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Accounting Lions

Who we help · Trucking & Owner-Operators

Bookkeeping for Twin Cities owner-operators.

Per diem, fuel tax, and a stack of 1099s from every broker you ran a load for. The deductions are real — but only if your books capture them.

Common things we see

What an owner-operator’s books need.

Deductions

Per diem + actual costs, tracked

The DOT meal per diem and your actual operating costs — fuel, repairs, insurance, depreciation — are real deductions, but only if you tracked them. We turn ELD reports, fuel receipts, and settlements into something your return can use.

Fuel tax

IFTA across state lines

Cross state lines and you owe IFTA — quarterly, by jurisdiction, based on miles and gallons. We coordinate the filings so a missed report doesn't become a stop-work order.

1099s

The stack from every broker

Each broker, freight company, and direct shipper sends a 1099. We reconcile what you actually got paid against what they reported — mismatched 1099s are how a CP2000 notice happens.

Why clean books pay off

What the rules actually say.

Per diem: $80 a day, no meal receipts

Self-employed owner-operators can deduct the DOT meal per diem — $80 a day, at 80% — for nights away from home, without saving every receipt. (W-2 company drivers can't, since 2018.)

Your rig: actual costs, not mileage

A semi can't use the standard mileage rate. You deduct actual operating costs — fuel, repairs, insurance — and depreciate the tractor over three years.

Form 2290 if you're 55,000 lbs+

Trucks at 55,000 lbs or more owe the federal Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax, filed once a year on Form 2290. We track the deadline so your tags don't get held up.

Which package fits

Most trucking & owner-operators owners we work with start with Books + Tax.

Trucking has the most documentation-dependent deductions of any business we work with — per diem, actual truck costs, fuel tax, and depreciation all stack up. Books + Tax keeps the documentation flowing year-round so April isn't a panic.

Books + Tax

Full-year bookkeeping plus annual tax filing — one person, one bill.

What clients say

Recent reviews, live from Google.

5.0
33 reviews

Mark Magelssen

3 months ago

I've worked with Tasha on my taxes for multiple years - she does both my personal and business taxes. She does a fantastic job - super communicative, detail-oriented, and awesome to work with. I can't say enough good things about Accounting Lions!

Kelli Sperrazza

4 months ago

Tasha was very thoughtful and thorough! First year using their services, so glad I found her!!

Jim Algeo

4 months ago

Tasha does my annual tax return. Fast, accurate, all done over the computer so super easy……and reasonable pricing. She knows her stuff!

Katelyn Volk

5 months ago

Tasha does a great job doing my taxes every year, very happy with her work!!

Nancy Anselmin

3 months ago

Very pleased with this service. Quick, convenient, reasonably priced. Will definitely use again!

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Ready to talk about your trucking & owner-operators books?

Email us — we’ll reply within a day and set up a free 30-min call when it works for both of us. No pressure. We’ll figure out whether we’re a fit.