Over the Road May 2024

• COMPANY DRIVERS A-Z

• OWNER OPERATORS A-Z, D-Z

• DISPATCHER • LOCAL DISPATCHER

• DISPATCH ASSISTANT

• DATA ENTRY/CUSTOMS СLERK

• MECHANIC

us?

At Transam Carriers, we believe that success is not achieved without professional human attitudes. We are proud of providing some of the most flexible work options in the industry for an optimum work-life balance. All of these, in conjunction with new equipment, modern technologies, in-house truck shop, and cross-dock facility, make Transam an exceptional workplace that we call here our second home.

Publisher

Peter Charboneau peter@otrgroup.ca

Director of Operations & Editor-in-Chief

Cathryn Charboneau cathryn@otrgroup.ca

Account Executive

Luke Zentil luke@otrgroup.ca

Account Executive Earle Madden earle@otrgroup.ca

Graphic Design & Advertising lennykuiper.com

lennykuiper@gmail.com

Controller

Estela Navarrete estela@otrgroup.ca

Office Manager

Mary Charboneau mary@otrgroup.ca

All advertisements, and/or editorials are accepted and published by Over the Road on the representation that the advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials are authorized to publish the entire contents and subject matter thereof. The advertiser, its advertising company, and/or the supplier of the editorials will defend, indemnify and hold Over the Road harmless from and against any loss, expense or other liability resulting from any claims or suits for libel, violation of privacy, plagiarism, copyright or trademark infringement and any other claims or suits that may rise out of publication of such advertisement and/ or editorials. Press releases are expressly covered within the definition of editorials.

MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT

Robert D. Scheper

How can you save $12,000+ a year as an Independent Operator

I own two vehicles: a Toyota Tundra and a Jetta Diesel. One gets 15 MPG and the other gets 45 MPG. Mostly I drive the Tundra, all I ever see are other Toyota Tundras and when I speak to Tundra drivers, I always assume that everyone else is getting somewhere in the vicinity of 15 MPG (give or take a bit).

Tax preparers for Independent Operators only drive Tundras… not literally of course but for my illustration they do. Accounting firms, almost universally and exclusively use the TL2 simplified method to complete the tax returns for Independent Operators. Given the information that Operators can save $12,000+ in taxes, they usually openly scoff. They have no understanding of anything other than something around 15 MPG.

I’ve been serving the Independent Operator industry for almost 30 years. I first heard about Non-Taxable Benefits 25 years ago and started using it immediately. It wasn’t until 2006 that I began keeping records of tax savings per client. As of April 2024, our firm has collectively saved our operators $71 million in taxes. I have some clients

who have saved more than a quarter million dollars. For this reason, I remain and enjoy serving the industry.

My BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) is to save the industry $1 Billion in taxes before I retire or expire. There is no way for me and my firm to accomplish that alone. This is why I have invested in the design of our own accounting platform, a platform focused on tax savings using the NTB system. Now, firms across Canada can collectively abandon the TL2 Simplified System for true tax savings.

I have written about NTB in Over the Road Magazine now for 14+ years. Even still, after all our success and savings, accounting firms still drive Tundras. I don’t really know what more I can do or say.

As an operator, you must understand that you are ‘low paying freight’, not a high priority in the accounting industry. You are a labour-intensive and low-margin client. Please don’t take that personally, it’s just the nature of your business and its relationship to tax preparers.

The NTB system ADDS more complexity and intensity to the tax preparation process. It’s certainly not something the average firm wishes to add. To save taxes legally you must present your income in a way that adheres to the rules and regulations assigned to the system YOU CHOOSE. The NTB system must be learned and complied with. The primary cost is the time it takes to arrange records appropriately for a sustainable defence in case of an audit. Saving taxes is not about WHO you use, it’s about WHAT you use.

We introduced our software at Truck World from April 18-20, 2024. If you are a tax preparer and wish to serve the Independent Operator industry, please contact our office, and learn more about our software and the benefits it will provide for you (the tax preparer) as well as your clients. It’s a fully encrypted, online system that reduces your workload and provides extreme value to your clients. Though 2024 would be considered a soft launch of the program, we felt that waiting for Truck World 2026 would have been way too long a delay.

What MYMC is trying to do is change an ENTIRE INDUSTRY to comply with a very specific regulatory system through a very specific software platform. I believe the long-term benefits are tremendous, to both the operators and their tax preparers. Brace yourself for change; this change is tax relief.

As I’ve written about for many years, there are also disadvantages to the system that must be navigated. They certainly are not insurmountable but are still very real. Check it out as we explain it using various platforms such as our PODCAST. It also produces a wide range of different topics for the industry to consider.

