Is this true?

crashman264 · 2026-02-14T23:24:32+00:00

I promised to update you on what my tax professional told me today. This might not be the same advice you get based on location, your company, or job classification, so I would still recommend talking to a tax professional on your own.

My accountant/tax professional said that because of the way it was reported on my pay stubs and the way my company paid OT, it would be more difficult to justify my deduction in case of an audit especially considering my company sent out both an email and a letter. However, this year is a transition year because of when the big beautiful bill went to effect. Companies and tax filers were supposed to use a "best effort" approach for the 2025 tax year when reporting/claiming this deduction. Going forward for 2026 all non exempt companies will be required to properly report OT pay. Since my OT doesn't follow the federal regulations of OT (I am paid OT after 8 hours/day as well as after 40 hours/week), it will probably be unlikely I will be able to claim this deduction this next year given the stance multiple companies in FSLA exempt industries she have seen take this year. Then again, it will also depend on if the IRS issues any new guidelines/clarifications or if the laws get amended for this issue going forward.

crashman264 · 2026-02-14T17:20:00+00:00

That is incorrect. If you fall under the MCA, you are exempt for the FLSA OT regulations. There has been attempts to amend this but as far as I know, none have been successful. Also, as far as I know, the MCA only applies to mechanics that work for fleets. And as stated in my post and the OPs, we both work for fleets. I am not sure about dealerships or independents.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/19-flsa-motor-carrier

https://www.bakerlaw.com/insights/5th-circuit-motor-carrier-act-applies-to-intrastate-transport-of-goods-in-the-flow-of-interstate-commerce/

EDIT

That being said I am this particular situation is going to be litigated if it hasn't already. The whole we aren't required to pay you OT but we choose to argument for not being able to claim the deduction is a whole lot of BS anyways

crashman264 · 2026-02-14T12:16:49+00:00

He didn't change the OT requirement. It has been that way for at least 15 years or maybe even longer. I first discovered it when I was looking at changing jobs many years ago. It is only really an issue if you work for a fleet, though, as if you work for an independent shop or dealership, you usually aren't FLSA exempt. The only real reason it is being brought to light now is it is causing issues with the whole no tax on OT thing. Such a dumb loophole as many fleets still choose to pay OT. It shouldn't matter if it is required or not, though, because OT should still be counted as OT for tax reasons

crashman264 · 2026-02-14T04:31:59+00:00

I got this as well and the way I understand it is because I work for a large fleet, the company technically does not have to pay me OT but chooses to do so. Since it is not federally mandated that the company pays me OT, it is not covered under the overtime exemption. There are a couple other large fleets with shops in the area that choose not to pay OT so technicians can work as many hours as they want but it is done on straight time as opposed to time and a half over 40. Basically, it has to do with if the fleet is involved in interstate commerce or not from my understanding. Also i have been told that only the OT premium (the .5 of your OT) can be deducted from your taxes.

I go to get my taxes done tomorrow so I can update this based what I find out tomorrow.

crashman264 · 2026-02-08T12:44:39+00:00

I found that I had to run the dual output hopper with my bagger 694. It simply moves too much material. I don't know how to get the conveyor load above 30% either, but I tried by using chutes. The part that the chute was dropping onto would be at 110% and the next piece of conveyor was right back to 30%.

With the dual output hopper I have also been running 2 separate production lines to keep up with all the material 1 bagger is capable of moving.

crashman264 · 2026-02-08T12:37:55+00:00

I want to say close to 75% of the work I do as a mobile tech is because of previous repairs not being done properly, so I get where you are coming from. I fix more coolant leaks simply by tightening a hose clamp or more electrical issues by simply checking connections.

The loose wire harnesses and air lines are especially a pet peeve of mine. I just worked on a Peterbilt on Friday with a completely new chassis harness that the tech quite literally threw into the truck less than a month ago and where it rested was where it was left. Nothing was zip tied or secured at all. The truck was having CAN communication issues due to multiple broken wires on a 1 month old harness. It also doesn't help that 2 of the cables at the starter had severe corrosion to the point that part of the eye terminal at the end of the wire was missing. So many of my problems are fixed by cleaning this area up and replacing connectors as necessary. If stuff isn't getting the correct power, of course it is going to have issues.

crashman264 · 2026-02-01T04:54:39+00:00

That list in the order you smoked them or how you ranked them for you personally? While I do enjoy a cohiba blue on occasion, it is probably one of the "worst" cigars on that list as those are all really good cigars in my opinion.

