Introduction During the week of February 23 through March 1, 2026, new USDOT registrations totaled 3,779, comprised of 3,487 carriers (92.3% of all filings), 114 brokers (3.0%), and 178 other registrants (4.7%). Activity followed a classic weekday-to-weekend cadence: elevated volumes Monday through Friday, then a sharp pullback on Saturday and…
Why this choice matters now If you’re an owner-operator or building a small fleet, your business structure determines how exposed your personal assets are after a crash, a cargo claim, or a contract dispute—and how you file and pay taxes. Below is a plain‑English breakdown of how a sole proprietorship…
Why this matters now for fleets and owner-operators Tax agencies are no longer just annual form-checkers—they’re data platforms shaping how money moves. In the United States, the IRS has emphasized both service upgrades and sharper, risk‑based enforcement, aided by AI tools that triage questions and flag complex patterns—changes that ultimately…
Bottom line up front As of March 1, 2026, Zelle does not report your transactions to the IRS and does not issue Form 1099‑K. That doesn’t make business income tax‑free—owner‑operators and fleets must still track and report all taxable receipts. Meanwhile, other payment apps (like PayPal and Venmo) follow the…
DOL MOVES TO LOOSEN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR RULES, EYES RETURN TO ‘ECONOMIC REALITY’ TEST Labor Department plans to rescind the 2024 IC rule and revert to a more flexible standard under the Fair Labor Standards Act, a potential tailwind for leased‑on owner‑operators and carriers using contractor models. FMCSA EXTENDS HOS RELIEF…
Why this matters for owner-operators and fleets in 2026 Tax season never really ends in trucking, and the stakes are high: cash flow, compliance, and time off the road. Calculus Tax has launched an expanded Learning Hub compiling 100+ plain‑English explainers on tax planning, bookkeeping, payroll, IRS notices, and entity…
What changed The IRS has signaled another round of changes to how companies measure foreign-currency gains and losses under Section 987—rules that matter if your trucking business operates in Canada, Mexico, or other markets through branches or subsidiaries that keep books in a non‑U.S. dollar currency. In Notice 2026‑17, released…
FORD RECALLS 4.4 MILLION VEHICLES OVER TRAILER-LIGHT COMMUNICATION FAULT NHTSA says a software glitch can cut communication between trailers and tow vehicles, disabling lights and signals. Ford will issue an over‑the‑air update; affected models include 2021–2026 F‑150s and several SUVs STELLANTIS CEO: NORTH AMERICA TO RETURN TO PROFIT IN 2026…
Why this matters for trucking now IRS guidance on the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) is arriving in pieces, and the timing matters for how fleets and owner-operators plan 2026–2027 equipment buys and facility projects. CFO Dive reports that tax pros expect a steady stream of clarifications this…
IRS extends PFML enforcement relief through calendar year 2026 The IRS has granted states and employers another year to adapt payroll and reporting systems for state Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs. In Notice 2026-6, issued December 24, 2025, the agency extends transition relief through December 31, 2026 for…
