Congress Greenlights Big Tax Breaks for Truckers: QBI & Bonus Depreciation Roll On

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Why This Could Be the Best News Owner-Ops Have Heard All Year

Introduction:
Think Congress never does anything for the little guy? Well, for once, they didn’t forget about the folks haulin’ America’s freight. In a rare moment of agreement, lawmakers gave the thumbs-up to extend two tax-savin’ beasts: the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction and Bonus Depreciation—two financial lifelines that help truckers keep more of what they earn.

Whether you’re an owner-operator, leased on, or just thinking about buying your first rig, this ain’t just accountant talk—it’s money-in-your-pocket talk. Let's break down what just went down in D.C. and what it means for you behind the wheel.

What Is QBI (and Why Should You Care)?
QBI, aka Qualified Business Income, lets owner-operators deduct up to 20% of their net income from taxes. That’s right—you earn $100K in profit? The IRS acts like you only earned $80K when calculating your bill.

For truckers who:

File as sole proprietors or LLCs

Lease their truck or own it outright

Operate independently

…this can mean thousands saved per year.

Congress just voted to extend this deduction through 2026—so if you’re profitable, you’re smiling. If you ain’t profitable yet, it’s time to get your business tight, because this break rewards the hustlers.

Bonus Depreciation: Buy It, Write It Off
This one’s like Black Friday for business owners. Bonus depreciation means you can write off 100% of a qualifying truck or trailer’s purchase price in the year you buy it.

Example:
You buy a used $130,000 Freightliner? You can deduct the full amount—not slowly over 5 years like before.

This covers:

Big rigs

Trailers

Tools

Tech (like dash cams or ELDs)

Even office equipment if you’re running admin from home

The good news? Bonus depreciation was about to fade out—but Congress hit the brakes and extended it through 2026 at 100%. After that, it phases down gradually.

Why This Matters for Owner-Operators
Most folks see tax season as a time of pain. But smart truckers? They see it as opportunity. These two tax breaks:

Let you invest in your business (new truck? new laptop?)

Help you build wealth faster by lowering your tax burden

Allow more flexibility in cash flow for repairs, fuel, and survival between loads

If you’re running your own authority or leasing to a carrier, this is a green light to get serious about your business setup.

Multiple Perspectives (Because Not Everyone’s Clapping)
The Hustlers: “Finally, a break for us. Time to reinvest in better gear and grow the fleet.”

The Skeptics: “It’s just a temporary patch—they’ll snatch it back when we get comfortable.”

The Newbies: “Wait... what’s QBI again? Do I need an LLC for that?”

Reality check? It’s a win if you structure your business right and keep solid records. No more glovebox full of crumpled receipts and hoping TurboTax fixes it all.

Industry Buzz: Who's Taking Advantage?
Fleet owners are already getting strategic—buying equipment now to maximize depreciation.
Savvy lease-ops are talking to CPAs about switching from W-2 company jobs to 1099 setups.
And YouTubers with one truck and a drone? They’re turning tax breaks into trucking empire starter kits.

Even tax software companies are scrambling to update their systems, because truckers—yes, you—are realizing this stuff matters more than a new CB.

Bottom Line:
This ain’t just about numbers on a form—it’s about freedom. The more money you can keep, the more control you have over your business, your schedule, and your future.

Congress just gave truckers the green light to save big—but only those paying attention will actually benefit. So talk to a CPA who knows trucking, get your business structure right, and make these breaks work for you.

Because trust us: the tax man doesn’t wait—and the road won’t pave itself.

🧭 Call to Action (CTA):
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👉 Want to use that tax refund to start a side hustle or AI business? Roll over to TruckersSideHustle.com
👉 Tired of getting hammered by taxes every year? Build your exit plan at RetireFromTrucking.com

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