I have a friend who's picked up a couple of businesses to take care of their landscaping. Problem is, he's never done it before. He keeps a nice yard, so I think he has the "job" part down. Anyhow....

He has an older residential model zero turn, and weedeater, edger, and backpack blower as well.

I told him that the mower probably wouldn't hold up too long, and he'd probably have to think about upgrading in the near future. Not really what he wanted to hear.

I did mention to him that there should be some tax writeoffs involved with buying new equipment, as well as probably mileage as well. However, I told him not to take my word on that, because I'm no accountant.

So, I told him that I knew of a place that I could ask a few people that do landscaping as a side business to see what kind of tax writeoffs there are...and that place is here.

What say ye, side-business landscapers?

I wish I could get a landscaper to call me back or even show up.... Sounds like he's just in the grass cutting business...

Where are you and what do you need done?

Im in calhoun county...and I need flower bed ripped out and redone and a little bit of land clearing...Nothing too bad but I was thinking of a retaining wall there also....

Equipment and fuel are write offs anything he buys for the jobs or machines.

I don’t know anyone up that way.

I started as a side business. Four years later, things were good enough that I turned in my resignation at my FT job and began my time FT in lawncare. Best decision I've made for a vocation, thus far.

Landscaping is not the same as lawn care.

Sounds like your friend wants to start a “lawn care” business.

If this is just a side gig, He’d be money ahead to keep everything off the books and operate as cash only. Tax burden > Tax benefits

If he’s gonna operate a legit lawn care business then he’ll need business licenses, DOT registration, etc and have the luxury of giving Biden a large % of his profits.

To get those write offs, he will need a corporation.
Meeting with my CPA in the next week to get all of the information. A buddy keeps all his mileage, fuel for equipment and pretty confident new equipment can be written off as well.

A residential zero won't handle that job. Heck my JD 1026R with its 60 in deck will give a gas powered commerical mower fits if the grass hasn't been cut in a few weeks.

BTW, I can handle small overgrown lots for any of you guy who cut grass for a living and save you some mower wear. I have a 48in commercial flail mower. Does a much better job than a bush hog, and its way faster than a mower in the think stuff, and it will lay down a really nice stripe to boot.

I write off just about everything, between farming and tree cutting business and my wife cleaning houses, i can figure out how just about anything is a deduction

It’s called living thru your business

Mine was a sole proprietorship another formed ran his as a S Corp. LLCs offer some advantages but you still can be sued
It all “depends” so meet up with a CPA or tax advisor.

I’m more curious how he managed to pick up a few businesses when he’s never done it before at all. Buddy of mine has been in the business for about 4 years and has just started getting commercial jobs. The problem with trying to operate on a “cash only” basis with commercial jobs is that they want to pay with a check so they can call it maintenance and take some off in taxes, I imagine.

I'm sure it's some small-town, "friend" deals...but like you mentioned, I'm also sure these couple of businesses are wanting to keep it on their books for tax purposes.

When I say he keeps a nice yard...he keeps a REALLY nice yard. He does his mom's yard too, and it's also really nice. He knows what he's doing with yard equipment.

He has a really good job with great pay and good benefits, but like with a lot of other folks...he hasn't been super smart with his money and he's starting to look ahead to retirement. He does have a favorable work schedule for this as a side job, though.

Damn guy working in our neighborhood has what looks two fifteen year olds and homeless guy working for him. Weed whacking with no safety glasses, an accident waiting to happen. Not many professionals.in the business. I wouldn't let anyonewith no insurance on my property.

Tell him to get an llc or inc for his own liability plus take advantage of anything he sends on his business, even the clothes he wears to work and gas and insurance. With this will also come a federal tax id number which sucks but that’s the rules we play by. He needs a good CPA who can probably handle all of the above for him and teach him how to run his business in a professional way to keep from getting in trouble. Good luck to him, nothing makes me more happy than to see people who want to work succeed.

I don’t have experience but friend of mine is a vet and gets quite a few commercial contracts because of that. I think the contracts go to vets before others from what he says.

Cash only no tell Uncle Sam. Get insurance or save up sling a rock hit a vehicle or window will be $$ Even if you slung it or not. Good luck with it.

Been in the lawn maintenance landscaping business for over 30 years. All equipment can be written off, plus mileage on your vehicle, and gas for your equipment. Basically anything you use business wise can be written off. He may not need it now but if he starts making good money a good accountant is well worth it. Also, buy the absolute best equipment you can afford. It will last way longer than cheap junk and make you way more than you pay for it. If he is just doing it part time I would file as a sole proprietor but if he starts making good money he will want to consider creating a S Corporation. That way he can take a percentage of his earnings as dividends and not have to pay Social Security on that portion.