Can I write off my farm tractor?

Asked by: Mrs. Flo Schamberger  |  Last update: January 19, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (19 votes)

You may be able to write off your tractor and other equipment as business expenses on your taxes as long as you use it for business purposes. How you acquired your equipment and how you use it for your business are key factors that will determine how you can write them off as business expenses.

What vehicles are tax deductible for farmers?

Specialty Vehicles

Vehicles and equipment that clearly have no intended use beyond their specific work environment qualify for full deduction under Section 179. An example of this would be a farm tractor that can only be used in the field and would never be used for personal transportation.

How many years to depreciate a farm tractor?

Farm machinery falls into the 7-year class life MACRS depreciation category. Since the IRS allows only a partial year of depreciation to be claimed in the first and last year, it actually takes 8 tax years to fully depreciate the item.

Can you write off 100% of a 6000 lb vehicle?

The 6,000-pound vehicle tax deduction is a rule under the federal tax code that allows people to deduct up to $25,000 of a vehicle's purchasing price on their tax return. The vehicle purchased must weigh over 6,000 pounds, according to the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), but no more than 14,000 pounds.

Is buying farmland a tax deduction?

Although the price you paid for farmland cannot be deducted from your taxes, several other tax deductions are connected with owning farmland. The interest paid on loans used to purchase agricultural land might be deducted. It is possible to deduct any interest paid on loans to improve the land.

tax breaks for small farms

29 related questions found

How do I write off a tractor on my taxes?

Section 179 deduction - Write off the entire cost of the tractor in the year it was purchased. Depreciation - If you purchased a new tractor in 2023, you may be able to deduct up to all of the cost of the tractor in the first year you used it.

How many acres is considered a farm for taxes?

There is no minimum acreage required in order for your property to be considered a farm.

What is the 6000 pound vehicle loophole?

Yes, you can get a tax write-off for a vehicle over 6,000 lbs if you use it for business purposes. The tax write-off is known as the Section 179 deduction, which allows you to deduct the cost of qualifying vehicles from your taxable income.

What is the downside to section 179 deduction?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Taking Section 179

Section 179 lets businesses maximize deductions today and avoid delaying deductions to the future when the business may no longer exist. Two of the major disadvantages are as your income increases, it will move into a higher tax rate.

Can you write off car payments for LLC?

Yes, an LLC can write off a car purchase as long as it is used for business purposes. The exact amount of the deduction will depend on whether you use the standard mileage rate or the actual expense method.

Can a farmer write off a lawn mower?

IRS Section 179 tax deductions for farm machinery and equipment. Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Service tax code allows the costs of qualifying assets to be deducted in the first year of use instead of depreciated over time.

How long should a farm tractor last?

A typical tractor should last for around 4,000 hours of operation. Many factors go into how long equipment will last, including how the equipment was stored (outdoor storage will shorten the lifespan). But for a baseline, you can estimate that a used tractor will last for around that long.

What is the 5 year rule for farm losses?

A farm classified as a hobby cannot deduct losses against other income, whereas a business farm can. The primary difference lies in the intent to make a profit. One of the key benchmarks used by the IRS is the "3-out-of-5-years" rule.

What does the IRS consider a farmer?

A farmer is an individual who is engaged in farming per the definition found above (IRS Publication 225, page 1, “You are in the business of farming if you cultivate, operate, or manage a farm for profit, either as an owner or tenant”). Generally, the farmer has a profit motive when operating a farming business.

What is the 2 cow tax loophole?

The operational mechanisms of the 2-Cow Tax Loophole involve categorizing agricultural land into different tax brackets based on cow counts. These categories typically range from zero cows to various thresholds, such as 2-5 cows, 6-10 cows, and 11 or more cows.

Can you write off ATV on your taxes?

Section 179

The section says a business can deduct the purchase price of equipment bought during the past tax year. With this, when you buy a piece of equipment, such as a UTV, for your business, you can deduct the total price from your gross income while filing for taxes.

Do you need LLC for Section 179?

Any type of business entity—whether a C corporation, an S corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company or a sole proprietorship—is eligible to claim the Section 179 deduction for the cost of qualified business property placed in service during the year, subject to an annual limit.

Is Section 179 going away in 2025?

The Section 179 deadline is December 31, 2025.

Not only is this an effective financial strategy, but it is also an operational strategy that can help set the stage for success in 2025. Newer, more up-to-date equipment can help increase productivity and set your business apart.

Do you get money back from Section 179?

All companies that buy, finance, or lease new or used equipment qualify for Section 179 deduction. You can remove up to $1,220,000 from your total gross income. You can deduct 60% of the equipment's 1st-year depreciation cost as a bonus depreciation cost.

What vehicles qualify for 100% bonus depreciation?

General deductions for business use of vehicles

For new and pre-owned (used) vehicles, the maximum write-off for the first year is $10,200, plus an additional $8,000 in bonus depreciation. For SUVs with weights over 6,000 lbs., but no heavier than 14,000 lbs., the full 100% of cost can be depreciated.

Does a Ford F150 qualify for Section 179?

Currently, more than 150 vehicles qualify for Section 179, including the Ford F-150. Vehicles with the highest tax savings have a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of over 6,000 pounds and a bed length of at least six feet. Vehicles that typically qualify for Section 179 include: Ford F-150 Ford F-150 Lightning.

What is a 26000 pound vehicle?

Class 6 trucks weigh between 19,501 and 26,000 pounds. These are medium-duty commercial trucks such as single-axle, beverage trucks, and rack trucks. School buses are class 6, too.

Can a hobby farm be a tax write-off?

Under IRS rules, only farms operating as a business are eligible for tax breaks. In other words, if you have a “hobby” farm, you won't qualify. To avoid the label of a hobby farm, you may need to show that your farm occupies a certain portion of your land or that you attempt to generate a profit.

How many chickens to be considered a farm?

In general: Small-Scale or Backyard Farming: A small flock of 5–50 chickens is often considered a backyard farm, especially if the eggs or meat are primarily for personal use. Hobby Farms: A hobby farm may have 50–500 chickens, producing eggs or poultry products for local sale without being a primary source of income.

How much land is considered a hobby farm?

The size of a hobby farm can vary greatly from one country or region to the next depending on level of urbanization and land access. The size of a smallholding in Brazil is typically less than 500 hectares (1235 acres), while in America a smallholding is typically categorized as being less than 20 hectares (50 acres).