Ah, renting a car — the last true marker of adulthood. As a car rental provider, you provide temporary freedom to visitors, tourists, and people caught in a clutch. But who’s got your back when tax time comes?
At Keeper, we help keep more of your hard-earned rental income by finding all the best write-offs for car rental providers. Take these write-offs for a spin, and you’ll be surprised how much lower your tax bill can be. Don’t let these savings drive past you!
Schedule C, Box 9
Write off what you pay for any car repairs and scheduled maintenance.
Schedule C, Box 15
You can deduct the auto insurance premium on cars you rent out.
Schedule C, Box 23
State registration fees for the vehicles you rent out can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 27a
If you pay to park your car at a pickup location for renters, you can write this off.
Schedule C, Box 13
You can deduct the depreciation of the car you rent out each year.
Working as a car rental provider might mean driving your own car around town — perhaps to meet with a supplier, mechanic, or detailer. Luckily, you can write off a portion of the money you spend on your car. The amount you can claim is tied to the percentage of time you use it for work.
Schedule C, Box 27a
Parking for a meeting downtown, or any other work trip, is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 27a
A toll while driving to or from a work destination is tax-deductible!
Schedule C, Box 13
If you buy a new car, you can write off part of the cost every year for five years.
Schedule C, Box 22
Flashlights, tire iron, duct tape, and other tools you may need in your vehicle are deductible.
Schedule C, Box 15
Car insurance monthly fees, registration, even roadside assistance are partially deductible.
Schedule C, Box 9
Oil changes, repairs, and regular checkups are all tax-deductible if you drive for work.
If you meet with a potential client for lunch to try and secure a deal, the IRS views this as a business meal, and you can claim the cost on your taxes.
Similarly, the cost of grabbing a bite or drink with mechanics, car salespeople, or fellow car rental providers can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24b
If you discuss work with a coworker, mentor, client, or prospective client, it's a write-off!
Heading to an out-of-town industry conference or workshop specifically for car rental providers? Go ahead and write off your travel expenses.
Schedule C, Box 24a
Planes, trains, and car rentals are all work-related travel costs that can be written off.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you travel for work, lodging expenses such as hotel rooms or Airbnb are write offs.
Schedule C, Box 24a
When you're traveling for work, all meals are tax-deductible. Even takeout!
If you work from home, on client development or managing paperwork and finances, for example, the IRS allows you to claim a portion of your home office expenses — things like a new desk or a portion of your property insurance.
Schedule C, Box 18
A desk, chairs, lamps, and other home office necessities are all tax write-offs.
Schedule C, Box 21
You can write off up to $2,500 for individual repairs to your property.
Form 8829
Gotta keep the lights on in your home office! A portion of your electricity bill counts.
Form 8829
Whether it's rental or homeowners insurance, you can write off a portion through your home office deduction.
Form 8829
It'd be hard to work in an office without running water, huh? You water bill counts.
Schedule C, Box 25
Your Comcast bill is a tax write-off. You need internet to do your job!
