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The Daily Insight

What can I claim on my taxes as a truck driver?

Author

Andrew Mclaughlin

Published Mar 05, 2026

As a truck driver, you must claim your actual expenses for vehicles of this type. So, you can’t use the standard mileage method. To deduct actual expenses for the truck, your expenses can include (but aren’t limited to): Other unreimbursed expenses you can deduct include:

What kind of expenses can you deduct on a truck?

To deduct actual expenses for the truck, your expenses can include (but aren’t limited to): Fuel. Oil. Repairs. Tires. Washing. Insurance. Any other legitimate business expense.

Do you have to pay taxes on a truckers per diem?

It is because the IRS allows truck drivers to deduct about 80 percent of their total expenses. And if your company offers you the maximum truckers’ per diem of $63, you will only need to pay taxes on 20 percent of this amount.

What are the hours of service deductions for truck drivers?

While the IRS allows most industries to deduct 50% of meals, drivers subject to the Department of Transportation’s “hours of service” limits, can claim 80% of their actual meal expenses. The hours of service rule requires drivers who have driven a certain amount of hours to stop and rest for an assigned period of time.

The 9 Deductions You Should Consider (the nitty gritty details)

  • Cell Phone Plans & Internet fees.
  • Medical Exams.
  • Licensing Fees.
  • Food on the Road.
  • Truck Repairs/Maintenance.
  • Association Dues.
  • Personal Products.
  • Fuel & Travel Costs.

How do Owner-operators pay themselves?

How do owner-operators get paid? There are two main ways: a percentage of the load or mileage. Earning consistency is the biggest difference between the two. Percentage of load: Drivers take between 25-85% of the load revenue.

Can a truck driver claim a per diem deduction?

Truck Driver (owner-operator) is a sole owner and W2 employee in an LLC taxed as an S-Corp. His company (S-corp) gets 1099. He is an Individual subject to “hours of service” limits. How can he claim per-diem for the days he was on the road instead of deducting actual expenses for food/etc?

Why do truckers want a sole proprietorship?

The independence and ease that comes with skipping corporate business taxes, keeping business costs low and simplifying record keeping make a sole proprietorship an appealing choice for truckers. But when it comes to forming a fleet of trucks that you own and manage, the possibility of errors and accidents increases.

What are tax deductions for owner operator truck drivers?

Tax Deductions for Owner Operator Truck Drivers. Tax deductions for owner operators reduce the amount of self-employment tax and income tax associated with the income reported to the IRS. Self-employed or statutory employees generally file tax deductible business expenses on Schedule C with reported income.

Who are the owners of a trucking company?

In a corporation, the owners are the shareholders, and the shareholders of a corporation are separate from the business itself and cannot be directly sued for personal assets. This provides significant protection for a trucking company where a lawsuit could trigger substantial losses.