Running with JCT, Part Deux

And you can get a bunch more envelopes and EFS checks each time you are at the yard.

I don't like sending the only copy of the paperwork in the mail. So, I scan a copy of all the paperwork into my computer as a PDF file. Came in handy when TripPak lost an envelop. I email JCT my PDF file and everything was good.

 

I agree with Stile. Use the yellow box. Its free and in the 14 years I've been using it, I have NEVER had a trip lost. As long as you drop the envelope before that box gets picked up, it will be at JCT the next business day. So in other words, to make the payroll cut off of Thursday, you need to drop the envelope before the pick up on Wednesday. No need to late trip or scan.

Scan at truck stop = $12.00
Scan with phone app = $6.00
Scan with in cab scanner = $6.00

Why would you pay for something when you can do it for free? $6 or $12 doesn't sound like a lot, but multiply that by 100 trips per year and that's $600 - $1200 you're needlessly spending..........and before any of you pipe up and say that's its a tax write off, understand that you don't get that amount back.

 

Nope, but when they're combined with other business expenses, they lower your tax bracket if you're diligent about saving receipts.

I don't care if I spend 50¢ for a pen, I'm keeping the receipt for it.

 

What I'm saying is why spend $600 of money in hand? If you add $600 to business expenses on taxes, it doesn't lower your tax bill by $600. It may lower it $50 -$100 and the other $500 - $550 is lost forever.

Yes, always keep all your receipts but just don't think for every dollar you spend you lower your tax bill by that much.

Does that make sense? I'm trying to word it correctly. Don't know if its coming across on here the way it is in my mind. LOL

 

I don't recall anybody advocating constant use of the app. Personally, I haven't even used it yet & only knew about the switch from TripPak Mobile to TransFlo Mobile+ because of an e-mail.

That said, I won't hesitate to scan in a trip if I'm somewhere those yellow boxes are scarce (ie, many parts of Cali), and I need to get a trip processed.

It's a tool, like anything else.

 

I agree. It's a tool, just like us for JCT. They use, abuse it, don't clean it, and then they wonder why it doesn't work the way it's supposed to. LOL

 

I've always admitted that I was a tool.

 

Steel, you may never had a lost trip, but what would you do if you got a phone call from JCT or message saying they never got trip number whatever.

I am not saying to scan in the trip to TripPak by any means. I have my own portable scanner I use to scan the paperwork into my computer. Like I said in an earlier post; it happened to me and was able to email (not scan) them the paperwork. I also scan receipts to email them to ATBS once a month.

Then I backup all my receipts to my external HD and Google Drive. I have a copy of every single load I have pulled with JCT along with every receipt for the past two years and my logbooks for just as long.

 

I have records of everything I do also. If that phone call ever happens, I am prepared. I keep the current year and the 7 previous years' records, both on computer and a separate file box with hard copies for each year as the IRS can only go back 7 years for an audit.

You say you use ATBS? I strongly suggest that you wean yourself away from them. They are charging you over $1000/year to do something that you are very capable of doing yourself. You give up the freedom to decide how/what goes on your taxes. You can get a CPA to do your taxes for a hell of a lot less. Better yet, do everything yourself and save the $1000. Yes, ATBS is deductible, but you don't get $1000 back when you claim it.

Just food for thought.

 

If I not mistaken for every dollar that you spend it is like a 30 to 40% savings on your taxes. If you spend $1000 you will save somewhere between $300 to $400 on your taxes.

A couple people that I have talked to think that you get dollar for dollar back.

At least this is how I understand it please correct me if I am wrong.