Trucking industry specialists
Specialists who only work with carriers, fleets, and owner-operators
Trucking is one of the most regulated, tax-complex industries in the country. A CPA trucking industry specialist focuses their practice on motor carriers — so they know the depreciation rules, the IFTA filings, and the way bankers and factoring companies want financials presented.
What the specialist does
What a trucking industry specialists specialist actually handles
- Per diem tracking and meals deduction for over-the-road drivers
- IFTA fuel tax calculation and quarterly filings
- Vehicle, trailer, and equipment depreciation (Section 179, bonus, and MACRS)
- 1099/W-2 classification for owner-operators vs company drivers
- DOT, IRP, and 2290 heavy highway use tax compliance
Common tax issues
Tax issues this specialist handles every year
Generic firms miss most of these. A specialist surfaces them in planning conversations, not on the next IRS notice.
Per diem optimization
Owner-operators can deduct 80% of the DOT per diem ($69 domestic / $74 outside CONUS for 2024). Recordkeeping must support nights away from home.
IFTA quarterly returns
Mileage and gallons by jurisdiction; underreporting triggers a 50-state audit cascade.
Form 2290 heavy highway tax
Due Aug 31 each year for vehicles 55,000 lbs+. Missed filings stop registration renewals.
Section 179 and bonus depreciation on tractors
New and used tractors qualify, but the trade-in basis rules under TCJA are commonly missed.
S-Corp election for owner-operators
Once net earnings clear ~$80k, an S-Corp can save $5–15k/year in SE tax.
Bookkeeping requirements
- Settlement statement breakdowns by load and lane
- Fuel card reconciliation (EFS, Comdata, RTS) by truck
- Maintenance and repair tracking by unit number
- Factoring company advances and reserves
- Per diem calendar and HOS log archive
Payroll issues
- Owner-operator vs company-driver classification (AB5, FAAAA preemption issues)
- Per diem pay programs and accountable plans
- Multi-state withholding for interstate drivers
- Workers' comp by class code (long-haul vs local)
- 1099-NEC issuance for lease operators
Software used
The tools a real specialist works in
Pricing ranges
What you should expect to pay
Real market ranges from active engagements. Fees scale with complexity, location, and firm size.
Owner-operator monthly
$200–$600/mo
Bookkeeping, IFTA, quarterly estimates, 2290.
Fleet 5–25 trucks
$1,200–$4,500/mo
Driver settlements, fuel reconciliation, multi-state filings, fleet P&L.
Tax return — trucking entity
$1,200–$4,500
Depreciation schedule, per diem, S-Corp comp study.
Hourly advisory
$185–$375/hr
Entity restructuring, audit defense, financing prep.
Featured professionals
CPA trucking industry specialist — vetted pros accepting new clients
Verified specialists appear here as profiles are claimed and reviewed in United States.
Questions to ask
- How many trucking clients do you serve and what fleet sizes?
- Do you prepare IFTA returns in-house or coordinate with our ELD provider?
- How will you handle our Form 2290 heavy use tax?
- What's your approach to per diem documentation in an IRS audit?
- Can you advise on S-Corp vs sole prop for an owner-operator?
Red flags
- !Doesn't know what IFTA is or how to file it
- !Treats every truck purchase as immediate Section 179 without checking limitations
- !Files the trucking entity on Schedule C when an S-Corp would save thousands
- !Skips per diem because 'it's too risky' — leaving real deductions on the table
- !No experience with factoring company entries
Local provider links
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FAQ
About cpa trucking industry specialist
What makes a CPA a trucking specialist?+
A meaningful share of their client base (often 30%+) is motor carriers. They prepare IFTA and 2290 in-house, know per diem rules cold, and have working relationships with factoring companies and DOT consultants.
Is it worth paying more for a trucking specialist?+
Almost always. Specialists routinely save 5–10x their fee through better depreciation planning, entity structure, and missed-deduction recovery.
Can a trucking specialist help if I'm being audited?+
Yes — and a specialist's audit defense for IFTA or DOT-related issues is far stronger than a generalist's. Ask about their audit experience before engaging.
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