The Ultimate Guide to Tax Savings for Truck Drivers: Maximize Your Deductions & Keep More Cash in Your Pocket
Truck drivers work hard to keep goods moving, but when tax season rolls around, many end up overpaying simply because they don’t know what they can claim. Whether you're a company driver or an owner-operator, there are huge tax savings available to you—if you know where to look.
As a tax professional specializing in trucking industry taxes, I’ve helped countless drivers legally reduce their tax bills and increase their refunds. This guide will break down everything you need to know to save money and make tax season stress-free.
Common Tax Deductions for Truckers
Here are some of the biggest deductions truckers should be claiming:
Meal Expenses (Per Diem): Truck drivers can claim $69 per day while on the road. Over a year, this can add up to $20,000+ in deductions!
Lodging & Travel Expenses: Hotel stays, showers at truck stops, parking fees, and even laundry expenses can be deducted if you're away from home overnight.
Fuel & Maintenance: If you own your truck, fuel, oil changes, tires, repairs, and general upkeep are all deductible.
Truck Lease & Payments: If you lease your truck, those payments are a business expense. If you own your truck, depreciation can save you thousands.
Licenses & Training: Renewal fees for your commercial driver’s license (CDL), trucking association memberships, and continuing education courses are deductible.
Technology & Supplies: GPS devices, logbooks, ELDs, safety gear, and even work gloves can be claimed.
Insurance: Truck insurance, cargo insurance, and even health insurance (if self-employed) can be deducted.
Cell Phone & Internet: If you use your phone or laptop for work, you can claim a portion of your monthly bill.
Home Office Deduction: If you manage your business from home, you can deduct part of your rent, utilities, and office supplies.
Missed Deductions = Lost Money – Many truckers leave thousands of dollars on the table every year simply because they don’t track their expenses properly. We help make sure you get every deduction you deserve!
Employee vs. Owner-Operator: Different Tax Strategies
Company Drivers (Employees)
If you drive for a company and receive a T4, your tax-saving focus should be on: Meal deductions (TL2 form) Union dues Lodging & work-related expenses Work-related mileage (if not reimbursed by your employer)
Owner-Operators (Self-Employed Truckers)
If you own your truck or operate as an independent contractor, you have even more tax-saving opportunities, including: GST/HST refunds (if applicable) Full truck-related deductions (fuel, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, etc.) Hiring a spouse or family member for administrative tasks (income splitting strategy!) Maximizing home office deductions Deducting interest on truck loans
Pro Tip: Many truckers fail to properly track their expenses, which means they miss out on thousands of dollars in deductions. We help truckers organize, track, and maximize their deductions so they keep more of their hard-earned money!
Why Most Truckers Overpay in Taxes
Many truckers use generic tax services that don’t understand the complexities of the industry.
This leads to:
X Missed deductions
X Overpaying CRA unnecessarily
X Not filing GST/HST properly (for owner-operators)
X Leaving tax credits on the table
Solution? Work with a tax pro who understands trucking.
How We Make Filing Easy for Truckers
We know truckers don’t have time to sit in an office for hours. That’s why we make tax filing fast, easy, and convenient: No office visit needed – file from your truck! Send us your documents via phone, email, or our secure portal. Get your taxes done in 48 hours – no waiting! We find every deduction to maximize your refund.
Special Offer for Truckers
Limited-Time Discount: File before Feb 28 and get $50 off your tax prep!
Referral Bonus: Refer a trucker and get $25 off next year’s return.
Free “Trucker Tax Savings Guide” – Download our checklist to maximize deductions!
