According to OOIDA, a number of confused (and irate) small-business truckers are reporting they received startling notices from the motor vehicle branch of Kentucky’s Division of State Valuation.

The notice advises of potential fines and loss of authority to operate as punishment for failure to file an apportioned property tax return.

“The thing is, truckers are getting these threatening letters whether they filed or not,” says OOIDA’s Gary Green.

The letter from the motor vehicle branch of the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet advises a trucker that the office has no record of his or her paying an apportioned vehicle tax return on file for the years 2000, 2001 and 2003.

“Many truckers are saying ‘what the heck is this’?” says Green. “Sources are telling us that the Division of Valuation has recently gone through a compliance audit.

“Apparently that the Division of Valuation cannot tell who has made filings and who has not. They seem to be in a state of disarray.”

Green says OOIDA is advising owner-operators who have received the letter to go through their records.

“You need to determine whether or not you completed the forms you were sent in the years in question, and if those forms were filed with the state of Kentucky,” he says. “If you find that you did return the forms, you need to notify the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet/Division of State Valuation, as soon as possible.”

Green says owner-operators who find they did not file have 45 days from the date of the letter to complete the required forms and submit them or notify the state of Kentucky.

“You need to tell them the reason you did not file. It is important to remember that anyone that fails to submit the required tax returns can be subject to penalties, fines and/or the loss of authority to operate in interstate commerce through the state of Kentucky.”

Green says truckers in need of forms to complete their tax return filings can request them at (502) 564-2555. If you have access to the Internet, you can obtain the files online. Go to www.revenue.state.ky.us, click on forms and scroll to property tax.