IC_03-17_OnlinEdition

CONTENTS 

March 2017 • Vol. 20 • Iss. 3 

Business Solutions 

Interesting things 

to know: 

IRS – Tax-Refund ID 

theft is down 

Page 12 

IC News 

ATA Congratulates 

Elaine Chao on 

Confirmation as 

Transportation 

Secretary 

Page 22 

Product Profile 

Goodyear Expands 

Total Solution 

Products To Help 

Truckers Lower 

Operating Costs 

Page 38 

s t a f f 

General Manager Megan Hicks 

Sales Manager Jerry Critser 

Creative Director Chad Singleton 

Administrative Staff Tammy Borrelli 

Charlene Abernathy 

Editor Sean O'Connell 

Advertising Account Executives 

Roger Fair 

1.256.676.3688 

rogerf@targetmediapartners.com 

Sean Hayes 

1.256.405.4017 

seanh@htwoservices.com 

John Hicks 

1.770.418.9789 

johnh@targetmediapartners.com 

Meg Larcinese 

1.678.325.1025 

megl@targetmediapartners.com 

Greg McClendon 

1.678.325.1023 

gregmc@targetmediapartners.com 

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4 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR 2017 www.TruckDriverMagazines.com

Business 

Solutions By Shasta D. May 

INTERESTING 

THINGS TO KNOW 

Internal Revenue Service – 

Tax-Refund ID theft is down 

There were 237,750 people who filed affidavits 

with IRS saying that they were victims 

in the first nine months of 2016. But that was 

down from 

512,278 filings 

in the same 

period of 2015. 

The number 

of confirmed 

fraudulent tax 

returns that 

made it into the IRS processing system totaled 

787,000 in the first nine months of 2016…down 

from 1.2 million in the same period in 2015. 

Jobs – Half of American workers over age 25 

will have a bachelor’s degree or higher by 

2035 

That is up from 40% 

today. A continuation of 

the long running trend 

toward more education 

that started half a 

century ago. Advanced 

knowledge and skills 

are increasingly vital in 

jobs across a range of 

industries. 

Technology - Monthly Fees for Internet 

Connected Gadgets 

Subscription plans are growing for Wi-Fi 

gadgets of all sorts, from web cameras that 

offer video storage to refrigerators that dispense 

personalized health tips. Manufacturers are 

eager to move buyers away from one-off purchases 

in favor of recurring payments. Despite 

the added costs, subscription sales should see 

steady growth from consumers and businesses. . 

Social Security – Social Security Recipients 

see small 0.3% hike in benefits in 2017 

People who turn 66 in 2017 do not lose 

benefits if they earn $44,880 or less before they 

reach that target age. Individuals who are 62 

through 65 by the end of 2017 can make up 

to$16,920 before they lose any benefits. There 

is no earning cap once a beneficiary turns 66. 

The amount needed to qualify for coverage 

climbs to $1,300 a quarter. So, earning $5,200 

anytime during 2017 will net the full four quarters 

of coverage. 

Health Care – Medical Innovations set to 

make big strides in 2017 

New quick acting drug to treat depression 

called ketamine, which promises to help 

many of the one-third of depression patients 


Business 

Solutions 

who don’t respond to 

other drugs. Johnson & 

Johnson is nearing approval 

for a version that 

is delivered by nasal 

spray. Liquid biopsies 

to detect cancer early in 

its development. Based 

on blood tests rather 

than painful traditional 

biopsies, they detect 

DNA fragments shed by a tumor. Bioabsorbable 

stents to replace metal coronary stents. Made of 

a polymer that dissolves naturally, they widen an 

artery for three years and then break down. 

Tax Preparers – Tighter Rules for Preparers of 

returns claiming certain tax credits 

Starting with 2016 tax returns due in 2017, 

preparers must document how they figured a 

flier’s claim was valid for certain credits. Form 

8867 now includes a due diligence checklist for 

preparers that includes Child Tax Credit, American 

Opportunity Tax Credit and the Earned 

Income Tax Credit. 

HELPFUL APPS 

& WEBSITES 

Figure it out – Calculator.net 

Calculators for retirement needs; fuel costs; loan 

costs; compound interest and more. 

How fast does your brain work? – TestMyBrain.org/ 

about.html# 

Test your problem solving and reaction times 

and see how you compare with others. Data 

for this citizen science project has already been 

collected from 1.3 million volunteers around the 

world. 

Free Short Films – ShortOfTheWeek.com 

Choose among comedy, documentary, drama 

and sci-fi genres. Films are from 5 to 20 

minutes long. 

