Tax Deductions Every Concrete Contractor Should Know

Concrete-Specific Deductions

Ready-Mix and Materials

Every yard of concrete, every bag of cement, rebar, wire mesh, forms, stakes, release agents — 100% deductible.

Equipment Depreciation

Concrete mixers, power trowels, screeds, vibrators, concrete saws — all depreciable assets. Items under $2,500: deduct full cost in year one. Items over $2,500: Section 179 or MACRS depreciation.

Vehicle and Fuel

Concrete contractors burn serious fuel — trucks pulling trailers with equipment. Track every mile. At $0.70/mile, 20,000 business miles = $13,400 deduction.

Alternatively, track actual expenses: fuel receipts, maintenance, tires, insurance. Use whichever method gives you the larger deduction.

Disposal and Dump Fees

Concrete demolition generates waste. Every dump fee receipt is deductible.

Seasonal Considerations

In cold-weather states, concrete work is seasonal. Off-season expenses like equipment maintenance, training, and business development are all deductible.

"I was ordering 200+ yards/month and not properly tracking materials as business expenses. My accountant found $14,000 in unclaimed deductions from materials alone." — Ray C., Denver CO

Subcontractor Payments

If you hire pump trucks, finishers, or laborers as 1099 subs, those payments are fully deductible. Get W-9s from every sub.

Your next step: Set up a simple spreadsheet: date, job, yards ordered, cost. Track every pour for one month — you'll be surprised by the numbers.