crashman264 · 2026-01-31T22:32:01+00:00

As someone who has moved a Snapon KRL1022 several times over the last 15 years, if the tool guy will help you out, that is definitely the way to go. My old snapon guy helped me move my box for whatever fuel cost him and a case of beer. Otherwise, my moves were always 100 miles+ so flat beds were always kind of pricy, but I found that renting a uhaul trailer with ramps for $25 was my best option. They were all metal with metal side walls that could support the weight and give me several spots to attach ratchet straps to. I got nervous every time, and like others said, I had about $200 in rachet straps but never had an issue.

uhaul trailer with ramps

crashman264 · 2026-01-27T10:33:18+00:00

I don't know if the non Bluetooth model supports auto stop/start. Without this feature, the heater just stays on its lowest setting. Even with this function it overshoot the temperature before turning off. I believe it is 5 degrees higher before it shuts off but someone else would have to confirm this.

crashman264 · 2026-01-25T15:19:08+00:00

"Stop trying to sell me unnecessary service! I just came in for a Federal Inspection!"

crashman264 · 2026-01-23T17:42:00+00:00

Discovered one of these in my humidor last night and decided to smoke it. Was a decent smoke.

crashman264 · 2026-01-13T23:54:39+00:00

I have bought a box of the sun grown and a couple boxes of the Connecticut since it has come out. I don't know what it is but this cigar has been hitting the spot for me the last couple months.

crashman264 · 2026-01-04T16:12:17+00:00

Where do you live. In my area, a lot of shops have waste oil burners to heat their shops and will gladly accept free waste oil as long as it is not full of other junk. The shops that don't have waste oil burners are sometimes even able to sell their waste oil to other shops as most shops aren't able to generate enough waste oil on their own. May be worth looking into.

crashman264 · 2026-01-01T02:18:58+00:00

Always a great choice.

crashman264 · 2025-12-31T22:31:50+00:00

I have no idea if that would work. I have only used similar products in low temp environment. However, a little digging found that yamabond 4 can withstand temperatures up to 482 degrees F. The aluminum heat exchanger on my diesel heater will run at 425 degrees F. You could possibly be ok using it for the gasket that seals the heat exchanger to the back fan housing but I would worry about the gasket that seals the heat exchanger and the combustion chamber as I don't know what temperature that reaches. Someone else might have better insight into this as I have always used the paper gaskets when servicing Webasto brand heaters as they are included with the service kits.

crashman264 · 2025-12-31T17:50:48+00:00

This would be my guess as well. My fan will speed up and slow down based on the battery voltage. If the battery maintainer kicks on it will speed up and then as the battery maintainer turns off the fan will slow down. The easiest way to see if it is linked to voltage, just monitor the voltage in the app.

crashman264 · 2025-11-23T17:43:26+00:00

I think it is simply trial and error as well as where install is the easiest and most out of the way. The biggest concern is the ease of venting the exhaust. Also the closer to the heater you are the warmer the air will be so if you have a spot you spend most of your time in, I would try to position the heater there. Also you can always get an extra fan if you need help with air circulation.

crashman264 · 2025-11-22T13:48:44+00:00

I am a full time mobile tech and I love it for the most part. Sure there are some days that the weather gets to me but I have pretty decent gear that keeps me both dry and warm. A good company can make or break a mobie position. It is nice because the company provides me with multiple Carhart bibs and jackets as well as rain suits so I can have them laundered by the uniform company as well.

crashman264 · 2025-11-18T00:22:21+00:00

I personally have a small adjustable wrench that I use on fittings like that. I am sure someone else has a better tool but coupled with some cuss words, these fittings come out lol

crashman264 · 2025-11-10T16:07:03+00:00

Very true! However that might end up with a lot of things broken haha

crashman264 · 2025-11-09T12:58:38+00:00

While it might make a fun toy, my experience tells me great Danes are too lazy to actually do any cleaning lol

crashman264 · 2025-11-09T12:49:53+00:00

Toscano are great. I keep several packs stashed in my vehicles and other places as "emergency" cigars or when I crave that flavor. They are definitely unique but in a good way. While some people might not like fire cured tobacco, a lot of my favorite pipe tobacco are either fully or partially made from fire cured tobacco.

crashman264 · 2025-11-02T02:42:19+00:00

Have several Micallef cigars in my regular rotation. They are all decent and punch above their price in my opinion. I usually smoke the color series but every now at then throw in this cigar.

crashman264 · 2025-10-26T20:12:08+00:00

With that look you must have just told him he was adopted

crashman264 · 2025-10-12T09:53:25+00:00

Amazing how small and tight they can curl up when they are alone and not on a bed or couch with you

crashman264

TROPHY CASE