Okay, we admit it...we made a mistake. What we want to know is...how many of you caught it? We're pretty sure the boss couldn't be the only one. Unfortunately, he happened to be the one that brought it to our attention.

We had a little glitch with the newsletter software in the last issue, that's why everyone was addressed as Dear {First Name}. Now, none of our readers mentioned it, and we want to thank you for overlooking our incompetence, however, the big guy caught it and wanted us to apologize in case anyone was offended. So, please accept our apologies and we'll try not to let it happen again, unless of course, your name really is First Name.

While we didn’t get any mail on the Dear First Name incident, we did receive several emails concerning the letter on per diem.

---

Mail Call

From: EH
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 4:48 PM
To: jobs@trukdriver.com
Subject: RE: January 15, 2007 eReport

In reference to per deim. I do mine through the IRS.

You get it back at the end of the year. I put mine into a retirement fund.

* * * * *

From: MEH
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 12:14 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: Re: January 15, 2007 eReport

In response to the issue about per diem: Whatever the amount the trucking company allots for per diem is within the legal limits of the tax laws. However, that amount requires more calculations when tax time rolls around. In my opinion, it helps the driver financially during the course of the year. However, I suggest drivers study the tax laws in their spare time or talk with a tax professional asking for info on per diem laws in order to gain a better understanding. I have seven years experience as a lease contractor and have had to study the tax laws to remain in business legally.

* * * * *

From: wizard8011
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 12:37 PM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: per diem

I worked for a company that had per diem. Say you drive for the week 2800 miles @ .40 cpm. That’s $1120.00 before any taxes are taken out. The .06 per diem comes out first.

You don’t get taxed on 2800 miles x .06, which equals $168.00 You get taxed on $1120 minus $168 or $952. The $168 {tax free} goes back onto your paycheck.

* * * * *

From: LA
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 8:18 AM
To: jobs@truckdriver.com
Subject: per diem

I was hired by a company at the rate of .34 per mile with a .06 per diem. The company decided to give an increase in per diem, there for reducing my pay rate to .323 per mile with an .08 per diem. My question is, is this legal?

* * * * *

Editor: Looks like the per diem issue is still out there. We’d love to hear more thoughts from our readers...but for expert advice we suggest you check with a certified tax expert. As a matter of fact, you might want to check with PBS Tax Service who addresses the issue of per diem below.

---

Trucker Buddy of the Month
Bruce Brandon

Bruce Brandon has been named the ACS MultiMedia Trucker Buddy Driver of the Month for December for going above and beyond in his efforts as a Trucker - he traveled all the way to Iceland to visit his class!

Through sending the weekly postcards and monthly letters to the sixth graders at Njardvikurskoli (Njardvik Elementary School), Brandon has taught his Trucker Buddy class about trucking in North America and more.

"Mr. Brandon has told us all about life on the road...we have learned about geography and culture and have postcards and letters from places we have never been to," wrote teacher Sigridur Dua Goldsworthy in her nomination. "Mr. Brandon also taught the kids a lot about the world and emphasized that we are one planet and need to stand united. We took part in cheering up kids in the south of the U.S. after Hurricane Katrina by sending postcards and good luck wishes, because Mr. Brandon got us involved in the task."

Brandon started his Trucker Buddy volunteerism with a second-grade class in New York, which was featured in an article in The Washington Times in 2002. When his teacher retired after they worked together for a few years, he requested an older class, and the only one available at the time was the class in Iceland. Njardvik is a small fishing town near the capital of Reykjavik.

In some ways, his experience corresponding with a class in a different country is no different from Trucker Buddies who have classes in their own countries.

"There is very little difference between these kids and any American teenager," Brandon noted. However, it does take correspondence longer to get back and forth, and it is a little more expensive. Instead of 24 cents to send a postcard each week, it costs 75 cents; Brandon also sends a letter once a month with newspaper and industry publication articles and that costs around $10.

Despite the geographic difference, Brandon was still able to make a class visit in conjunction with an annual trip he makes to Ireland. "I go back every St. Patrick's Day to where my grandparents lived," he said, "so when I got the class in Iceland it was a no-brainer to go there too."

"He has made all our lives richer and taught us so much about friendship, helpfulness and similarities and differences of our great countries," Goldsworthy said. "Thank you for the learning experience of having a Trucker Buddy."

Brandon, from Chattanooga, Tenn., has been with the Acklie family of trucking companies for almost 10 years. He started with C.R. England and currently is a driver for Crete Carrier Corp.

Brandon is among some 3,500 other professional drivers who share their time with elementary classes throughout the world. The only criteria to be a Trucker Buddy is to be a truck driver and willing to send a postcard each week to a class in grades two through eight. Drivers and teachers can find out more about the program by visiting www.truckerbuddy.org or calling 1-800-MY BUDDY.

Trucker Buddy is dependent on corporate sponsors such as ACS MultiMedia Advertising and TruckDriver.com to fund the program.

---

It's tax time again and here's a tax tip for tax season from PBS Tax & Bookkeeping Service, your trucking specialist.

You must file a tax return if your income is above a certain level. The amount varies depending on filing status, age and the type of income you receive. For example, a married couple under age 65 generally is not required to file until their joint income reaches $16,900. However, self-employed individuals generally must file a tax return if their net income from self-employment exceeds $400.
Check the "individuals" section of the IRS Web site at IRS.gov or consult your tax preparer for specific details that may effect your need to file a tax return. Even if you do not have to file, you should file to get money back if Federal Income Tax was withheld from your pay, or you qualify for any of the following:

* Earned Income Tax Credit
* Telephone Tax Refund
* Additional Child Tax Credit

Reminder - Per Diem rate for 2006 is computed at $52 per day under the special rules for the transportation industry. Seventy Five percent (75%) of the Per Diem is now deductible. Save those log books.

You can contact PBS at www.pbstax.com or by calling 1-800- 697-5153.

---

As we go to press, it appears it's about a fifty-fifty split on the TruckDriver.com Driving Time Survey. Around half of you have been driving a truck for over five years and half of you have been driving a truck for less than five years, with the largest percentage of you responding you have been a truck driver for more than ten years.

Now, they want us to ask you how old you are...again, we're not sure why, but somebody upstairs seems to thinks it would be good information to know. So...click here to take the TruckDriver.com Truck Driver's Age Survey. And, please, not all of you can be thirty-nine!

Until next time, keep on truckin' and please drive safely.

---

Your Comments Are Always Welcome