Tax Relief for Truckers in Response to Emergency

In a concerted response to the ongoing state of emergency, Virginia and Pennsylvania have decided to follow Maryland's lead by relaxing specific trucking tax regulations. These changes are crucial as they involve waiving the International Registration Plan and International Fuel Tax Association requirements for truck drivers engaged in moving goods to or from seaports during the crisis. To further aid truckers, Virginia is now offering complimentary 30-day permits for those hauling containers, a measure in effect until the emergency officially ends.

Extended Tax Relief

In Maryland, the easing of tax obligations continues with the suspension of International Fuel Tax Association requirements for port-related trucking activities. This suspension, detailed in a letter from Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman to IFTA Executive Director Carmen Martorana , is set to last through May 31. Moreover, the state has shifted the deadline for the quarterly IFTA tax return from April 30 to June 30, providing additional breathing room for truck operators. Amid these regulatory adjustments, FMCSA has also extended its emergency declaration. This expansion directly benefits drivers involved in the emergency relief efforts by extending the standard 11-hour driving limit by two hours. This extended driving time is aimed to remain in place until May 9 or until the emergency declaration concludes, whichever comes first.

Addressing the needs of the trucking community

The recent measures by state and federal authorities align with several critical requests from the Maryland Motor Truck Association, which were articulated following the bridge collapse. These include not only the extension of driver hours and relaxation of ELD rules but also the significant IFTA waivers. Other pressing needs identified were specific route openings for fuel haulers and financial support for affected local businesses, demonstrating a broad approach to supporting the trucking industry during crises. Adding to the supportive measures, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has signed an executive order to allocate $60 million in state relief funds to assist workers and businesses impacted by the bridge collapse. This state aid complements $60 million in emergency federal aid, ensuring a robust support system for the local economy and the trucking industry. Louis Campion, the President and CEO of the Maryland Motor Truck Association, has highlighted the importance of these measures, urging policymakers to leverage all available resources to assist the trucking sector, much like the aid provided following the Interstate 95 overpass collapse in Philadelphia.