This article has been presented by MBA Tax 

& Bookkeeping Service, a company proud 

to provide Corporate/LLC filings, income tax, 

bookkeeping and IRS problem resolution 

services to truckers in states. If you would 

like additional information or have questions, 

calls are always welcome. Contact us at 

(888) 407-1669 or visit our website at www. 

mbataxhelp.com. 

This article is provided for informational purposes 

only and is not intended as legal or tax 

advice. Each individual business situation is 

different and the information contained herein 

is meant for general information purposes 

only. Specific tax and legal recommendations 

can only be made after an individual 

has consulted his or her qualified tax or legal 

professional. 


NEWS 

Independent Contractor 

March 2017 

Kenworth Makes 

Meritor MFS+ Front 

Steer Axle Standard on 

Class 8 Trucks 

Kenworth Class 8 trucks are now 

standard with the lightweight, Meritor(R) 

MFS+(TM) front steer axle series for linehaul 

applications. The new axle is available 

in standard and wide track configurations, 

with a gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of 

12,000 and 13,200 pounds. 

The Meritor MFS+ axle saves weight, 

enhances performance, and reduces service 

time. The new axle’s optimized gooseneck 

beam design provides a stronger, lightweight 

package. The low-profile design element simplifies 

integration into the chassis to reduce 

maintenance costs. 

The axle also offers high-angle turning 

capacity up to 55 degrees and is compatible 

with air disc brakes and all drum brakes. An 

offset knuckle, with integrated torque plate 

and tie rod arms, is available with air disc 

brake applications. It eliminates the need for 

separate torque plate and fasteners, saving an 

additional 15 pounds compared to the current 

air disc brake installation. 

The new design also reduces space constraints 

for easier access by technicians. The 

MFS+ is designed for mounting each brake 

at “12-o’clock” for easy removal. Overall 

the MFS+ with integrated torque plates and 

tie rod arms may reduce weight by up to 85 

pounds – depending on brake and axle configuration 

– resulting in increased payloads. 

For more information, visit www.meritor. 

com. 

ATA Congratulates Elaine 

Chao on Confirmation as 

Transportation Secretary 

Leaders at the American Trucking Associations 

congratulated Elaine Chao on being 

confirmed as the 18th Secretary of Transportation. 

“Secretary Chao has a long and distinguished 

track record, from her time as 

Secretary of Labor where I got to know her 

best and her service as Deputy Transportation 

Secretary as well as with the United Way 

and Peace Corps,” said ATA President and 

CEO Chris Spear. “Wherever she has gone, 

Secretary Chao has demonstrated the kind of 

leadership and vision we need to address our 

nation’s pressing transportation issues and 

we look forward to quickly getting to work 

with her.” 

“The trucking industry is excited to begin 

working with Secretary Chao, and eager to 

join with her in pushing to improve the safety 

and efficiency of our nation’s highways,” 

said ATA Chairman Kevin Burch, president 

of Jet Express Inc. 

22 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR 2017 HUNDREDS OF JOBS www.TruckJobSeekers.com


NEWS 

ATA Commissions Survey of 

Trucking’s Charitable Efforts 

American Trucking Associations President 

and CEO Chris Spear said the organization 

has commissioned the American 

Transportation Research Institute to examine 

and quantify the trucking industry’s various 

charitable efforts. 

“In October, during my first State of 

the Industry address, I said ATA would be 

launching a charitable foundation aimed at 

our industry’s top priority,” Spear said, “but 

to do that, we must first identify what it is our 

industry already does. From disaster relief 

efforts to community programs and from 

disease awareness to schools and youth organizations, 

we know trucking already supports 

a vast array of worthy causes. This survey 

will helps us narrow that list down so we can 

focus our soon-to-be-launched foundation’s 

efforts.” 

“Trucks deliver more than just the freight 

that our communities need,” said ATA Chairman 

Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express 

Inc., Dayton, Ohio, “they deliver money and 

volunteer efforts for charities and organizations 

in their communities. We want to take 

that giving spirit national with a new industry 

foundation, and this survey will help us do 

that.” 

The survey, which can be taken at www. 

atri-online.org or by clicking here, asks 

respondents to break down their efforts by 

individual or corporate, state and value of 

contributions. 

“As I said in October, I am certain our 

total charitable giving is in the billions of 

dollars, but in order to effectively tell the 

story of our industry’s generosity, we need 



NEWS 

to really understand all that trucking does 

to make our community better,” Spear said. 

“I’m looking forward to the results of ATRI’s 

survey and to the launch of our Foundation 

later this year.” 

Women In Trucking 

Association Announces its 

February Member of the 

Month 

Women in Trucking Association (WIT) 

announces Iesha Hawkins as its February 

Member of the Month. 

