It’s tax time truckers! Are you organized and knowledgeable about your tax deduction claims for this year? It certainly pays to be! There are over 100 tax deductions available to you as a truck driver, and we don’t want you to miss out on any! Keep these tax deductions in mind when you go to file your taxes.
Before we tell you what you may be able to deduct, we want to quickly explain the difference between standard tax deductions and itemized tax deductions.
A standard tax deduction is a deduction you can subtract to reduce your tax bill, a flat amount. Standard deductions depend on your age, filing status, etc., and may result in a larger deduction than itemized deductions.
An itemized tax deduction is an expense you keep track of during the year so you can write off when you do your taxes. This is why you need to stay organized so you can make it a habit to file all of your important documents and receipts with you on the road.
Access Fees
Cell phone data plans
Satellite
Fees
Association Dues
ATM Fees
CDL Fees
Check Fees
Comcheck Fees
Copy/Fax Fees
Credit Card/Business Loan Interest
CSA Score Fees
DOT Physical Fees
Drug Testing Fees
Load Board Subscriber Fees
Parking Fees
Postage Fees
Real Estate Expenses
Sleep Apnea Study
Weight Charges Fees
Hazmat Clearance Fees
Tolls
Hygiene
Showers/Shower Shoes
Vaseline
Visine
Laundry
Dry Cleaning
Soap
Tools
Crowbar
Duct Tape
Electrical Tape
Flashlight
Hammer
Pliers
Screwdrivers
Tire Iron
Wrenches
Transportation
Air/Bus/Cab Fare
Hotels/Motels
Clothing
Boots
Hard Hat
Rain Gear
Safety Glasses
Thermals
Gloves
Hangers
Laundry Bag/Soap
Uniforms
Alterations
Cleaning Supplies
Air Freshener
Armor-All
Broom/Dustpan
Hand Sanitizer
Paper Towels
Portable Vacuum
Rain-X
Trash Bags
Window Cleaner
Disinfectant
Office Supplies
Atlas
Calculator
Clipboard
Envelopes
Folders
Log Books/Covers
Paper/Paper Clips
Pens/Pencils
Rubber Bands
Stapler
White Out
Load Securement
Bungee Cords
Load Chains
Load Bars/Straps
Locks
Wide Load Flags
Miscellaneous Supplies
Ice
Bedding
Cab Curtains
Coffee Maker
Tupperware
Storage Bins
Thermos Bottle
First Aid Kit
Alarm Clock
The most important thing to remember is to keep all of your receipts:
Numbers
Auto Mileage
Cleaning/Detailing
Maintenance
Repairs/Parts
Finance Charges
You cannot claim these non-deductible expenses:
Expenses already reimbursed by your employer
Commuting costs
Personal clothing
Personal Vacations
Personal Loan Interest
Home phone line
Of course, everyone has a different tax situation, so just keep our advice in mind as an idea when you go to file your taxes. We want you to be prepared and get the most out of filing your taxes.