{"id":11458,"date":"2023-11-28T15:16:18","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T22:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=11458"},"modified":"2024-06-25T13:58:21","modified_gmt":"2024-06-25T20:58:21","slug":"buying-a-car-for-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/buying-a-car-for-business\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Tips For Buying a Car For Your Business: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Car Under a Business Name"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying a vehicle for your business can be a daunting task. With so many options to consider, from makes and models to financing and legal requirements, it&rsquo;s easy to feel overwhelmed. To make matters worse, choosing the wrong car can cost your company time and money down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By understanding the factors you need to consider from start to finish when acquiring a business vehicle, you can make an informed investment decision that truly supports your company&rsquo;s financial bottom line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"pros-and-cons-of-buying-a-car-for-business\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pros and Cons of Buying a Car For Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&rsquo;re in the shipping industry, you may have considered buying a vehicle for your business to increase your delivery output, reduce delivery times, and take on more clients.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you&rsquo;re <strong>operating in shipping or a different industry<\/strong>, you should take the time to weigh the following key factors before dedicating the funds needed to buy a car or start building a fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"benefits-of-buying-a-car-under-a-business-name\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Benefits of Buying a Car Under a Business Name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"pro-tax-advantages\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pro: Tax Advantages<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When you buy a car under your business&rsquo;s name, you can deduct certain expenses, including <em>gas, maintenance, ownership costs, auto loan interest, and depreciation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"pro-protect-your-personal-insurance-rates\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pro: Protect Your Personal Insurance Rates<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Business auto insurance covers business vehicles, so you don&rsquo;t have to worry about your personal insurance rates going up after an accident. Using a commercial vehicle for personal reasons, on the other hand, can impact your personal insurance rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"pro-streamline-business-operations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pro: Streamline Business Operations<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The right company car can improve efficiency and allow you to provide better service to your customers. For example, small businesses that offer local delivery can use company vehicles to make more deliveries, expand their delivery area, and offer faster delivery times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"cons-of-buying-a-car-under-a-business-name\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cons of Buying a Car Under a Business Name<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"con-high-upfront-costs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Con: High Upfront Costs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying a company car is a major investment, and depending on the state of your business, it can be difficult to justify such a large purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"con-maintenance-costs\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Con: Maintenance Costs<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A company car will require ongoing maintenance, adding to the costs you must consider before purchasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"con-impact-on-business-liability\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Con: Impact on Business Liability<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more you use your company vehicle, the more you open your business to liability risks. You&rsquo;ll also need to buy business auto insurance to cover this new liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"12-tips-for-buying-a-car-under-your-business\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">12 Tips For Buying a Car Under Your Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To get the most out of your investment, you need to establish your budget, consider what type of vehicle your business needs, and consider ongoing costs before buying a business car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"1-determine-your-budget\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Determine Your Budget<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your budget will influence other decisions, such as <em>buying vs. leasing<\/em> or choosing <em>new vs. used<\/em>, so establishing your budget in advance is important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To give you a rough idea of how much you can expect to spend on a new company car, here&rsquo;s how much some of the more popular business vehicle models cost:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mbvans.com\/en\/sprinter\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mercedes-Benz Sprinter<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>$49,900<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chevrolet.com\/commercial\/express\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Chevrolet