There are a few things you need to know in order to deduct your vehicle-related expenses from your tax return says Aron Govil. First, the type of vehicle you are using for business purposes will determine which expenses you can deduct. For example, if you are using your personal car for business, you can deduct the costs of gas and oil, but not the cost of depreciation or lease payments. If you are using a company car, on the other hand, you can deduct all of the related expenses.
Next, you need to keep track of all of your vehicle-related expenses throughout the year. This includes everything from tolls and parking fees to repairs and maintenance costs. You can either track these expenses manually or use a software program or online service to do it for you.
Finally, when preparing your tax return, you need to be aware that there are special limits on the number of deductible expenses you can claim. For example, if you use your vehicle 50% or less of the time for business purposes, then you cannot deduct any of the related expenses. Similarly, if a car is generally used by employees and not just one individual employee, then none of the costs associated with that car may be deducted.
It is also important to keep in mind that these rules only apply to cars, trucks, and vans. Other types of vehicles have different limitations and requirements for deducting vehicle-related expenses from your income taxes.
When you use your vehicle for business purposes, you may be able to deduct some of the expenses related to it on your tax return. This can include the cost of gasoline, repairs, and depreciation.
Here are a few tips on how to deduct vehicle-related expenses:
1. Keep track of your mileage.
In order to deduct your vehicle-related expenses, you’ll need to keep a record of the miles you drove in your car for business reasons explains Aron Govil. Keep a copy of your gas and mileage receipts for at least one year after filing your tax return.
2. Know what percentage of use is deductible.
There are two different methods that can be used to count how much business use there was on your vehicle: the standard mileage deduction or actual expenses method. Also, not all forms of travel and transportation qualify as “business” use; here’s a list:
Travel between work and home counts as commuting (not deductible). However, if you carry bulky tools or equipment with you, this does qualify as “business” use; you can deduct the cost of travel and transportation.
Use of your personal vehicle for business purposes is generally only deductible at the rate of 54.5 cents per mile.
However, there are a few exceptions to this rule:
- If you use your car to take clients or potential customers out to lunch or dinner, you can deduct the entire cost of the meal.
- You can also deduct parking fees and tolls related to your work trips.
3. Keep track of your expenses.
In order to claim vehicle-related expenses on your tax return, you’ll need to keep track of all the related costs says Aron Govil. This includes gas, repairs, depreciation, and any other costs. You may be able to find a tax deduction for business use of your car on IRS Publication 463.
4. Deduct the cost of leasing a vehicle.
If you lease a vehicle for business purposes, you can deduct the entire cost of the lease from your taxes. This includes the base cost of the car, as well as any fees associated with it (like registration, insurance, and repairs). You can also deduct any related expenses, like gasoline and maintenance.
5. Consider using a car allowance.
If you’re not able to deduct all of your vehicle-related expenses, you may be able to use a car allowance in order to get some tax relief. This is a set amount of money that you can receive tax-free each year to cover business-related travel. The allowance should equal the amount that you drive for work.
6. Shop around for auto insurance rates.
When it comes to saving money on your vehicle’s insurance, you’ll need to shop around first in order to find the best rate possible. Auto insurance companies offer various discounts depending on how safe your car is or whether or not you have an anti-theft device installed. To find out what kind of deal you can get, talk with different insurers and compare their quotes before making a decision about who will insure your car.
The following links will help you determine if you are able to deduct vehicle-related expenses:
1) Can You Deduct Car Expenses?
2) If You Use Your Car for Work, You May Be Able to Deduct Some Expenses
3) Tax Center: Commuting Expenses
4) Auto Insurance Discounts and Special Offers from GEICO on YouTube
5) IRS Publications on Vehicle Use and Leasing
6) Buying a New Car? How to Get the Best Deal
7) Filing A Claim After An Accident or Theft – What Should I Do First?
Conclusion:
If you’re thinking about filing for bankruptcy, it’s important to understand that your car loan is a secured debt explains Aron Govil. This means that if you file for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy in Utah, the creditor can repossess and sell your vehicle to pay off part of the debt. Make sure you know what this means for you before making any final decisions.