Tax Guide for Contractors
Tax Deductions for Contractors & Remodeling Pros (2026)
If you're running jobs, managing subs, or doing the work yourself, here's what you can write off. Most of this stuff adds up faster than you think.
Key Takeaways
- Tools and equipment under $2,500 each can be expensed immediately as Supplies on Schedule C. Bigger purchases get depreciated or written off under Section 179.
- Most contractors doing 15,000 to 20,000 business miles per year can claim $10,000 to $13,000 in mileage deductions. Driving from home to your first job site is commuting and is not deductible.
- Payments to subcontractors are deductible as Contract Labor, but you must issue a 1099-NEC to anyone you pay over $600 in a calendar year.
- Commonly missed deductions include tool repair, trailer depreciation, job site porta-potty rental, first aid supplies, and drinks provided to crew on job sites.
Tools & Equipment
Items under $2,500 each can be expensed immediately as Supplies. Bigger purchases get depreciated or written off under Section 179.
- •Power tools (drills, saws, nail guns, compressors, etc.): Supplies (under $2,500 each) or Section 179 Depreciation
- •Hand tools (hammers, levels, squares, tape measures, chisels): Supplies
- •Ladders, scaffolding, sawhorses: Supplies or Depreciation (depending on cost)
- •Tool belts, bags, organizers: Supplies
- •Replacement blades, bits, consumables: Supplies
- •Generator: Depreciation or Section 179
- •Wet/dry vac, job site fans, heaters: Supplies or Depreciation
Vehicle & Transportation
Your truck is probably your second-biggest expense after labor. Track every mile.
- •Work truck or van purchase: Depreciation or Section 179 (actual expense method)
- •Truck mileage: Car & Truck Expenses (67¢/mile standard rate, or actual expenses)
- •Gas, oil changes, repairs, tires: Car & Truck Expenses (if using actual expense method)
- •Truck insurance: Car & Truck Expenses
- •Ladder racks, toolboxes, truck bed liners, work shelving: Car & Truck Expenses or Supplies
- •Truck wash: Car & Truck Expenses
- •Parking, tolls for job sites or supply runs: Car & Truck Expenses
- •Vehicle registration, truck tags: Taxes & Licenses
Materials & Job Costs
Everything you buy to complete customer jobs.
- •Lumber, drywall, concrete, paint, etc. for customer jobs: Cost of Goods Sold (if you track by job) or Supplies
- •Fasteners, screws, nails, anchors bought in bulk: Supplies
- •Sandpaper, caulk, adhesives, tape, drop cloths: Supplies
- •Safety gear (gloves, masks, goggles, knee pads, hard hats): Supplies
- •Job site cleanup supplies (trash bags, brooms, rags): Supplies
Subcontractors & Labor
Anyone you pay to help on jobs who isn't your W-2 employee. Learn more about how to categorize subcontractor payments on Schedule C.
- •Payments to subs (electricians, plumbers, HVAC, drywallers, etc.): Contract Labor
- •Day laborers you hire and pay cash/check: Contract Labor (issue 1099 if over $600/year)
- •Dumpster rental or junk removal services: Contract Labor or Other Expenses
Licensing, Permits & Insurance
The cost of staying legal and protected.
- •General contractor license renewal: Licenses & Permits
- •Individual trade licenses (electrical, plumbing, HVAC if you hold them): Licenses & Permits
- •Permit fees for jobs: Licenses & Permits (or pass through to customer and don't deduct)
- •General liability insurance: Insurance
- •Workers comp insurance: Insurance
- •Tool and equipment insurance: Insurance
- •Bonding fees: Insurance
Business Operations
Software, phone, internet, and other day-to-day business costs.
- •Estimating software (CoConstruct, BuilderTrend, Jobber): Office Expenses
- •QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or other accounting software: Office Expenses
- •Project management or scheduling apps: Office Expenses
- •Phone (business use percentage): Office Expenses or Utilities
- •Internet (if you use it for estimates, ordering materials, client communication): Office Expenses or Utilities
- •Office supplies (pens, notebooks, folders, printer paper): Office Expenses
- •Printer, computer, tablet for estimates and job management: Depreciation or Section 179
Marketing & Lead Generation
How you get new customers and build your reputation.
- •Truck lettering, magnets, or vehicle wrap: Advertising
- •Yard signs for active job sites: Advertising
- •Business cards, flyers: Advertising
- •Angi/HomeAdvisor/Thumbtack lead fees: Advertising
- •Facebook/Google ads: Advertising
- •Website, domain hosting: Advertising or Office Expenses
- •Photography of completed jobs for portfolio: Advertising
Professional Development & Associations
Staying current and connected in the trades.
