Tool
Truck depreciation calculator
Estimate the annual depreciation deduction for a truck, trailer, or heavy equipment purchase using three common methods — straight-line, MACRS 3-year accelerated, or Section 179 immediate expensing — and see the estimated tax savings for each year.
This tool provides general estimates for planning purposes. Depreciation rules change annually. IRS limits for Section 179 and bonus depreciation vary by year and filing status. Consult a tax professional before filing. This is not tax advice.
Depreciation schedule
Year-by-year deduction schedule
| Tax year | Deduction | Remaining basis | Tax savings |
|---|
How truck depreciation works for owner-operators
When an owner-operator buys a truck or trailer, the IRS does not allow the full purchase price to be deducted in the year of purchase under standard rules — the cost is deducted over a number of years through depreciation. Depreciation is a paper deduction: it reduces taxable income without requiring additional cash outflow in the years after purchase, which is why it is one of the most powerful tax planning tools for owner-operators who buy equipment.
The depreciable basis
The depreciable basis is what you can actually depreciate — generally the purchase price minus the estimated salvage value. For most truck purchases, the depreciable basis is a large portion of the purchase price. Trade-in values and Section 179 elections affect the basis calculation — consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Straight-line depreciation
Straight-line depreciation divides the depreciable basis equally over the asset's recovery period. For most trucks and trailers, the IRS classifies these as 3-year MACRS property (over-the-road trucks) or 5-year MACRS property. Straight-line produces equal deductions each year — predictable but does not maximize early-year tax savings.
MACRS accelerated depreciation
MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System) is the standard IRS depreciation method and front-loads deductions into earlier years. The 200% declining balance method for 3-year property allows larger deductions in years 1 and 2, reducing taxable income fastest when the debt service load on a new truck is highest.
Section 179 immediate expensing
Section 179 allows a business to deduct the entire cost of qualifying equipment in the year it is placed in service, subject to an annual dollar limit (approximately $1.16 million in 2023, adjusted each year). This produces the largest first-year deduction and the greatest immediate tax savings. However, Section 179 is limited to your business income — it cannot create a net operating loss. Bonus depreciation rules may also apply on top of Section 179 for very large purchases.
MACRS 3-year rates used in this calculator
The calculator uses the standard IRS half-year convention MACRS 200% DB rates for 3-year property: Year 1: 33.33%, Year 2: 44.45%, Year 3: 14.81%, Year 4: 7.41%. These percentages are applied to the original cost (not the salvage-adjusted basis) per IRS MACRS tables. The actual percentages applicable to your purchase depend on the asset class, placed-in-service date, and IRS rules in effect for that tax year.