Why owner-operators and fleets are hearing about a “$600 rule” If you’ve ever been paid through Venmo for a side haul, roadside repair, or parts resale, you’ve likely heard about a “$600 rule.” That nickname refers to a federal change Congress passed in 2021 that would have required payment apps…
TRANSPORTATION CAPACITY FALLS TO 4-YEAR LOW AS LMI SIGNALS TIGHTER TRUCKLOAD MARKET December’s Logistics Managers’ Index showed transportation capacity plunging to 36.9 (lowest since October 2021) as utilization and pricing climbed, pointing to the strongest freight environment in 3+ years heading into 2026. CLASS 8 ORDERS SURGE TO 42,200 IN…
Introduction New USDOT registrations edged higher during the holiday-shortened week of December 29, 2025 through January 4, 2026. Using verified filings, we analyze daily flow, week-over-week momentum, and where new entrants are clustering by state. We then connect those trends to current market signals—from manufacturing demand to fuel costs and…
What the “$600 rule” actually means The “$600 rule” is shorthand for a 2021 law that would have required payment apps to send IRS Form 1099-K to anyone who received $600 or more for goods and services in a year. That label stuck, even as the federal threshold changed multiple…
SAFETY GROUPS PUSH FMCSA TO KILL TEEN-TRUCKER PILOT EXTENSION Crash victim advocates asked FMCSA to reject extending the under‑21 interstate pilot (SDAP), citing limited data and higher crash risk among teen drivers. The agency is reviewing results and must report to Congress by March 10. BRAD JACOBS’ QXO SECURES $1.2B…
Why this matters now A new year is the right time to get ahead of tax trouble. A recent trucking-focused YouTube message urged owner-operators to “take ownership” of IRS issues and highlighted that 2026 brings fresh bracket thresholds. That’s true: the IRS has released 2026 inflation adjustments, plus updated per‑mile…
BORDERLANDS: MEXICO SLAPS TARIFFS UP TO 35% AS PODCAST SPOTLIGHTS CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT A new “Borderless Coverage” podcast digs into U.S.–Mexico trucking as Mexico begins tariffs up to 35% on imports from non-FTA countries, a move that could shift sourcing and cross-border freight flows. Chihuahua also emerged as Mexico’s top exporting…
Why this matters for fleets and owner-ops For many trucking businesses, the company is the nest egg: tractors and trailers, operating authority, customer contracts, and a shop full of tools. A Dallas trust-focused tax attorney can help you protect that value, keep the wheels turning if something happens to you,…
2025’S PEAK RETAIL SEASON THE BEST FOR TRUCKING IN YEARS Elevated tender rejections and an 18.9% jump in spot rates through late December marked the strongest Q4 peak since before the downturn, tightening capacity and rewarding spot-market carriers. ATA, SAFETY GROUPS SLAM DRIVERLESS TRUCK WARNING SYSTEM EXEMPTION Industry and safety…
Why you’re hearing about “$2,000 one-time deposits” A flurry of blog posts and social posts claim the IRS will automatically deposit $2,000 into Americans’ bank accounts in January 2026. One widely shared article outlines supposed eligibility thresholds and batch payment dates but cites no official guidance. Owner-operators and fleet managers…
