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Five frequently overlooked tax deductions for Truckers

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Five of the most frequently overlooked tax deductions for Truckers.

1. Uniform

Some carriers require drivers to wear uniforms. Others are OK with a flannel shirt and jeans.

If a carrier requires you to wear a uniform, you can deduct it on your tax return. To qualify for a tax-deduction, the uniform must be:

Required by your carrier
Not suitable for everyday use

You probably wouldn’t wear a uniform unless required, so the first item is easy enough to determine.

As for the second item, ask yourself whether or not you’d wear it voluntarily. If yes, don’t take the deduction. If no, save some money!

2. Laundry

Your uniform and other clothes will need to be cleaned from time to time. Fortunately, you can claim related expenses on your tax return.

While on the road, your laundry expenses are tax-deductible. This is provided that you don’t live in your truck, as you must be away from home to utilize this deduction. Keep all receipts for laundry expenses to ensure this deduction goes smoothly.

3. Satellite Radio

Many drivers are not aware of this, but satellite radio expenses are tax deductible. Since a driver can use it as a tool for weather and traffic information, a business need for this device is established and the IRS treats it accordingly.

This doesn’t mean you can’t deduct satellite radio if you also listen to your favorite bands and shock jocks on there. As long as the satellite radio is for your truck and not a personal automobile or other non-work location, write it off and save a few bucks.

4. Mobile Phone

Your mobile phone is also tax-deductible, provided that it is used for business purposes.

Keep all phone records to verify that your phone is used to make business calls.

To illustrate, trucker Hatem Elsayed lost a tax court case involving mobile phone deductions. He substantiated his claim of paying for the phone, but did not keep detailed logs of his calls. Thus, he was denied a mobile phone deduction because he couldn’t prove the business use of his phone.

5. ATM, Bank and Credit Card Fees

Fees for your various financial transactions are also tax-deductible. These include ATM fees, bank charges and credit card fees.

As with any other deduction, such fees must be for business purposes. Therefore, it is a good idea to separate your business and personal expenses.

Keep separate bank accounts and credit cards to use exclusively for business. Then, during each tax season, you’ll be able to calculate your deductions more easily instead of sifting through a combination of business and personal expenses.

Other typical deductions

2290 Tax
Advance fees
Advertising
Business use of your personal auto
Cell phone (percentage used for business)
Commissions
DOT authority
Drug testing
Fax fees
Fuel for APU (in gallons)
Fuel for reefer (in gallons)
Fuel for tractor
Health insurance
Home office expenses (call for details)
IFTA tax
Interest on equipment
Internet for truck
IRP plates
Legal and professional services
Lodging
Lumper fees
Miscellaneous
Number of nights away from home
On board computer
Other government costs
Permits
Postage
Rental of tractor or trailer
Repairs and maintenance
Safety clothing
Scales
Small tools
State road taxes
Steel toe boots
Tax preparation fees
Tolls
Towing
Truck insurances
Truck supplies
Truck wash
Uniforms

 

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