Set aside a portion of every load's pay for quarterly estimated taxes — don't wait until filing season to find out what you owe

Track mileage and fuel purchases by state throughout the year, not just when IFTA filing comes around

Keep every receipt for deductible expenses — fuel, maintenance, tolls, scale fees, per diem, and truck payments

File Form 2290 (Heavy Vehicle Use Tax) before the deadline if your truck is over the weight threshold

File IFTA fuel tax reports every quarter, even in a quarter with little or no driving

Keep personal and business expenses completely separate — a dedicated business bank account makes this easier at tax time

Track per diem days (nights away from home) — it's one of the larger deductions available to drivers

Keep depreciation records for your truck and any major equipment purchases

Work with a tax professional who specifically handles owner-operators — trucking tax rules differ enough from a typical small business that generic advice can cost you

Review your bookkeeping monthly, not just at year-end, so tax season isn't the first time you see the full picture

Tax Season Checklist for Owner-Operators