Express<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>$38,100<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ford.com\/trucks\/f150\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ford F-150<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>$33,835<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toyota.com\/camry\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Toyota Camry<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong>$26,420<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Remember that on top of the upfront cost of the car, you also need to consider ongoing expenses, like maintenance and gas. According to AAA, the average annual <a href=\"https:\/\/newsroom.aaa.com\/2023\/08\/annual-new-car-ownership-costs-boil-over-12k\/\" target=\"_blank\">cost of owning a new vehicle<\/a> is <em>over $12,000<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<html><body><div id=\"in_post\">\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/fleet-parking\" onclick=\"rudderanalytics.track('press editorial cta button', {location: 'first in post', version: '2.0'}, () =&gt; { console.log('track call'); });\">\r\n  <div class=\"first-in-post-cta\">\r\n    <header>\r\n      <h2 id=\"how-neighbor-is-changing-fleet-parking\">How Neighbor is changing fleet parking<\/h2>\r\n    <\/header>\r\n    <section>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M13.125 9.375C11.0539 9.375 9.375 11.0539 9.375 13.125V46.875C9.375 48.9461 11.0539 50.625 13.125 50.625H46.875C48.9461 50.625 50.625 48.9461 50.625 46.875V13.125C50.625 11.0539 48.9461 9.375 46.875 9.375H13.125ZM28.125 16.875C28.125 15.8395 28.9645 15 30 15C31.0355 15 31.875 15.8395 31.875 16.875V20.625H35.625C36.6605 20.625 37.5 21.4645 37.5 22.5C37.5 23.5355 36.6605 24.375 35.625 24.375H26.25C25.2145 24.375 24.375 25.2145 24.375 26.25C24.375 27.2855 25.2145 28.125 26.25 28.125H33.75C36.8566 28.125 39.375 30.6434 39.375 33.75C39.375 36.8566 36.8566 39.375 33.75 39.375H31.875V43.125C31.875 44.1605 31.0355 45 30 45C28.9645 45 28.125 44.1605 28.125 43.125V39.375H22.5C21.4645 39.375 20.625 38.5355 20.625 37.5C20.625 36.4645 21.4645 35.625 22.5 35.625H33.75C34.7855 35.625 35.625 34.7855 35.625 33.75C35.625 32.7145 34.7855 31.875 33.75 31.875H26.25C23.1434 31.875 20.625 29.3566 20.625 26.25C20.625 23.1434 23.1434 20.625 26.25 20.625H28.125V16.875Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"transparent-monthly-savings\">Transparent monthly savings<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Save thousands of dollars on commercial vehicle fleet parking.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"61\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 61\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M31.2776 52.4974L31.7666 52.0417C32.0789 51.7503 32.527 51.3317 33.0706 50.8224C34.1576 49.8041 35.6276 48.4224 37.158 46.9698C40.1682 44.1127 43.5576 40.8461 44.596 39.6282C46.7163 37.1414 48.1719 34.1468 48.8127 30.9251C49.5529 27.204 49.173 23.347 47.7211 19.8418C46.2692 16.3366 43.8105 13.3407 40.6559 11.2329C37.5015 9.12514 33.7942 8 30.0001 8C26.2061 8 22.4973 9.12504 19.3428 11.2329C16.1882 13.3407 13.7295 16.3366 12.2776 19.8418C10.8257 23.347 10.4458 27.204 11.186 30.9251C11.8268 34.1468 13.2824 37.1414 15.4027 39.6282C16.4411 40.8462 19.831 44.1128 22.8415 46.9698C24.3721 48.4224 25.8422 49.8042 26.9294 50.8225C27.4731 51.3318 27.9212 51.7504 28.2336 52.0418L28.723 52.4979C29.4428 53.1672 30.5579 53.1668 31.2776 52.4974ZM28.723 52.4979C28.723 52.4979 28.7232 52.498 30.0001 51.125L28.723 52.4979ZM30.0001 51.125L31.2776 52.4974C31.2776 52.4974 31.2771 52.4979 30.0001 51.125ZM30 33.3125C33.6243 33.3125 36.5625 30.3744 36.5625 26.75C36.5625 23.1256 33.6243 20.1875 30 20.1875C26.3756 20.1875 23.4375 23.1256 23.4375 26.75C23.4375 30.3744 26.3756 33.3125 30 33.3125Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"keep-your-fleet-nearby\">Keep your fleet nearby<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Find on and off-market property owners nationwide.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"service-option\">\r\n        <div class=\"service-option-icon\">\r\n          <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"60\" height=\"60\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" fill=\"none\">\r\n            <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M30 7.5C25.5499 7.5 21.1998 8.8196 17.4997 11.2919C13.7996 13.7643 10.9157 17.2783 9.21272 21.3896C7.50975 25.501 7.06417 30.025 7.93234 34.3895C8.80051 38.7541 10.9434 42.7632 14.0901 45.9099C17.2368 49.0566 21.2459 51.1995 25.6105 52.0677C29.975 52.9358 34.4991 52.4903 38.6104 50.7873C42.7217 49.0843 46.2357 46.2004 48.7081 42.5003C51.1804 38.8002 52.5 34.4501 52.5 30C52.5 24.0326 50.1295 18.3097 45.9099 14.0901C41.6903 9.87053 35.9674 7.5 30 7.5ZM41.5295 26.7545C42.7193 25.5646 42.7193 23.6354 41.5295 22.4455C40.3396 21.2556 38.4104 21.2556 37.2205 22.4455L26.7061 32.96L22.7795 29.0334C21.5896 27.8435 19.6604 27.8435 18.4705 29.0334C17.2807 30.2232 17.2807 32.1524 18.4705 33.3423L24.5516 39.4234C25.123 39.9948 25.898 40.3158 26.7061 40.3158C27.5142 40.3158 28.2891 39.9948 28.8605 39.4234L41.5295 26.7545Z\" fill=\"#005EB8\"><\/path>\r\n          <\/svg>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <h3 id=\"parking-made-simple\">Parking made simple<\/h3>\r\n        <p>Don't settle for stone age tech and long contracts. Neighbor makes it easy.