Iesha was a mechanical building engineer 

when she decided to become a professional 

truck driver. She said, “I love to drive so 

what better way than doing what I love to do 

and get paid for it. It’s really like not working 

at all.” She has been driving professionally 

now for over three years. 

As a company driver for National Carriers, 

Inc. (NCI), Iesha hauls refrigerated 

freight. In July 2016, she was named the National 

Carriers Driver of the Month. She was 

the youngest female in the company’s nearly 

50 year history to be awarded this honor. 

“Iesha is a military veteran, a dedicated 

mother and an excellent professional driver. 

She is a great example of young professional 

women making a positive impact in our 

industry,” said Ed Kentner, Director of Social 

Media, NCI. 

Iesha loves what she does, but admits that 

it can be a challenge to be away from family 

for so long at a time. Her advice to other 

drivers is, “Strive to be the best driver you 

can be. Don’t let anyone discourage you from 

doing your job.” 



PRODUCT 

PROFILE 

Goodyear Expands Total Solution 

Products To Help Truckers Lower 

Operating Costs 

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is expanding 

its Total Solution of trusted products, 

a nationwide network, reliable services and 

fleet management tools to help trucking fleets 

lower their operating costs. 

New offerings include the Goodyear Endurance 

LHD premium long-haul tire, a new 

service management tool, and more, according 

to Gary Medalis, marketing director. 

Medalis 

listed highlights 

of 

Goodyear’s 

Total Solution 

during the 

2017 Customer Conference, including: 

— Trusted products, including the new 

Goodyear Endurance LHD premium longhaul 

tire, which will launch later in 2017, 

and three new SmartWay-approved Kelly 

Armorsteel long-haul tires. Also on display 

at the conference were the Goodyear Fuel 

Max RSA, which offers long miles and 

toughness for regional fleets and the Goodyear 

Marathon long-haul line. 

— Goodyear’s nationwide network, which 

encompasses more than 2,300 tire and service 

locations from coast to coast, including 

authorized Goodyear commercial tire dealers 

and Goodyear Commercial Tire & Service 

Centers. 

— Reliable services, including the 24/7 

Goodyear-Fleet HQ Emergency Roadside 

Service program, which helps trucks that 

have been immobilized 

by road 

hazards return to 

service quickly. 

“The Goodyear- 

Fleet HQ Emergency 

Roadside 

Service program, which enjoyed a record 

year in 2016, is powered by the Goodyear 

Smart Tech App,” said Medalis. “The Smart 

Tech App is helping our servicing dealers 

drive down roll-times to help trucks return to 

service more quickly.” 

— Fleet management tools, including a new 

service management tool built upon the 

Goodyear Smart Tech App “and will help 



PRODUCT 

PROFILE 

our dealers manage their resources more 

effectively with a live dashboard that reports 

the location and status of their road service 

technicians,” Medalis noted. Goodyear 

will add Bluetooth capabilities to the tool, 

which will enable road service technicians to 

electronically check and record fleet tire data. 

Goodyear also unveiled a new OTR Proposal 

Developer to help dealers’ sales teams make 

it easier to sell Goodyear OTR tires. 

“And our enhanced Preferred Fleet Dashboard 

extends high-level service reporting 

to our dealers’ local customers — the same 

reporting that national accounts enjoy. 

“Goodyear is the only tire company that 

offers the Total Solution of trusted products, 

a nationwide network, reliable services 

and fleet management tools — all designed 

to help fleets lower their operating costs,” 

Medalis concluded. 

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire 

companies. It employs about 66,000 people 

and manufactures its products in 48 facilities 

in 21 countries around the world. 

For more information about Goodyear 

and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/ 

corporate. 



Advertiser 

Index 

The Ad Index is provided as a convenience. The publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. 

COMPANY PAGE COMPANY PAGE 

ATS .............................10, 36 

BCT ................................37 

Bennett ..........................18, 27 

Cargill ..............................29 

Carrier One, Inc .......................23 

Celadon ..................... Cover, 6, 51 

Enterprise Truck Line...................31 

EM Way Inc.. ......................24, 50 

Fed EX Custom Critical ..............13, 44 

Hirschbach ........................5, 52 

Landstar ............................30 

Logix Transportation ...................41 

MAG Carriers .........................17 

MATS. ..............................21 

Mercer Transportation ................9, 42 

Miller Truck Lines ..................40, 48 

New Waverly .........................25 

Page Trucking ........................39 

Panther .............................20 

Progressive Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11, 49 

RTI...............................8, 47 

Stageline Express .................... 2-3 

Star Freight ..........................43 

Summit Express ......................35 

Tran Stewart ..........................7 

Trans Am .........................15, 46 

TruckJobSeekers.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 50 

Turquoise Trucking. .................26, 48 

UPS ................................33 

Y & T Trucking ........................19

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