Deductions are where contractors lose the most money to bad advice. Work vehicles and the 6,000 lb rule, tools and equipment, travel and per diem, home office, accountable plans and the write-offs that do not survive an audit.

Most contractors don’t realize this, but your mortgage might be costing you way more in taxes than it should.

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Most contractors don’t realize this, but your mortgage might be costing you way more in taxes than it should.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

After tax reform, mortgage and HELOC interest rules changed — and a lot of business owners never caught up. The result? Lost deductions and unnecessary IRS checks. Here’s the key t

🚧 Top 10 Tax Deductions Every Construction Contractor Should Be Taking (Keep more of what you earn 💰)

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

🚧 Top 10 Tax Deductions Every Construction Contractor Should Be Taking (Keep more of what you earn 💰)

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Most contractors don’t overpay taxes because they make too much…They overpay because they miss deductions they’re legally allowed to claim. Here are 10 big ones to double-check in

🚧 Contractors: Your Truck Might Be Creating a Hidden Tax Write-Off (or Tax Bill) 🚧

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

🚧 Contractors: Your Truck Might Be Creating a Hidden Tax Write-Off (or Tax Bill) 🚧

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If your company reimburses you (or your employees) for business mileage, read this carefully. Most contractors assume: “I get reimbursed for mileage, so the vehicle is personal and

🦺 Work Clothes & Tax Deductions for Contractors

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

🦺 Work Clothes & Tax Deductions for Contractors

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Quick IRS rule: Work clothes are not deductible unless they’re not suitable for everyday wear.

Construction Contractors: Stop Drowning in Travel Receipts

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Construction Contractors: Stop Drowning in Travel Receipts

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

If you run a construction company, you already know the pain: Crews on the road Hotels, meals, incidentals Lost receipts and messy expense reports There’s an IRS-approved…

Some last minute tax deductions for contractors before the year ends:

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Some last minute tax deductions for contractors before the year ends:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

1️⃣ Maximize Home Office Deductions → Calculate square footage of your workspace. Multiply by $5 for a simplified deduction up to $1,500. Optimize by re-evaluating space usage. A c

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

If your business driving has dropped this year, it might be time to rethink how you deduct your vehicle expenses.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

For 2025, the actual expense method (fuel, repairs, insurance, plus depreciation) can often beat the standard mileage rate of 70¢ per business mile, especially if your mileage is l

Contractors—if you’re thinking about buying a personal vehicle in 2025, there’s a new tax perk worth knowing.

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Contractors—if you’re thinking about buying a personal vehicle in 2025, there’s a new tax perk worth knowing.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Starting in 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) lets you deduct up to $10,000/year of interest on a new auto loan. This applies whether you itemize or take the standard de

If your construction company donates to charity each year, be mindful that the OBBBA adds a new rule starting 2026 that could shrink your deductions.

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

If your construction company donates to charity each year, be mindful that the OBBBA adds a new rule starting 2026 that could shrink your deductions.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

More specifically, C corporations will face a new 1% “floor” on charitable deductions. For example:If your company earns $1,000,000 and donates $10,100 in 2026: 1% floor = $10,000

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

🦃 Thanksgiving Tax Tip for Contractors: Are Holiday Parties Deductible?

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

As we head into Thanksgiving, many construction business owners start planning holiday lunches, crew appreciation events, or year-end parties. It’s a great way to thank your team —

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

If you’re in construction, trucking, or heavy equipment, and you’ve been thinking about adding EV or alternative-fuel infrastructure, now’s the time to move.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (Section 30C) gives businesses a tax credit of up to $30,000 for installing qualified fueling or charging stations.

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

The underground construction AI tools that 99% will never discover:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

See below 1. Embrace Predictive Analytics for Cost Savings Use AI to predict project costs with 90% accuracy. Example: A major firm reduced overruns by 20% using this method.

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

If you’re a contractor, builder, or developer sitting on appreciated real estate or equipment, here’s how you could turn your next project into a tax-free investment.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Here’s how it works The IRS’ Opportunity Zone program was just revived (and expanded) by the new One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA).This means contractors now have another shot…

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

2025 just brought some serious write-off power back to the table that all contractors should know about as follows:

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

100% Bonus Depreciation is BackBuy new equipment, vehicles, or certain property after Jan 19, 2025, and you can deduct the full cost right away. No waiting years to depreciate it.

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

It’s one of the most common questions I get from contractors —“George, should I buy my truck under my business or just keep it in my personal name?”

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Here’s the short answer Putting it under the business: You can deduct everything — payments, fuel, insurance, repairs, and depreciation. Easier recordkeeping (all business).

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Not every write-off means cutting a check.Some of the best tax deductions for contractors are non-cash outlays — paper deductions that lower your taxable income without hurting your bank balance.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Here are a few worth knowing: Depreciation & Bonus Depreciation – Write off equipment, trucks, or tools (even if you financed them).

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Every contractor hits this crossroad at some point:👉 Do I lease that new skid steer, dump truck, or excavator… or just buy it outright?

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Here’s the short version Buying: Big upfront deduction with Section 179 or bonus depreciation (you can often write off the full cost right away).

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Beginning in 2026, the OBBBA opens the door for itemized federal tax deductions on personal casualty losses from state-declared disasters — not just federally declared ones.

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

That means if a governor declares a natural disaster in your state, the financial impact could now qualify for a federal tax deduction. For those in the construction and restoratio

💡 Did you know your business can reimburse medical expenses—tax-free—for you and your family?

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

💡 Did you know your business can reimburse medical expenses—tax-free—for you and your family?

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

A Health Reimbursement Arrangement allows business owners to set up a plan that reimburses employees—and their families—for qualified medical costs.

How Hiring Your Kids Can Save You Big on Taxes 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💸

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

How Hiring Your Kids Can Save You Big on Taxes 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💸

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Did you know that if you’re self-employed, hiring your children can be a powerful tax-saving strategy?

📂 Protect Yourself: Digitize Tax Receipts

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

📂 Protect Yourself: Digitize Tax Receipts

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

When it comes to an IRS audit, one of the top reasons taxpayers lose deductions is simple: missing or incomplete documentation.

Measuring a Casualty Loss after the LA Wildfires

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Measuring a Casualty Loss after the LA Wildfires

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

10/15 is around the corner, meaning even LA county residents returns are due in a few weeks. Please note, if you were affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, the IRS al

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

Act Now on Electric Vehicle Tax Credits

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

If you’re thinking about purchasing an electric vehicle for your business, or personally, time is running low. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed in July terminates thre

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

✨ New Charitable Deduction for Non-Itemizers ✨

Posted by

Janet Mercer

August 29, 2026

Starting in 2026, taxpayers who don’t itemize deductions will have a new opportunity to reduce their taxable income through charitable giving: $1,000 deduction for single filers $2

🏡 New Tax Break for Mortgage Insurance Premiums (But With Limits)

12 Apr

Contractor Deductions

🏡 New Tax Break for Mortgage Insurance Premiums (But With Limits)

Posted by

Janet Mercer

April 12, 2026

Beginning in 2026, the OBBBA may allow taxpayers to deduct mortgage insurance premiums on qualified contracts issued after 2006. These deductions will count as part of your qualifi