How much tax savings are you losing?
Six write-offs contractors miss. Answer from memory, and see what you're missing in taxes. The grey numbers are examples — type your own over them.
Business write-offs
Your truck
There are two ways to write off a work truck. You pick one. You can't use both on the same truck — the per-mile rate already pays you for wear and tear.
The rate changed mid-year. It was 72.5¢ through June. It's 76¢ now. This uses 74.25¢ for the year.
Gas, repairs, insurance and tags come off too, at your work share. Those aren't counted here.
Home office
A room, or part of one. Used for work and nothing else. The kitchen table doesn't count.
Your house costs
Not your phone. That's its own line below. If you own the house you can also write off part of the house itself. This leaves that out. It helps now, but you pay some back when you sell.
Tools and small equipment
Anything you bought outright last year that wasn't the truck.
Your phone
The work share of your bill.
Field software
ServiceTitan, Jobber, Housecall Pro, QuickBooks. These come off in full.
Licenses, training and gear
CSLB renewal. EPA 608, NATE, OSHA cards. Dues. Work shirts with your logo. Plain boots you would wear anyway don't count.
Last question. Who tracks all this?
Every line above needs a record behind it. Somebody has to write it down as it happens.
Takes 3 minutes. Your number shows up right here.
Put in at least one of your own numbers above first.
Where should I send your copy?
Your number shows up right away, and I'll email you a copy.
You can only save what your books show.
Or just reply to my email and I'll set up a time to talk.
Joseph Rios, Enrolled Agent · 2026 rates · Civita Tax Solutions
Where these numbers come from. Miles: your miles × 48 weeks × 74.25¢. That's the middle of the two 2026 IRS rates. Truck and tools: written off in year one, at your work share. Home office: the bigger of two IRS methods. Either $5 a square foot, or your office's share of what the house costs. Writing off part of the house itself is left out. Tax saved: federal only, after the 20% small-business deduction.
This is an estimate to talk about, not tax advice. It assumes you qualify. That turns on things this page can't see. Whether the room is used only for work. How much you really drive. Whether your truck weighs over 6,000 lb loaded. And whether you can prove it. A write-off you can't prove isn't a write-off.