The NTB system is an industry disrupter, a game changer that produces extreme value for all who use it. If an operator wishes to survive the next decade they MUST learn and adhere to this system.

About the Author:

Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant exclusively serving the Lease/Owner operator industry in Canada. His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most in-depth analysis of the independent operator industry today. He has a Master degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993. His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars. You can find him at www.makingyourmilescount.com or 1-877-987-9787.

CHECK OUT THE PODCASTS AT “YOUTUBE.COM/@MAKING

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DRIVERS.

TRUCKING RECESSION?

SAFETY DAWG

Chris Harris

Are we in a trucking recession? It sure appears that way to me, an outsider. In my safety consulting business, I get to visit many trucking companies. Most are the long-haul variety that also cross the border into the United States. Many of my customers are telling me one of two things. First, the amount of freight available is way down and secondly, the rates to move that freight absolutely suck!

So, what is a truck driver supposed to do if we are truly in a trucking recession because this means that in most cases, truck drivers are also suffering. You may not be getting the number of miles that you are used to and, if that’s the case, this also means your family is suffering because you are not bringing home the normal amount of revenue. The lack of revenue certainly affects your family and your family’s budget and when families don’t spend the normal amount of money on items, such as groceries and other new purchases, this then plunges the economy into a recession.

But why don’t we hear the word “recession” in the news? And why is it that the government isn’t saying that we are in a recession?

I had a good friend of mine explain it to me. He said that although the economy has certainly slowed, the measurements that the economists use to say that we are in a recession have not been triggered. They have not been triggered because people are still spending money, although less money. Instead of renovating their houses and spending money on their backyards by purchasing new pools and decks as we did during the Covid era, the same people are now taking trips and spending their money in other ways. Many of these other ways do not need trucks to move the purchased item. We do not need a truck to fly to Mexico for a vacation.

So, what is a truck driver to do? If your miles are down, you cannot take a vacation. If your miles are down, your children may not be able to participate

in those extracurricular activities that you’ve usually allowed them to participate in. If your miles are down, the family may be making different choices at the grocery store; trying to purchase cheaper items of less quality but still putting food on the table. After all, we all need to eat. The truck driver may also not be purchasing a larger home. You may be struggling just to pay the bills on the one that you currently occupy. And, of course, children seldom understand the cutbacks and the pain that situations like this can cause the parents.

If you are getting enough miles, and you are making your normal money, don’t quit. Sit tight because things will once again change in the not-too-distant future. If you are making good money currently, then I suggest that you just stay where you are and enjoy the miles.

If you are not getting enough miles at the company that you are at, there are lots of other companies that are hiring. But you had better have a great record, a clean Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) and very good documentation so that you stand out in the job interview. They are currently looking for the best of the best to add to their fleet.

So, if you are one of the best truck drivers available on the market, there

are people who’ll put you to work quickly and for good pay. If you have some blemishes on your record or a job history that shows too many employers in too short of a time, then you will have a more difficult job finding a new home.

Let me know what you think. Do you think we in a trucking recession even though the government doesn’t discuss recessions? Even though, our TRUCKING recession doesn’t meet the economic definition of a recession? Let me know how you’re making out. Let me know how your family is doing.

And keep your chin up. This too will change in the coming months, and I suspect before the end of 2024.

Safe driving, Chris Harris

Top Dawg, Safety Dawg Inc. 905-973-7056

chris@safetydawg.com

@safety_dawg (twitter)

SHIFT YOUR FOCUS TO THE ROAD AHEAD.

Minimize Risk, Maximize Profit.

Hosted by CHRIS HARRIS, THE SAFETY DAWG

SEARCHING FOR A TRUCK DRIVING JOB

BUT DON’T KNOW WHERE TO LOOK?

Get into a job you enjoy by searching through hundreds of driving jobs across Canada and the US!

Drivers and Owner Operators, apply to leading trucking companies in minutes!

It is absolutely FREE, easy and simple to use. Check it out today!

Found on your favourite podcast player

TRANSX EASTERN TRUCK LOAD OPPORTUNITIES:

> Montreal Corridor (Canada Only)

> Open Board (CND/USA)

TRANSX OFFERS:

> Excellent fuel subsidy program

> Paid licensing, insurance, and tolls,

> Mileage paid rates, hourly rates, assessorial pay, premiums, and

> Other benefits

$ SAVE OPERATING COSTS

We pay for licensing and insurance – the only operating cost is the un-subsidized portion of the fuel subsidy.