TORONTO, Ont. — Canadian carriers operating in Pennsylvania may be liable for various state taxes above usual fuel taxes and registration fees.

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is seeking Canadian carriers interested in participating in an effort to try and negotiate an end to this practice.

The taxes the fleet group is concerned with are Capital Stock/Franchise Tax; Corporate Net Income Tax; and the Motor Carriers Gross Receipts Tax. Carriers are liable for these if the company logs more than 50,000 revenue miles or if the carrier makes 12 or more pick-ups or deliveries in Pennsylvania during the year.

The OTA is seeking an outcome, which would reflect a reduction in the look-back provisions and the elimination of penalties and interest for those that voluntarily come forward now to pay the taxes.

Cooperation from the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA) and the Quebec Trucking Association (QTA) is being sought for this action.

Without a sufficient number of carriers, there will be no interest by Pennsylvania in pursuing this further. Any agreement would be for named carriers only (OTA must be made aware in writing of specific carriers willing to settle with the State). Those who do not identify themselves will not be included in any future deals.

Also, the OTA will not be able to assist members regarding the application of these taxes once a conclusion is reached.

Individual names of carriers will not be given to the State unless a deal is reached or the carrier is satisfied with the deal and instructs the OTA to do so.

For more information contact Stephen Laskowski, OTA manager of policy development at 416-249-7401 or email at slaskowski@ontruck.org.