Snowmobile as a tax write-off?

[jbrow]

I most certainly will ask my accountant about this, but I'm curious on your experience.

A big part of my business is entertaining clients. If I purchase a sled which i use exclusively for trips to the mountains with my best clients, I would expect that I could write off the entire sled purchase. Thoughts?

Has anyone deducted their snowmobile due to 'entertainment' or other reasons? Can you deduct the full purchase price in the first year, or must you depreciate it similar to an automobile under 6000lbs?

Any insight or thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

[Pastor]

It seems reasonable to me.


I know guys buy snowmobile trailers that they run their construction businesses out of and write the trailer off their construction business.

If a guy had a snowmobile business I would think he could write off his trailer, fuel, machines, equipment, etc.

 

[jbrow]

Thanks for the response.

I should clarify that my business has nothing to do with snowmobiling - I run a marketing agency.

As you probably know, now isn't the best time to be in this industry. The sled/trips would be strictly for my best clients in an effort to win favor. Sort of a thank you for doing business with us.

 

[Pastor]

Well,

That would be a lot like businesses taking clients golfing and then out to lunch and they write that off everyday all over the country.

Golf has nothing to do with selling groceries but we a sales agent in our Church and she takes clients golfing all the time and they write it off as an expense.

 

[donbrown]

Thanks for the response.

I should clarify that my business has nothing to do with snowmobiling - I run a marketing agency.

As you probably know, now isn't the best time to be in this industry. The sled/trips would be strictly for my best clients in an effort to win favor. Sort of a thank you for doing business with us.

You can write it off as long as you itemize deductions

Do you write off meals, movies, gifts, lodging and transportation for clients?

I am an appraiser and will accept a job where I have to access the parcel using over the snow vehicles

 

[Jeff C]

Put the sled in the business name, depreciate the sled on a 3-5 yr schedule, include the other expenses from trips and it will fly

 

[XFIRE800]

talk to a tax consultant

 

[jbrow]

Thanks to all who replied - some insightful posts for sure. As I stated from the beginning, I will not take any course of action, and would not recommend anyone else doing so, until speaking with an accountant.

 

[mattymac]

have a buddy chiropractor who writes his sled off for mobile adjustments from sledding injuries.

Also being in a big ag area with farm supply stores that sell tractors farm equip etc, farmers around here just write em up as parts or whatever. works good!

 

[IDAHO HOT SHOT]

I used my sled to run material to the jobsite and wrote it off, It should work for you

 

[Braids]

I too am an appraiser. 08' was the first full year in business so I'm still learning the whole tax thing. I appraise some rural areas(WI)..hmm maybe I should write my 600RS! My accountant would flip!

You can write it off as long as you itemize deductions

Do you write off meals, movies, gifts, lodging and transportation for clients?

I am an appraiser and will accept a job where I have to access the parcel using over the snow vehicles

 

[smokindave]

I tryed 2 write off sleds 4 sales taking clients out but my accountant said NO.
Instead because I am into trucking & cranes he has had me write off as parts 3 sleds, enclosed trailer & over 10k on mods. Just spent a little over $400.00 on a Cyclops helmet light or as I like 2 call hard hat light 4 late night crane work.
I do believe my turbo on my International is now starting to act up I'll have 2 replace soon. I guess U can call it creative accounting. Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Dave

 

[newmy1]

That is called tax avoidance vs tax evation, one is legal and one is not. Tax Consultants are paid to get creative as possible for purposing of leveraging tax avoidance, should be doable but make sure.

 

[cat rider]

My dad wrote off his four place trailer off a as farm trailer. I know many farmers that do this.

 

[drscotch]

Jbrow, I don't see your location so be careful with US vs. Canadian tax advice.

You should be able to write off legit expenses. So as with most things make sure you keep records and that your clients are willing to back you up if the tax man asks for proof.

We had a client who had remote stations which required us to access them to support software (our business) and a contract that said we had to be able to access the sites all year round. At that point sleds and quads were an easy thing to justify even though this was the only client we needed them for.

 

[togwotee9]

"legit expensives" like my sled, harley, plane, ect... Get a good CPA that took some creative writing in college. Been in Business since 1986 never had a full audit. Knock on wood.

We do get auditted but they are looking at overtime, Bacon Davis wages ect......