<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/section>\r\n    <footer>\r\n      <button>Learn more <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"25\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 25 24\" fill=\"none\">\r\n          <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M11 2.90625C9.4981 2.90625 8.02993 3.35162 6.78114 4.18603C5.53236 5.02044 4.55905 6.20642 3.98429 7.594C3.40954 8.98157 3.25916 10.5084 3.55217 11.9815C3.84517 13.4545 4.56841 14.8076 5.63041 15.8696C6.69242 16.9316 8.04549 17.6548 9.51854 17.9478C10.9916 18.2408 12.5184 18.0905 13.906 17.5157C14.4508 17.29 14.9646 17.0029 15.4382 16.6618L19.5132 20.7368C19.9892 21.2127 20.7608 21.2127 21.2368 20.7368C21.7127 20.2608 21.7127 19.4892 21.2368 19.0132L17.1618 14.9382C17.2137 14.8661 17.2645 14.793 17.314 14.7189C18.1484 13.4701 18.5938 12.0019 18.5938 10.5C18.5938 8.48601 17.7937 6.55451 16.3696 5.13041C14.9455 3.7063 13.014 2.90625 11 2.90625ZM14.7493 14.0398C14.9463 13.8311 15.1264 13.6054 15.2873 13.3647C15.8538 12.5167 16.1562 11.5198 16.1562 10.5C16.1562 9.13248 15.613 7.82096 14.646 6.85398C13.679 5.887 12.3675 5.34375 11 5.34375C9.98019 5.34375 8.98328 5.64616 8.13534 6.21273C7.2874 6.77931 6.62651 7.58461 6.23625 8.52679C5.84599 9.46897 5.74387 10.5057 5.94283 11.5059C6.14178 12.5061 6.63287 13.4249 7.35398 14.146C8.0751 14.8671 8.99385 15.3582 9.99407 15.5572C10.9943 15.7561 12.031 15.654 12.9732 15.2638C13.5557 15.0225 14.086 14.6777 14.5398 14.2493C14.5699 14.2108 14.6028 14.1737 14.6382 14.1382C14.6737 14.1028 14.7108 14.0699 14.7493 14.0398Z\" fill=\"#EFF5F8\"><\/path>\r\n        <\/svg>\r\n      <\/button>\r\n    <\/footer>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/a>\n  <\/div><\/body><\/html><h3 id=\"2-consider-leasing\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Consider Leasing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Leasing a car may offer lower monthly payments and increased flexibility, while buying a car may provide greater customization options. Carefully consider your unique financial situation to determine the best option for your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep in mind that one of the<strong> main drawbacks of leasing<\/strong> is that leases often come with mileage restrictions, making them a poor choice for businesses that rely on cars for daily business operations, like delivering food or transporting workers and equipment to worksites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-selecting-the-right-vehicle-for-your-business\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Selecting the Right Vehicle for Your Business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The type of vehicle you select can significantly impact your business operations, branding, and budget. For example, businesses that transport large freight will benefit most from semi-trucks, while a consultancy may benefit more from luxury sedans that help establish a professional brand image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several types of company vehicles to choose from, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sedans:<\/strong> offer better fuel economy and a more professional appearance for client meetings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vans:<\/strong> provide additional storage space and capabilities for transporting equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Trucks:<\/strong> offer additional storage space and capabilities for transporting equipment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Specialized vehicles for specific industries:<\/strong> tailored to meet specific business requirements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-choose-new-vs-used\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Choose New vs. Used<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-buy-a-used-car\/\">buy a used car<\/a> or a new car will largely come down to your budget. While new cars offer newer features and higher safety standards, used cars are often much more affordable. In fact, driving a used car costs about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bankrate.com\/loans\/auto-loans\/do-i-buy-new-or-used\/\" target=\"_blank\">$200 less per month<\/a> than driving a new car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"5-consider-depreciation-and-resale-value\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Consider Depreciation and Resale Value<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Depreciation refers to the reduction in value of a vehicle over time due to wear and tear. When purchasing a company car, it&rsquo;s important to consider the potential depreciation and resale value, as these factors can impact the overall cost of ownership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain vehicles, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.autoremarketing.com\/ar\/study-vehicles-lowest-depreciation-rates\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jeep Wranglers and Toyota Tacomas<\/a>, are known to have lower depreciation rates, which can help maintain their value over time. By considering the depreciation and resale value of a vehicle, you can make a more informed decision about which business vehicle is right for your company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"6-understanding-financing-options\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Understanding Financing Options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can choose several financing options when buying a car for business, including business car loans, leasing options, and cash purchases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each option has its own advantages and drawbacks, so it&rsquo;s essential to carefully consider your unique financial situation and business needs before making a decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"business-car-loans\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Business Car Loans<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A business car loan, also known as a &ldquo;commercial auto loan,&rdquo; allows you to finance vehicles for business use. These loans are typically available through banks, credit unions, and online lenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The application process includes a) determining your business needs, b) establishing a budget, c) reviewing your credit, d) choosing a vehicle, and e) submitting the loan application. However, business loans require long-term commitments, which may be less than ideal for small businesses with unstable financials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"leasing-options\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leasing Options<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several leasing options, including <em>business leases, fleet leases, commercial vehicle leases, and executive car leases,<\/em> which offer lower monthly payments, lower upfront costs, and frequent upgrade opportunities.