Category: Trucking Companies

How To Increase Your Trucking Client Base With DIY Marketing

Whether you are just getting your own authority or you are struggling to increase your current client base, you should consider using these no-nonsense, do-it-yourself marketing techniques.

These techniques come at little or no cost to you and they don’t require a marketing guru to implement.

With just a little elbow grease, these simple marketing strategies can help increase your brand awareness and trucking client base.

Marketing evaluation

Your first step to creating a trucking marketing strategy is to look at how your business compares to other trucking operations in your community. Also, consider your level of experience compared to theirs. 

If you are a well-established trucking company with a solid reputation for delivering on time, capitalize on that fact! If you are just starting out, focus on what you excel at or what sets you apart from others, so clients can see more value from your services.

Work with other related trucking businesses within your area to cross-promote each other’s services. For instance, if you use a great factoring company, ask if they would be willing to mention you on their social media pages.

Think like a small business

It’s important to remember, especially if you just got your own authority, that you are a small business owner. You need a modern-looking website (these are surprisingly easy and cheap to create with websites like Squarespace.com and Wix.com). 

You need at least one business social media account for your business (Facebook is usually best). And most importantly, you need to pay attention to how people are responding to your online presence.

Find your niche

Don’t just haul groceries or construction equipment because that’s what your buddy does. Do some research and figure out what is in demand and use social media and your website to show how you are a perfect match for that part of the trucking industry.

Client relations

Join your state trucking association and start networking with other companies in the trucking industry. 

Make sure that you are mentioning your clients on your social media accounts. Let them know if you had a good experience. Show other potential clients that you are polite and engaged. No one wants to do business with someone who comes off as grumpy.

Mobile marketing

If you haven’t already, be sure to get your logo on your truck and trailers if possible. This is an easy way to raise brand awareness while you are simply driving around.

According to Fleet Owner, marketing on your truck and trailer is more effective than almost any other form of marketing for truckers.

However, this one isn’t really DIY.

The best option is to have your truck professionally wrapped with a graphic of your logo and phone number. It will look much better this way.

Your name and number must be large enough so people can see while driving and must be branded so it can be recognized on your website and social media.

Join local charities

Become a Toys-For-Tots drop-off location during the holiday season. Alternatively, get involved with local toy drives or charities. You will be seen doing good within your community, and your name will be noticed every time someone donates a toy to a child in need.

Get DAT with TruckLogics

With new DAT load board integration from TruckLogics, you can post your truck availability so that clients can start contacting you, instead of the other way around.

You can set the dates that you are available and even where you would like to run!

Get a 15-day free trial of TruckLogics! There’s no obligation and credit card information required.

What You Need to Know About The W-2 and 1099 Tax Form Deadline!

January 31st is right around the corner! You have to make sure your 2019 W-2 and 1099-MISC Forms are ready to file by the IRS deadline.

If your trucking business has employees, you will need to report their wages and tax withheld on IRS Form W-2. Operators using freelance or contracted workers must report all payments using IRS Form 1099-MISC. Many trucking companies get confused about the difference between the W-2 Form and 1099 Tax form. Knowing these differences is critical for trucking business owners. Any mistakes you make could result in IRS fines and extra work for you.

IRS Form 1099 MISC – What You Need to Know

The IRS Form 1099-MISC is used to report miscellaneous payments made during the calendar year. You’ll need to use it for individuals who are not considered employees, such as an independent contractor or subcontractors.
You will need to file Form 1099-MISC if any of the following applies. Note there are also certain incomes you must report as well.
• $600 or more in services, lodging, and other income expenses.
• Each worker you’ve withheld federal income tax from under the backup withholding rules.
• Paid $10 or more in royalties or broker payments instead of tax-exempt interest dividends.
• All gross proceeds to attorneys and other legal consultants.
• Any direct sales of consumer products resulting in an income of $5,000 or more made anywhere that isn’t a permanent retail establishment.
Expenses NOT reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC include:
• All non-reportable payments made to corporations, excluding attorneys and legal consultants. They must receive a Form 1099 – MISC regardless of their corporate status.
• Payments made to foreign governments or tax-exempt organizations in the United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
• Income paid to official employees (This is where the From W-2 comes in).

