Quick Question About BOLT Express And 1099 Work

Hey gang...

I can't seem to find much on BOLT express (straight trucks). Does anyone have inside knowledge or a link to some real information? I was offered a 1099 position, which I have heard both pro and cons for. As a fairly new guy in the industry, is 1099 decent? or stay far away from?

Thanks....ROLL SAFE!!

Try searching on "1099" on Trucking Truth. You'll find a generally negative opinion. And for the contractor (employer) it's illegal in most cases. It's a sham way for an employer to avoid paying for things they legally should, like their portion of Social Security, unemployment, workmen's comp, and withholding for taxes.

So I feel 1099 is in your "stay far way from" department.

I know a lot of people don’t like YouTube here but there is some arguments going on about 1099 positions. There are some team opportunities that say they’ll pay over 2000 a week but it’s 1099. With 1099 you have to pay for your own health insurance and like Errol said there isn’t any deductions you can take so you will be paying self employment tax, state tax, federal tax among other tax which is partially taken out and paid for by a W2 employer. Make sure you really look into it.

I know a lot of people don’t like YouTube here but there is some arguments going on about 1099 positions. There are some team opportunities that say they’ll pay over 2000 a week but it’s 1099. With 1099 you have to pay for your own health insurance and like Errol said there isn’t any deductions you can take so you will be paying self employment tax, state tax, federal tax among other tax which is partially taken out and paid for by a W2 employer. Make sure you really look into it.

Yes, as a 1099 (self employed) you are required to pay all your own taxes, including the half of social security tax normally paid by the employer. You will also have to pay them in advance, in quarterly payments, otherwise, you will likely be assessed a penalty.

https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employment-tax-social-security-and-medicare-taxes

Basically if you are driving a truck that is owned by the company who is considering you as a 1099 sub contractor, you are being cheated, and they are operating in an illegal fashion. If you don't like being cheated, or working for a company with illegal accounting practices and standards, then RUN AWAY FAST!

BOLT is what I recommend, not who I recommend.

Old School...

BOLT is what I recommend, not who I recommend.

LOL. We really need a like button or thumbs up or something.

To play devil's advocate though, being classified as a 1099 is not necessarily illegal, though it definitely is a way for employers to avoid the employers portion of taxes, benefits, etc.

If the employer simply gives you a load and tells you when you can pick up and when you need to drop off and the rest is hands off, they may be legal. If they require specific equipment, trucks, uniforms, routes, control your home time, etc., then they could well be considered an employer for legal purposes.

I have gone through this for years with online job boards for my business. These companies treat you as employee while classifying you as a 1099, but somehow the IRS has let them slide. But with all these 'gig economy" companies popping up, such as Lyft, Uber, etc., they are starting to take another look.

This may help: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/understanding-employee-vs-contractor-designation

If they treat you as a true 1099, it can well be in your favor. You would have the option of being home whenever you want, taking whatever loads you want, etc. But somehow, I don't think that is the case with these trucking companies.

I sold fences for a fence company when I first started my company to make ends meet. I worked when I wanted, took vacation when I wanted, etc. The owner didn't like it, but I told him to either hire me, or I was a contractor, he couldn't have it both ways.

By the way, I have no idea how 1099s in the trucking industry works, they may well be illegal, and they are definitely doing it to benefit themselves.

That's why I posted the link, so you can check for yourself.

1099 jobs in the trucking industry aren't illegal. But when you're driving a truck that is owned by the company, you're exclusively hauling their loads on their schedule. That is not a legitimate 1099 job description.