another E-file provider that has that! (You can’t!)
  • Carriers never have to worry about providing tech or tax support to their drivers. Our Support Heroes handle it expertly.
  • We also offer free VIN corrections, Form 2290 Amendments, and more if your drivers need it.

Whatever the size of the fleet, ExpressTruckTax wants to help you manage your business’s truck taxes, quickly and efficiently. Call our Support Heroes today! We’ll assign you your very own Account Manager, offering you personalized support. They’ll get to know your business and your needs; you’ll never talk to a stranger when you call us! And you’ll have a direct phone line and email to reach them instantly. You’ll never waste time navigating an automated system again. None of our competitors can say that!

Give us a ring at 704.234.6005. The Heroes are also available via online chat or 24/7 email support at support@expresstrucktax.com. See how our streamlined E-filing solutions can make your business run more smoothly!

Trucking Spotlight

Posted on January 23, 2014 by - 2001, 2290, efile, efile 2290, expresstrucktax, irs 2290, Peterbilt, tax, Truck, Trucker, trucking, Trucking Spotlight


– David Elliott
– 2001 Peterbilt – 550 6NZ
– 1,418,000 Miles
– Bought it new in Dec. 2010
– This truck will out-pull the new ones out there. Love the old girl!

If you would like to share photos of your truck, we would love to feature them on our blog. Photos can be submitted after E-Filing the IRS Form 2290 at ExpressTruckTax.com

Happy Trucking!