Two quotes for one job; Maximize expense for taxes or pay less?

[Emily Cole]

Let's say you have an expense that is a repair. You have two different quotes for two variations of the repair job. For context, your cash flow/income is small. One quote costs more than the other. Is it better to maximize the amount as a business expense to claim on taxes? Or is it better to consider your tight cash flow and choose the lesser option?

[Scott P.]

Hi Emily, I would always choose the lesser cost and never think that i could spend to save on taxes.  I don't mean to offend you but I think you may be misunderstanding the benefits of the tax expense?  

Briefly...Let's say I have $1000....If I pay $1000 for a repair, then I don't have to pay taxes on $1000 because it was a business expense that i "write off" but I don't have the $1000 any longer - the repair guy gets it all.  On the other hand if I choose the lessor option and pay $500 on the repair then I still have $500 leftover but I admit i have to pay taxes on that $500.  If my tax bracket is the 25% bracket then I pay 25% of $500 in taxes which is $125. 

After taking $125 out of my $500 bucks I still have $325 in my wallet.

So one way I pay $1000 but pay no taxes on the $1000 and my wallet is empty.  The other way I pay $500 and pay taxes the other $500 but I have $325 left in my wallet.  It's better to pay $500 and have $325 in my wallet than to pay $1000 to avoid paying $125 in taxes but have no money leftover.

I'm not a CPA or Lawyer.  So I'm talking about me and not giving you advice :-). 

What is probably more important in your case is to evaluate if the 2 quotes are equal or if the more expensive one may be better for some reason?