Guide · 5 min read
Jobs, materials, truck, tools — the simple system for solo handymen and small repair crews.
Cash jobs, Home Depot runs, fuel, tool purchases, and gear pile up fast. Most one-truck handymen miss $2,500–$5,000 a year in deductions because materials and mileage aren't tracked job-by-job.
One checking for all job payments — cash, check, Venmo Business, Stripe. One credit card for every Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, and gas stop.
When you buy supplies, note the job/address in your phone or app. Year-end you can prove every material expense — and bill clients correctly.
Either a mileage app (MileIQ, Stride) or odometer at start/end of day. At 70¢/mi (2026), most handymen deduct $5–10k a year.
Move 25–30% of every payment to a tax savings account. Pay April / June / Sept / Jan.
SnapBooks tracks every job, material run, and mile driven — and tells you what you owe.
Start freeDepends on the state and job value. Most states have a dollar threshold ($500–$1,000) above which you need a license. License fees and exam prep are deductible.
Two clean options: (1) bill at cost as a pass-through — track materials as both income and expense, or (2) mark up by 15–30% — track full price as income, cost as expense. Option 2 makes more money and books are still clean.
Yes — mileage method (70¢/mi in 2026) or actual expenses. If you wrap your truck with a logo, the wrap is fully deductible and the truck stays personal-use protected for the mileage method.
Hand tools, power tools, ladders, generators — all deductible. Items under ~$2,500 are immediate write-offs. Bigger items can be expensed under Section 179.
Highly recommended — property damage and injury claims are real. An LLC + general liability insurance keeps your personal assets safe.