Key takeaways
- Truck Drivers file as 1099 / self-employed, so business expenses are deductible on Schedule C.
- Deductions cut both income tax and the 15.3% self-employment tax.
- The biggest write-offs for owner-operator truck drivers are listed below, with what each covers.
- You need receipts and a mileage log to claim them.
Tax write-offs for owner-operator truck drivers
Here are the deductions owner-operator truck drivers most commonly claim. Each one lowers your net profit, and therefore your tax:
| Deduction | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Diesel and fuel costs for business driving, a major line item for any owner-operator. |
| Truck payment, depreciation, or lease | Depreciation or lease payments on the tractor and trailer, or interest on the loan. |
| Maintenance and repairs | Tires, oil changes, parts, and repair labor to keep the rig road-ready. |
| Per diem meal allowance | Drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can claim a daily meal per diem (80% deductible) for nights away from home. |
| Insurance | Liability, cargo, physical damage, and bobtail insurance on the truck. |
| Permits, licenses, and tolls | CDL renewal, IFTA, IRP, heavy vehicle use tax, scales, and tolls. |
| Lodging on the road | Hotels and showers during overnight hauls. |
| Tools and supplies | Straps, chains, tarps, gloves, log devices, and other equipment. |
| Cell phone and ELD | The business-use share of your phone and electronic logging device service. |
| Association and load board fees | OOIDA dues, load board subscriptions, and dispatch fees. |
How the trucking per diem works (and the 80% rule)
Drivers subject to DOT hours-of-service rules can claim a daily meal-and-incidental per diem for each full day away from their tax home, instead of saving every meal receipt. Unlike the usual 50 percent limit, the DOT per diem is deductible at 80 percent. You still document the days and locations (your logs or ELD records do this), but you do not need the individual receipts, which is why the per diem is one of the most valuable trucking deductions.
Owner-operator vs company driver: who can deduct
These deductions apply to owner-operators and 1099 contract drivers who file Schedule C. Since 2018, W-2 company drivers generally cannot deduct unreimbursed job expenses on a federal return. If you own or lease your truck and receive a 1099, you are in the deduction-rich category; if you are a W-2 employee of a carrier, your best move is a reimbursement or accountable plan through the employer.
Turn owner-operator truck drivers deductions into tax savings
Every dollar you deduct lowers both your income tax and your 15.3 percent self-employment tax, so consistently tracking the write-offs above is what turns the list into real money. You can only deduct what you can prove, so capture receipts and miles as they happen.
See what these deductions save you with our free calculators, then let NeoReceipt make sure you capture every one.