Own Authority Paperwork.

In some cases that may not be ideal. I have one regular broker that uses/verifies the contact info on file with FMCSA every time a load gets booked, as part of their fraud prevention process. Many others that do so when setting up a carrier agreement.

Aside from that, I'd say over the past 10 years I've been doing this, email and phone spam filters have improved substantially. Coincidentally I'm up on my insurance anniversary and getting that wave of spam starting for the next 2 months.

 

The interesting counterpoint to this is: when I've called the various tax authorities for help (KYU, NYHUT, and the like), it's easy to get someone on the phone and they're actually helpful.

I can't find the comment to quote it, but you mentioned slow KYU. That particular application is on paper. You mail in a paper form, and they send you a paper certificate. It does take a couple weeks turn around. I've also seen government agencies, in general, really milking covid as a universal excuse to forget about any urgency and just pretend to work. So beware of and expect delays for no good reason other than that.

One thing to remember is: update any vehicle information on any of these permit deals whenever you trade trucks. I may or may not have paid KY a $200 tuition payment to learn that. Toll cards too.

I can't remark about OOIDA's service or lack of, as they did not introduce their carrier department until a couple years after I started. They've done a good job on the other stuff I use them for, mainly the agency form and consortium. The latter has gone way up in cost over the years, but still remains a "hands-off" service I don't need to worry about.

 

I probably been doing it wrong for 10 years, but I may have read somewhere taxable is road miles. The "free" column would be off road.

The only place I've seen toll miles matter is on the NYHUT return. Different rates for loaded, empty, and bobtail, but toll miles are exempt.

ETA: I been through 2 IRP/IFTA audits with zero findings. So I could be doing it right.

 

I'm set with what I'm doing now. I'll never go back to a shop for an inspection. Funny you mention TA because I used the one in Breezewood for years but it's not always convenient. They have a good crew there. Good people in their Bedford area of PA.

 

Not trying to be an ### but I could care less what brokerages do for their security. Mine is top priority. They can move on to another carrier if they don't like what they see on Safer. Not that long ago TQL was hacked and they're adamant about everything matching up with the FMCSA. They still call me regularly. In fact, one of their agents took me out to lunch with his family on Christmas Eve.

 

Read the IFTA booklet. Every state has a pdf copy of one online and all the states are the same since IFTA sets the standards.

The only places I know that are exempt are DC and Oregon. Essentially ALL miles are calculated for IFTA and taxable except DC and OR and the only toll road I know of that's exempt in the MA Turnpike. The NY Thruway is exempt from NYHUT but not IFTA.