Donald Trump pitched his tax plan as a win for middle-class Americans, including truckers, but now truckers across the country are learning that the changes in deductions and withholding are leaving them with significantly lower tax refunds, and some even owe money. Instead of fulfilling his promise to put more money in the pockets of working families, Trump’s tax plan has enriched big corporations and their wealthy shareholders, while the truckers he promised to help say they’re worried it will make them “go broke”.

Trump repeatedly touted his tax law as a boon to truck drivers.

Associated Press: “President Donald Trump pitched his tax plan as a boost for truckers at an event Wednesday in Pennsylvania, saying, ‘America first means putting American truckers first.’”

TRUMP: “I’d like to invite a few of you up here — and you’re already up for the most part — to share with the American people and with all of the folks that are here how the tax cuts have improved your lives.  And we’ve had some incredible — we’ve had some incredible stories, actually. Joining us today are Derek Leathers and Quinton Ward with Werner Trucking in Omaha, Nebraska.”

But in reality, truckers aren’t feeling the benefits, and now they’re worried the Trump tax law will make them go broke.

KFVS: “Both Holland and Henson says one particular group concerns them the most during the tax season. ‘It’s changed for a lot of people, but yes. People are noticing the truck drivers the most,’ Henson said. ‘A lot of our truckers that work for a company and get a W-2, used to be able to take off their per diem per day. Fees, supplies they buy for their truck, that’s went away,’ Holland said. ‘That’s a big change for them. It’s going to lower a lot of refunds. for the most part they are going to be impacted pretty hard’ ‘If you do that to me, I’m going to go broke,’ Todd Petro, a truck driver gassing up at the Pilot in Marion said.”

Reading Eagle: “Ironically, smaller refunds and unplanned tax bills are a side effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2018, which reduced the tax burden for millions. Jeff Hummel, a 57-year-old veteran truck driver from Fleetwood and Metzger’s client for nearly 20 years, met with Metzger on Tuesday, then called his wife, Beverly, right after the meeting to say he had good news and bad news. The good news was that the taxes were done, he said. ‘And before I could even say what the bad news was, she said, ‘Oh, no.’’ The modest annual tax refund that the Hummels enjoyed for the past couple of decades now was what Hummel called a substantial tax bill. Without disclosing the amount, Hummel said, ‘I never had a bill like this.’”

New York Times: “Nancy Bay, a 65-year-old bookkeeper from Garrett, Ind., was disheartened to learn how the new rules would affect her and her husband, a truck driver. While they usually receive a refund of about $1,500, they will have to pay about $400 this year.Ms. Bay blamed the withholding issue, and the loss of her husband’s ability to deduct his business expenses, which are not reimbursed by the trucking company he works for. Even the larger standard deduction did not make up for it, Ms. Bay said. ‘He cannot come home to eat each night to save money,’ she said. ‘He has to pay for showers. He has a cellphone that he used for business — we used to be able to deduct part of that.’”