Fleet operators, owner-operators, and logistics companies have equipment depreciation and per diem strategies that dramatically reduce tax bills.
These are the opportunities we find in nearly every trucking & logistics engagement — money left on the table by traditional CPAs.
Not using Section 179 to expense new truck and trailer purchases in year one
Missing per diem deductions for drivers — worth $15,000–$20,000 per driver per year
Operating all trucks under one entity instead of separating fleet ownership from operations
Not claiming fuel tax credits for off-road or alternative fuel usage
Failing to optimize owner-operator vs. employee classification for tax purposes
These are the strategies we evaluate and deploy for every trucking & logistics client — tailored to your specific numbers.
Section 179 and bonus depreciation on trucks, trailers, and fleet equipment — full expense in year of purchase
Per diem allowance for drivers — $69/day (2024) deductible without receipts for meals while away from home
Fuel tax credits for off-highway use, biodiesel, and alternative fuels
Entity structuring: fleet holding company leases to operating company for asset protection
Retirement plans — defined benefit plans for high-income fleet owners, SEP-IRAs for owner-operators
How we turned a $217K tax bill into over $1M in cumulative savings.
Yes. Section 179 and bonus depreciation allow you to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying trucks and trailers in the year of purchase. A $180,000 truck purchase can generate a $180,000 deduction, saving $50,000–$70,000 in taxes depending on your bracket.
Drivers who are away from their tax home overnight can deduct a per diem allowance for meals — currently $69/day for transportation workers (who get a higher 80% deduction rate). For a driver on the road 280 days per year, that's over $15,000 in deductions annually, no receipts required.
Yes. Placing trucks and trailers in a separate fleet LLC that leases to your operating company protects those high-value assets from operational accident liability, creates legitimate lease deductions, and allows different depreciation strategies.
Credits are available for off-highway fuel use (farming, construction sites), biodiesel and renewable diesel blending, and alternative fuels. The specific credits vary by fuel type and use case but can range from $5,000 to $30,000+ annually for mid-size fleets.
If your net profit consistently exceeds $60K–$80K, an S-Corp election can save you $10,000–$30,000+ per year in self-employment tax. You pay yourself a reasonable salary and take remaining profit as distributions. This is one of the fastest-impact changes an owner-operator can make.
Book a free review and we'll identify the trucking & logistics-specific opportunities hiding in your numbers.
Tell us about your business and we'll identify every savings opportunity available to you.