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>However,<\/em> leases often have mileage restrictions, and you won&rsquo;t be able to customize your vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"cash-purchases\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cash Purchases<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While not all businesses have the cash available for such a large purchase, buying in cash will lower your long-term costs and give you more control over your budget as you won&rsquo;t have to plan around future loan payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"7-insurance-considerations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Insurance Considerations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Commercial auto insurance is necessary to protect your business from liability and to comply with state laws. This type of insurance provides coverage for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Physical damage and liability in the event of an accident involving a business vehicle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Medical payments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Property damage<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accidents with underinsured\/uninsured motorists<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other associated expenses<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consulting an insurance agent is necessary to verify that you understand your state&rsquo;s specific requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"8-make-a-plan-for-storage\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Make a Plan For Storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&rsquo;re buying multiple cars for company use, you need to plan ahead to ensure you have a place to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/fleet-parking\">park your vehicles<\/a>. You need to consider the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/average-car-sizes-dimensions\/\">size of the cars<\/a> you&rsquo;re buying and determine whether or not your parking lot is large enough for these additional vehicles.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-long-can-a-car-be-parked-on-residential-street\/\">street parking<\/a> as this can lead to fines of up to several hundred dollars, depending on the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"9-know-the-legal-requirements\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Know the Legal Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Business vehicles need to meet the same legal requirements as personal vehicles, including registration, inspections, and emissions testing. These requirements help ensure that business vehicles meet environmental and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/the-ultimate-guide-to-car-safety-features\/\">safety standards<\/a>, reducing the risk of accidents and pollution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For more information on the specific legal requirements in your state, consult <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usa.gov\/state-motor-vehicle-services\" target=\"_blank\">your state&rsquo;s Department of Motor Vehicles<\/a> or a legal professional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"10-understand-the-tax-implications\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Understand the Tax Implications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You may be eligible to claim tax deductions for expenses related to your company car, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Depreciation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fuel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maintenance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Insurance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, it&rsquo;s essential to maintain accurate records of your business mileage and expenses to ensure you can claim these deductions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consult a tax professional to understand the specific tax implications, deductions for your business vehicle, and your business tax liability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can use two methods to claim tax deductions: 1) the standard mileage rate method and 2) the actual expense method. The former is a flat rate per mile that makes it easy to calculate your tax deduction for business-related travel, while the latter requires you to manually determine how many miles you traveled for business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"11-prioritize-record-keeping\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Prioritize Record-Keeping<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintaining accurate records of your business vehicle usage is essential for claiming tax deductions. A comprehensive business vehicle log should include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The date of each business use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Purpose of the trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total mileage for each trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Starting mileage at the beginning of the year<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ending mileage at the end of