21 Tax Write-Offs for Railroad Contractors
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.811310
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.Learning to file your taxes as a railroad contractor can be stressful. But we have just the ticket to help make the road ahead a little easier to navigate: a list of write-offs that railroad workers typically qualify for!
By tracking the money you spend on things like safety training, licensing fees, protective gear, and the other work-related expenses that we've listed below, you'll find yourself on the right track to tax savings.
Any uniforms you're required to wear on the job are considered tax-deductible.
Any required training on safety protocols can be written off.
Write off the protective gear, like goggles and gloves, you wear on the job.
Fees to renew your license to perform your work are fully deductible.
Continuing education classes required to keep your job are fully deductible.
If you drive for work ...
You don't need to drive your car every day for work to claim related car expenses. Even the odd trip downtown to pick up necessary supplies, or a drive between job sites, counts.
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 ...
Business meals are tax-deductible, so if you meet a fellow railroad worker at a restaurant to talk about work, you can write it off.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
It can be full steam ahead on tax savings if you claim costs associated with business travel, like attending an industry conference or workshop.
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 take an online course, do industry research, or manage client paperwork from a designated at-home workspace, welcome aboard the home office deductions train!
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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