Can I write off a truck?

[Scott Gadea]

I owe 2 rental properties, (5 doors), in California. The 1st property is a single family home which is about 5 miles away from where I live. The 2nd property is a 4plex which is about 140 miles away from where I live.

My question is, am I able to buy a truck, and be able to write that truck off?

I need to buy a truck because my old one is done. It’s too old. It doesn’t make it to the 4plex. So I need to get a new truck. But trying to figure out if I get a new truck, will I be able to use that as a tax deduction?

[Linda Weygant]

The short answer is - probably not.  At best, you'd get a mileage deduction for miles driven to take care of landlording business such as maintenance, rent collection, inspections, etc.

You *might* be able to deduct such a vehicle if you were in the business of rehabbing your properties yourself - doing all the work, hauling the materials, etc - and all of the miles driven on the vehicle were specifically related to the property.  You are unlikely to rise to that level of use with 2 properties.