I've been preparing to go OTR for the last 6 months now getting things in order to close out my household and hit the road. I'm planning on staying out 2-3 weeks at a time and then taking a few days off and get a hotel in whatever city I'm in to re-coupe before hitting the road again. I don't have any issues with the law in over 15 years (no convictions, no drugs, no tickets, etc), I've also already taken a physical and have my DOT medical card. At this point the only thing I need to finish up is getting my temporary DMV permit for school. From what I've read here and elsewhere about trucking companies I'm seriously considering Schneider. I'll apply in a few weeks and plan to start school somewhere around April 1, 2008.

So with that out of the way I would like to know what to do with my dodge pickup during my OTR work periods. Do OC's let you store your personal vehicle (in hopefully secured lots) long term while out OTR? or would it be better to store it at a family members home while out on the road? I'd probably want to store it at an OC until I finally get my own rig, then I'd want to get my pickup back up to Oregon while I'm OTR.

Next up, if I travel to Fontana CA to do the training/school should I bring all the tools/gear I've prepared for OTR or wait and run back up to Oregon to collect them once I get my own rig? (I've read here about drivers getting stuck with heading out OTR before being able to head home to get their gear, which would suck). If I do bring everything down does Schneider have any secured storage for drivers at OC's or would it be better to temporarily rent a storage space from a local facility until I'm finished with school. (I'll sort the gear into 3 sections - during school, during OTR training, and finally when I get my own rig).

Any input would be appreciated,

-Reby

One thing to keep in mind for tax reasons is you MUST have a "tax home". A physical address or some thing where you get your mail, (p o box not acceptable). Other wise the gooberment will look at you as NOT having a tax home and you won't get to claim the per diem for the days/nights you are away from "home". Even if you don't bother going home for your days off but get a motel where its handy.

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Ya Brickman I've been thinking about that as well since Oregon has a state tax as well as the federal tax. I've been debating on sending mail to my brother in Texas to avoid paying state taxes when I'm not even living there. Anybody do something like that to avoid taxes? Although I guess if I were to take the per diem tax credit it would even it out one way or another on both state/federal levels.

I have several addresses I can use up here in Oregon so if worse comes to worse I can just use one of those. I'm just trying to sort out what to do with my truck while in school/training. I'd take the bus to school but to heck with that, I've been driving since I was a kid and I like the freedom. Besides I'm sure I'll need it to get supplies while in school to keep my costs down.

Cheers,

-Reby

Nothing wrong with figuring out a way to save tax money. I don't have state taxes here in WY.


Check with your CPA for all the regs.

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Actually, it is maintaining a home. Whether rented or owned.

I wondered about that. But what I posted was what I heard a supposed trucker CPA on Sirrius Road Dog show stating. He didn't clarify it like that.

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That is one of the problems with those shows. I try to put it in simpler terms.