the year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By keeping meticulous records, you can ensure that you accurately track and deduct your company car expenses, minimizing your tax liability and maximizing your tax savings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"12-schedule-regular-maintenance\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">12. Schedule Regular Maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure your company car operates efficiently and to minimize the risk of expensive repairs. Since business owners can deduct maintenance costs as a business expense, there&rsquo;s no financial reason to skip routine maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maintenance may include oil changes, tire rotations, and brake repairs. By keeping up with regular maintenance, you can also maintain better fuel economy, prolong the life of your vehicle, and protect its resale value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When planning maintenance, make sure to <strong>schedule appointments around business operations to avoid business disruptions.<\/strong> If you&rsquo;re unable to schedule outside of business hours, try staggering vehicle appointments so that all of your commercial cars aren&rsquo;t unavailable at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"final-thoughts\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying a commercial vehicle can bring many benefits to your business, but if you&rsquo;re planning on building a fleet, you&rsquo;ll need to make sure you have adequate storage to secure your vehicles. <em>Otherwise, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/turo-fleet-car-parking\">your army of Turo rental vehicles<\/a> will end up towed or littered with citations\/parking tickets<\/em> <em>(that will eat into your bottom line). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don&rsquo;t have enough space on your business&rsquo;s property to park all of your fleet vehicles? Neighbor, a peer-to-peer car storage platform, can meet your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/business\/fleet-parking\">fleet parking needs<\/a>. Use Neighbor to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/car-storage-near-me\">find affordable local storage for all of your commercial vehicles<\/a><em> (no matter how many vehicles are in your name or your business&rsquo; name). <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"is-it-worth-buying-a-car-through-my-business\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is It Worth Buying a Car Through My Business?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying a car through your business may very well be worth it due to the tax and productivity benefits of commercial vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"can-i-buy-a-car-as-a-business-expense\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I Buy a Car as a Business Expense?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Yes, <\/em><\/strong>you can buy a car as a business expense by taking a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/s\/section-179.asp\" target=\"_blank\">Section 179 deduction<\/a>. However, the vehicle must be used exclusively for business purposes and not for transporting people or property for hire, and the deduction cannot exceed the cost of the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-counts-as-using-a-car-for-business\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Counts as Using a Car for Business?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Business miles include any miles driven specifically for professional purposes, not including commuting and personal errands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"why-is-it-important-to-buy-a-car-for-your-business-under-your-business-name-rather-than-under-your-personal-name\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Is It Important to Buy a Car for Your Business Under Your Business Name Rather Than Under Your Personal Name?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Buying a business car under your business name instead of your personal name helps maintain legal separation and provides more protection against personal liability in case of an accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"what-are-the-main-factors-to-consider-when-deciding-between-leasing-and-buying-a-business-vehicle\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are the Main Factors to Consider When Deciding Between Leasing and Buying a Business Vehicle?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When making the decision between leasing and buying a business vehicle, consider factors such as <em>cash flow, turnover rate, and risk of wear-and-tear<\/em> to determine which option is best for your unique financial situation and business needs.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Buying a vehicle for your business can be a daunting task. With so many options to consider, from&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":11459,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_appearance_grid":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[197],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-vehicle-fleets","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>12 Tips For Buying a Car For Your Business: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Car Under a Business Name - Neighbor Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Buying a car under your business name helps maintain legal separation and provides more protection against personal liability in an accident.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/buying-a-car-for-business\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"12 Tips For Buying a Car For Your Business: The Pros and Cons of Buying a Car Under a Business Name - 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