This blog will address the tax consequences of both leased and owned vehicles used for business purposes. Hopefully, it will offer some insight into the decision as to what is best for your business: buying or leasing?

With both owned and leased cars, any related expenses may be deducted using the standard mileage rate or the total amount of actual expenses. If the vehicle is owned, you may choose the standard mileage rate in the first year and switch to the actual expense method in a later tax year. If a vehicle is leased, you may also choose the standard mileage rate in the first year but once you the standard mileage rate is chosen, it must be used for the life of the lease.