IRS Form W-2 – What You Need to Know

First of all, what is a W-2? IRS Form W-2 is an annual statement that you must file with the SSA and issue recipient copies to employees. You, the employer, will then use these to report salaries and other payments made during the previous tax year. You will also need to file Form W-2 for each official employee with the SSA (Social Security Administration). This is very important considering your employees use this form to file their personal tax returns. On their recipient copies they will find wages earned, taxes withheld, and additional information needed to complete their yearly tax returns.

Filing late or not filing at all can cost you and your business big time. If you don’t file Form W-2s by the deadline, you must pay a $30 fine for each. After 30 days, this penalty raises to $60 per form with a top fine of $500. That’s in addition to the pressure you will receive from your employees and contractors when they can’t file for their refunds.If you do make a mistake, you can use a W-2 Correction Form W-2c. It would be best if you did this as soon as you discover a form error. You also need to send copies of your corrected W-2 Forms to each employee.

TaxBandits Can Help Your Trucking Business

Tax season isn’t fun for anyone, but it’s even less fun to handle all alone. We specialize in filing 2290s, but our sister product TaxBandits is here for the rest of your trucking company’s tax filing needs!

With a step-by-step interview-style filing process and 100% US-based support, TaxBandits can help you file your IRS Form W-2 or IRS Form 1099 in a matter of moments. They even have print mailing options available to guarantee your recipient copies are received on time. Sign up for your free account today and only pay when you transmit!

Trucking Subcontractors and Form 1099-MISC: What You Need to Know

W-2s and 1099 Forms ready to file for your trucking business?
It’s almost January 31st! Do you have all the

Fleet management can be a difficult task to take on alone. Many trucking companies use contractors, who can themselves hire a subcontractor. But did you know that as a trucking business owner you’ll need to file their tax forms too?

It can be easy to get swept up in the frenzy of tax season and forget to e-file 1099-MISC for your contractors and subcontractors. Luckily, TaxBandits can help you e-file your taxes on time with their quick and secure filing process. TaxBandits also features error checking, bulk data uploads, and experienced US-based customer support. They make completing your taxes a breeze whether you’re at home or on the road!

Here’s what you need to know about filing 1099-MISC Forms for your subcontractors!

Form 1099-MISC: Subcontractors

Some trucking company owners don’t realize they need to file taxes for their subcontractors. Employers must file Form 1099-MISC to report any non-employee compensation equaling $600 or more. Anyone not considered an official employee will need this form to report their miscellaneous income for the tax period.

For. And remember, you’re required to issue copies of Form 1099-MISC to your subcontractors by January 31st!

What You Need To File Form 1099 Online

With TaxBandits, it’s easier than ever to complete Form 1099-MISC no matter where you are! All you need is your business records for the tax season.

Your Information:
  • Business Name
  • Business Address
  • EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Independent Contractor Information:

  • EIN
  • Or Social Security Number
  • Address
You will also need to provide extra federal and state tax details. This includes all miscellaneous incomes you provided, the state income, payer state number, and state tax withheld.

If you don’t have your subcontractor’s information available, you can request it through a W-9 Form. Luckily, with TaxBandits the W-9 process only requires 60 seconds the subcontractor’s valid email address.


Filing Form 1099-MISC With TaxBandits

Filing your Form 1099-MISC can be a rocky experience, but TaxBandits makes it as smooth as the open road.

TaxBandits allows you to create a free account before beginning the e-filing process. The site also provides tips to explain what information you need to complete your form. You can also save time by using their bulk-upload feature.

TaxBandits can also save you from wasting time at the post office. Use their postal mailing feature to print and mail hard copies of the Form 1099-MISC to each of your subcontractors.

Happy Thanksgiving! From Express Truck Tax

With Highway Use Taxes due on November 30th of this year, this has been a very busy Thanksgiving season for the folks at Express Truck Tax. We are very thankful for all of the Truckers, Owner Operators, Trucking Companies, and Service Providers that have chosen to file their Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax through ExpressTruckTax.com. Our US-Based Customer Support Center in Rock Hill, SC has been flooded with calls this month and we are grateful for it!
The tax year may be a bit different this year due to the November 30 deadline, but the legislation is the same as it has been in previous years. The tax due will be the same, and the weight classifications are also the same. The only thing that is different is that the filing process can be much easier and more convenient with ExpressTruckTax.
Filing this form online only takes a few minutes and you will receive a stamped schedule 1 within minutes of filing this form online. Although the Thanksgiving Holiday is coming up, you will still be able to E-File your Form 2290 through our service anytime. If you have any questions, please contact us at 704-234-6005 or email us at support@ExpressTruckTax.com