22 Tax Write-Offs for Truck Drivers
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.488000
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 trucker, you've likely got a good internal compass that helps you get from Point A to Point B. But that might not stop the tax-filing process from feeling like a disorienting maze.
Keeper is here to help you keep on trucking! Starting with this list of write-offs for owner-operators. From union dues and truck maintenance to a new GPS, claiming your business expenses can help significantly lower your tax bill. Read on for more examples that will steer you to savings.
Any type of GPS system you use while driving your truck is a write-off.
Write off everything you use to clean, including sprays, rags, soap, and more.
If you belong to a union, go ahead and write off your dues.
Routine and emergency maintenance for your truck can be written off on your taxes.
If you pay for policies to protect your trucking business, feel free to write off those costs.
Need to pay the FMCSA to keep your USDOT number updated? That counts as a business expense.
If you drive for work ...
If you drive to make deliveries or to bring the truck in for maintenance, feel free to write off your vehicle 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 buy food while on the road making a delivery or grab food or drinks with fellow truck drivers, you can write off the costs.
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
If you leave town for work ...
Driving to make an out-of-town delivery counts as a business trip so costs like lodging or meals can be written off.
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 ...
When you're not on the road, you might take care of necessary admin work from an at-home workspace, like conducting trucking industry research or managing client paperwork.
If that's you, you can claim home office expenses.
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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