21 Tax Write-Offs for Car Rental Providers

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Ah, renting a car — the last true marker of adulthood. As a car rental provider, you provide temporary freedom to visitors, tourists, and people caught in a clutch. But who’s got your back when tax time comes?

At Keeper, we help keep more of your hard-earned rental income by finding all the best write-offs for car rental providers. Take these write-offs for a spin, and you’ll be surprised how much lower your tax bill can be. Don’t let these savings drive past you!

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Repairs & maintenance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 9

Write off what you pay for any car repairs and scheduled maintenance.

📋
Auto insurance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

You can deduct the auto insurance premium on cars you rent out.

Vehicle registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 23

State registration fees for the vehicles you rent out can be written off.

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Parking fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If you pay to park your car at a pickup location for renters, you can write this off.

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Car depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

You can deduct the depreciation of the car you rent out each year.

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If you drive for work ...

Working as a car rental provider might mean driving your own car around town — perhaps to meet with a supplier, mechanic, or detailer. Luckily, you can write off a portion of the money you spend on your car. The amount you can claim is tied to the percentage of time you use it for work.

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Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!

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Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!

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Car purchase & depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.

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Vehicle tool kit
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.

☂️
Car insurance & registration
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 15

Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.

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Car maintenance
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 9

Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.

If you discuss work at a restaurant ...

If you meet with a potential client for lunch to try and secure a deal, the IRS views this as a business meal, and you can claim the cost on your taxes.

Similarly, the cost of grabbing a bite or drink with mechanics, car salespeople, or fellow car rental providers can be written off.

🍔
Business meals
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24b

If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!

If you leave town for work ...

Heading to an out-of-town industry conference or workshop specifically for car rental providers? Go ahead and write off your travel expenses.

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Transportation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.

🏨
Travel lodging
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.

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Meals while traveling
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 24a

When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!

If you work from home ...

If you work from home, on client development or managing paperwork and finances, for example, the IRS allows you to claim a portion of your home office expenses — things like a new desk or a portion of your property insurance.

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Home office furniture
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 18

A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.

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Property repairs
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 21

You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.

🔌
Power bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.

🌪️
Property insurance
Write it off using:

Form 8829

Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.

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Water bill
Write it off using:

Form 8829

It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.

🌐
Wi-Fi bill
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 25

Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!