- •Trade association dues (NAHB, local builders association): Dues & Subscriptions
- •Code update classes, OSHA training, certification courses: Education (Other Expenses)
- •Trade show or builder expo tickets: Education (Other Expenses)
- •Tool/equipment manufacturer training: Education (Other Expenses)
Shop, Storage & Office
Where you store your tools, materials, and run your business from.
- •Shop or warehouse rent: Rent or Lease
- •Storage unit for tools, materials, equipment: Rent or Lease
- •Home office (if you do estimates, bookkeeping, client calls from a dedicated space): Home Office Deduction
- •Shop utilities (electric, heat for workspace): Utilities
- •Security system for shop or tool storage: Other Expenses
Fees & Services
Professional and financial services you use to run your business.
- •Credit card processing fees (for customer payments): Other Expenses
- •Bank fees, business checking account fees: Other Expenses
- •Accountant or bookkeeper: Legal & Professional Services
- •Lawyer (for contracts, liability issues, business setup): Legal & Professional Services
- •Lien filing fees: Legal & Professional Services
Partial Deductions (Do the Math)
Some expenses are split between business and personal use. Track the business percentage and deduct only that portion.
Truck
If you use your truck for personal and business, track your mileage. Job site trips, supply runs, meeting clients, dump runs = deductible. Driving to your first job of the day from home = not deductible (that's commuting). Most contractors are 70-90% business use.
Phone
If you're taking client calls, ordering materials, coordinating subs, and managing jobs from your phone, that's business use. Track it for a month and calculate the percentage. Most contractors are 60-80% business use.
Home Office
If you have a dedicated space where you do estimates, paperwork, client meetings, or store materials/tools, measure it. Calculate square footage as a percentage of your home. You can deduct that percentage of rent/mortgage interest, utilities, insurance, repairs. This is especially valuable if you don't have a separate shop.
Commonly Missed Deductions
These are the deductions contractors forget about most often. They're all legitimate. They just slip through the cracks.
- •Tool repairs and sharpening services: Repairs & Maintenance
- •Trailer (for hauling tools, materials, equipment): Depreciation or Section 179
- •Job site porta-potty rental: Other Expenses
- •Water, Gatorade, or drinks you provide to your crew on job sites: Supplies or Other Expenses
- •First aid supplies for job sites: Supplies
- •Trade magazine subscriptions (Fine Homebuilding, JLC, etc.): Dues & Subscriptions
NOT Deductible (Common Mistakes)
Your commute from home to your first job site
That's personal commuting, not business mileage (even in a work truck).
Meals when you're working alone on a job
Grabbing lunch by yourself isn't a business expense.
Work boots, Carhartts, jeans, T-shirts
Even if you only wear them for work, if they're not a required uniform with a company logo, they're not deductible.
Traffic tickets or parking tickets
Fines and penalties are never deductible. Pay your meter.
Mileage: Track Every Trip
Most contractors leave thousands on the table by not tracking miles. Get a mileage tracking app (MileIQ, Everlance, Stride, QuickBooks Self-Employed) or keep a mileage log in your truck.
Deductible trips
- •Driving to supply stores (Lowe's, HD, lumber yard, specialty suppliers)
- •Job site to job site
- •Meeting clients at their property for estimates or walkthroughs
- •Dump runs
- •Picking up materials
- •Meeting with subs
- •Going to the bank for deposits
Not deductible
- •Home to your first job of the day
- •Last job of the day back home
Two Methods for Vehicle Deductions (Pick One)
Standard Mileage
67¢/mile (2024 rate). Simple, clean, easy to track. Most contractors doing 15,000-20,000 business miles/year = $10,000-13,000 deduction.
Actual Expenses
Track every dollar (gas, repairs, insurance, depreciation, loan interest). Calculate business percentage. Better if you have a dedicated work truck that's 90%+ business use and you're putting money into it (new tires, lift gate, major repairs).
You can't switch back and forth year to year on the same vehicle. Pick one and stick with it.
The Bottom Line
Keep receipts, track your miles, and don't mix personal and business expenses on the same card if you can help it. Makes tax time way easier.
If you want to get your bank and credit card transactions sorted into the right Schedule C categories without building a spreadsheet, that's what Categorize My Expenses does. Upload your statements, review the AI-suggested categories, and get an organized report for your tax filing.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules change, and individual situations vary. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Categorize My Expenses is a financial data organization tool. It is not a tax preparer and does not provide tax advice.
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