What form and line do I deduct the 37 1/2 cents per mile on for
my business travel and do I need to figure depreciation of the vehicle, too?
A Sole Proprietor's business use of a car or truck is claimed on line 9
of Form 1040, Schedule C (PDF), Schedule
C, Profit or Loss from Business or, if eligible, line 2 of Form 1040, Schedule C-EZ (PDF), Net Profit from Business.
You may use either the actual expense method in calculating your car or truck
expense or, if eligible, the 2004 standard mileage rate of 37 1/2 cents per
mile. Depreciation expense is already included in this standard mileage rate.
Depreciation is only calculated as a separate expense when using the actual
expense method. Deductible employee business use of a car or truck may be
taken on Form 2106 (PDF), Employee Business
Expenses , or if, eligible, line 1 of Form 2106-EZ (PDF), Unreimbursed Employee Business Expenses. The car
and truck expenses are then taken with other employee business expenses on
line 20, Form 1040, Schedule A&B (PDF) Itemized
Deductions . For more information, refer to Publication 463, Travel,
Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses , and Publication 535, Business
Expenses .
References:
- Publication 535, Business Expenses
- Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car
Expenses
- Form 1040, Schedule C (PDF), Profit
or Loss from Business (Sole Proprietorship)
- Form 1040, Schedule C-EZ (PDF), Unreimbursed
Employee Business Expenses.
- Form 2106 (PDF), Employee Business
Expenses
- Form 2106EZ (PDF), Unreimbursed
Employee Business Expenses