30 Tax Write-Offs for Self-Employed Mechanics
NAICS business codeYour NAICS business code is a six-digit string of numbers that shows the type of work your business does. NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. When you do your taxes, you'll enter it in Box B of your Schedule C.811110
Reviewed bya tax professionalThis content has been reviewed by an Enrolled Agent (EA) with the IRS — the highest credential awarded by the agency. Enrolled Agents are empowered to represent all taxpayers before the IRS, on all types of tax-related matters. Accountants who earn this certification have passed a comprehensive three-part exam on individual and business tax returns. To maintain EA status, they must stay up to date in the field by completing 72 hours of continuing education every three years.As a mechanic, you know that having even one gear out of alignment can throw off an entire engine. You’re used to paying attention to all the small details. But what about when it comes to your taxes?
Too often, mechanics don’t realize all the pieces they’re leaving out, instead of building a beautiful savings machine. That’s why here at Keeper, we’re giving you all the parts you need to lower your tax bill, by bringing together all the write-offs you can use in one place. Soon you’ll be saving so much money, your wallet will be running like a well-oiled machine!
Any subscriptions to trade journals related to your industry are considered tax write-offs.
If you use software to keep track of appointments, write off the subscription.
This includes uniforms or any branded items you must wear while working.
Fees to renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Anything you wear to stay safe on the job is a write-off.
Print and online advertising costs for your business are considered write-offs.
Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, and other website service fees are fully tax-deductible.
Write off the fees you pay to contract labor to help you complete projects.
Do you pay a professional to audit your financial records and take care of your tax planning? Their fees are a write-off.
If you take courses to learn new skills as a contractor, you can write off what you pay.
Pay rent on your garage or shop? The IRS allows you to write it off as a work expense.
All of the tools you purchase to repair cars are considered write-offs.
Equipment needed to service cars are deductible.
Junkyard or landfill fees you pay to dispose of trash are tax-deductible.
If you drive for work ...
Working on other people's cars may mean spending a fair amount of time driving your own car for work. For instance, picking up supplies, attending a work-related course, or making house calls for clients who need repair work done.
If this applies to you, feel free to deduct some of your car-related expenses.
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you discuss work at a restaurant ...
If you talk shop over a meal with clients, suppliers, or fellow mechanics, you can write off the cost of the meal.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
The train ticket and hotel room you booked to attend an out-of-town trade show or industry conference, for example, are tax-deductible because they qualify as business trip expenses.
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write-offs.
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home ...
If you offer mechanic services from your home garage, you're of course eligible to claim home office deductions.
But don't forget to also take into account the time you spend working from home on administrative responsibilities, such as tool maintenance, client development, advertising, or doing industry research.
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? Your water bill counts.
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
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