Can I purchase a car under my S Corp?

Asked by: Ms. Ashleigh Boehm PhD  |  Last update: January 20, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (65 votes)

If the business is the owner, then the business must be on the title. This might be a challenge with car loans and leases, but for the business to claim it as an asset and subsequent expenses the title needs to be in the LLC or S Corp's name.

Can I buy a car and put it under my business name?

Yes. However, using a car for business and personal reasons may reduce your overall tax deductions. For example, you won't be able to deduct any mileage acquired through personal use of the vehicle. So, you'll need to keep track of business mileage vs.

Can I write off my car payment if I own a business?

If you're a business owner, or self-employed, you can deduct your business-related car expenses using a Schedule C (Form 1040) Profit or Loss from Business. If you're a farmer, you can use a Schedule F (Form 1040) Profit or Loss from Farming to deduct your farming-related vehicle expenses.

What is the accountable plan for S Corp vehicle?

An accountable plan is used by S Corp owners to reimburse themselves for purchases and personal items that are also used by the business (aka mixed-use purchases). Home office and auto expenses are the most common expenses reimbursed through an accountable plan.

Can S Corp reimburse car payments?

To deduct the expenses of a vehicle that is owed personally by the business owner, the S-Corp can reimburse the employee expenses under an accountable plan or a non-accountable plan.

Business Owner Pays Tax On S-Corporation Distribution

25 related questions found

Can my S Corp pay for my cell phone?

You use the phone for business purposes 70% of the time and for personal reasons 30% of the time. You can use an accountable plan to reimburse yourself for 70% of the cost. This means getting $70 out of your company, tax-free, to pay for your phone bill each month. Your business can then write that off as an expense.

Can my S corp buy my personal vehicle?

Yes, you can sell your personal vehicle to your S corporation and then use Section 179 to deduct the cost, but there are some important caveats to keep in mind: Section 179 allows you to write off the full cost of eligible property in the year it is purchased and put into use for the business.

Can I buy property with my S corp?

As long as the shareholders approve, there are no restrictions on purchasing property for rental purposes. There are restrictions on the income derived from the property, though. The S Corporation is taxed as a pass-through entity and profits and losses pass through to its shareholders.

Can my S corp pay me rent?

The S corporation can pay you rent for the home office. The S corporation can pay you for the costs of a home office under an “accountable” plan for employee business expense reimbursement. Accountable Plan for S-Corporation Deductions and Reimbursements.

Can you write off 100% of a vehicle?

Small Business Customers May Claim Up to 100% of the Purchase Price of a vehicle. Under new depreciation laws, your business might be able to deduct up to 100% of the purchase on an unlimited number of qualifying vehicles that you will be using for business purposes!

How to buy a car as a business expense?

To claim a Section 179 deduction, you must:
  1. Purchase the vehicle for business.
  2. Use the vehicle for business more than 50% of the time.
  3. Only deduct the business use of the car.
  4. Take the deduction in the year you buy and place the vehicle in service (aka when it's “ready and available”)*

Can I run my car payments through my business?

Yes, you can write off the interest on a car loan if it's used for business purposes. You'll need to use the actual expense method to deduct this expense and you can only write off the business use portion of the interest. Also, keep in mind that your principal payments aren't deductible.

Is it worth buying a car through my business?

Pros of buying a car for your business

Deducting car expenses from your taxes can save your business money in the long run, and with a separate commercial car insurance policy, any accidents that occur while you're driving for business reasons will be handled through that individual policy.

Can I use my EIN to buy a car?

Yes, it is possible to buy a car with an EIN number, you just need to be sure to clarify with the sales team that this is your intention. When buying the car, make it clear that it's a business purchase of the vehicle, not a personal one as this impacts which credit application you'll have to fill out.

What is the benefit of buying a car in your business name?

When you buy a car under your business's name, you can deduct certain expenses, including gas, maintenance, ownership costs, auto loan interest, and depreciation.

What two forms of income can an owner of an S Corp take?

An S Corp owner has to receive what the IRS deems a “reasonable salary” — basically, a paycheck comparable to what other employers would pay for similar services. If there's additional profit in the business, you can take those as distributions, which come with a lower tax bill.

Can you get a mortgage with an S Corp?

Being an S-Corp owner can complicate the mortgage process, but it doesn't disqualify you from getting a home loan. With thorough preparation and a strong financial profile, you can navigate the mortgage application process successfully.

What are the owner limitations of an S Corp?

Stock ownership restrictions.

An S corporation can have only one class of stock, although it can have both voting and non-voting shares. Therefore, there can't be different classes of investors who are entitled to different dividends or distribution rights. Also, there cannot be more than 100 shareholders.

Can an S Corp write off a car purchase?

Auto Expenses

The business portion of vehicle expenses is tax deductible for an S-Corp. If the vehicle is used both in a personal capacity and a business capacity, then only the business portion is deductible.

Should I title my car in my business name?

In general, if the vehicle will primarily be used for business purposes, then it makes sense to register the vehicle as a company car. With this strategy, you could save money on your taxes—although you'll pay more for commercial auto insurance.

Can I take money out of my S Corp for personal use?

If you want to take money out of your S Corp, you have three options: Take a distribution. Pay yourself a salary. Give yourself a loan.

Can an S Corp write off mileage?

To write off your S Corp mileage, your company should reimburse you for the business use of your personal car. The vehicle is registered under your name and you pay all expenses such as gas, repairs, and insurance from your personal account.

Can S Corp owners pay their kids?

Remember, if you're an S Corp or C Corp owner, you will need to pay payroll taxes on your child wages, which significantly reduces any tax benefit. Some parents may be nervous to hire their child because they've heard of the Kiddie Tax, but this tax only applies to unearned income.

Can you write off car insurance for business?

You can typically deduct some or all of your car insurance premiums if you're self-employed or own a business and drive your car for work. The amount you can deduct depends on how much you use the car for business-related purposes.