Connecticut truckers are going to have to pay a new tax on highway use that was implemented at the beginning of this year. The tax, which is levied on commercial vehicles are going to be required to pay a certain amount in taxes per mile, depending on how heavy their truck is.
Tax Specifics and Backlash
The tax applies to large commercial trucks which have a classification between class 8 and class 13. The fees can range from 2.5 cents per mile for vehicles between 26,000 and 28,000 pounds in weight, and up to 17.5 cents per mile for trucks weighing over 80,000 pounds. The first payments are due by February 28th.
One trucker, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the tax will cut into his profits significantly. “I’m barely breaking even as it is, and now I have to pay this tax on top of everything else,” he said. “It’s just not fair.”
Trucking companies are also feeling the pinch of the new tax. One owner of a small trucking firm said that the tax will force him to raise his rates for customers, which will make him less competitive in the marketplace.
Tax Will Support Infrastructure
The tax has also sparked controversy among truckers and trucking companies, who argue that it unfairly targets the trucking industry. Some have even called for a repeal of the tax, saying that it is unsustainable and will ultimately harm the state’s economy.
Despite the opposition, state officials have defended the tax, saying that it is necessary to fund the state’s transportation infrastructure. “We understand that the tax may be difficult for some truckers and trucking companies to pay, but it’s important to remember that these funds will be used to improve our roads and bridges,” said one official.
Wrap Up
It remains to be seen how the new tax will impact the trucking industry in Connecticut in the long run. In the meantime, truckers and trucking companies will have to find ways to cope with the added expense and continue to deliver goods to the state’s residents and businesses.