26 Tax Write-Offs for Landscapers and Lawn Care Businesses

Icon check
Reviewed by
a tax professional

Keeping a tidy lawn is important — but what about keeping your wallet tidy?

Lowering your tax bill may seem like a thorny task, but it becomes a breeze when you claim all the write-offs you’re entitled to for your lawn care business.

To help you out, we've piled up all the clippings you can take in one place. Soon you’ll be stopping to smell the sweet blossoms of your success!

🌼
Lawn & gardening tools
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

Tools like shovels, tree trimmers, and more used for landscaping and lawn care can be deducted.

🚜
Landscaping machinery
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

Large machinery like lawn mowers can be written off from your taxes.

💦
Weed killers & sprays
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 22

You can deduct lawn treatments and sprays like weed killer.

📉
Equipment depreciation
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 13

Each year you can deduct the depreciation on equipment like your cameras and lenses.

🦺
Safety gear
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

Anything you wear to stay safe on the job is a write-off.

🛠️
Contract labor
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 11

Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.

🌐
Website & hosting fees
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.

💬
Advertising
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 8

Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.

📱
Phone, laptop, accessories
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

If buy a phone or laptop and use it for work, it's partially deductible.

🌽
Seeds & plants
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 38 (COGS)

Write off seeds and plants you purchase to grow and harvest.

Estimate tax saving

Track and claim every eligible deduction with Keeper

Keeper is the top-rated all-in-one business expense tracker, tax filing service, and personal accountant.

If you drive for work ...

As a landscaper, you might use your car to drive to clients' properties or to pick up supplies and tools. In this case, you can write off the portion of the car expenses that directly relate to earning income.

🅿️
Parking
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

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

🛣️
Tolls
Write it off using:

Schedule C, Box 27a

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

🚘
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.

🧰
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.

🔧
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 ...

Visiting a restaurant is a tax-deductible expense when the purpose is work-related. That might mean grabbing food or drinks with vendors, clients, mentors, or fellow landscapers.

🍔
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 ...

As a self-employed lawn care and landscaping professional, you can write off reasonable travel expenses when you go on a business trip, like to attend an out-of-town industry conference or trade show.

🛫
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.

🥡
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 regularly attend to parts of your landscaping business from home, like advertising and marketing, client development, or ordering tools and supplies, don't forget to write off a portion of your home office expenses.

🛋️
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.

🛠️
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.

🚰
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!