How to Write Off Your Tesla Cybertruck with Section 179
A Powerful Tax Strategy to Deduct Your Cybertruck in One Year!
Here’s to Dr. Miranda, a Cybertruck enthusiast and budding entrepreneur!
Let’s talk about how to write off a Tesla Cybertruck in full in one year using Section 179 expensing.
Section 179 is a powerful tax provision loved by business owners that allows eligible business property—including certain vehicles—to be fully deducted in the year of purchase instead of being depreciated over multiple years.
However, most vehicles do not qualify for a full Section 179 deduction. The Tesla Cybertruck, however, beats the odds and qualifies for a 100% write-off in Year 1.
The Two Hurdles for a Vehicle to Qualify for a 100% Write-Off Under Section 179
Hurdle #1: Vehicle Weight
If a vehicle weighs less than 6,000 pounds (GVWR), it does not qualify for full Section 179 expensing. Instead, it is subject to luxury auto depreciation limits, meaning only roughly $60,000–$70,000 of the cost can be written off over six tax years.
Here’s a painful example of this:
If you’re a baller plastic surgeon and buy a Ferrari (weighing less than 6,000 lbs) for $200,000 as a business vehicle, you can only write off about $60,000 over the first six years (without bonus depreciation) because it is subject to luxury auto depreciation limits. That means it may take roughly 20 more years to fully depreciate the $200,000 cost, since you can only deduct about $7,000 per year starting in year 7.
Ouch.
Hurdle #2: Vehicle Type
Even if a vehicle exceeds 6,000 pounds, it must fall into one of three specific categories to qualify for full Section 179 expensing.
Passenger Vehicles with Seating for 9 or More
Example: Mercedes Sprinter Van (typically used as airport shuttles)
Pickup Trucks with a Cargo Bed of at Least 6 Feet that is separate from the passenger compartment
Tesla Cybertruck falls into this category!
Fully Enclosed Vehicles With No Rear Seating
Example: Amazon delivery vans
Thankfully, the Tesla Cybertruck passes both tests (thanks to Elon!). With an estimated gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) exceeding 6,000 pounds and a cargo bed exactly 6 feet long, it clears the two hurdles for full Section 179 eligibility.
The Tesla Model X, on the other hand, does not qualify for full Section 179 expensing. While it weighs over 6,000 pounds, it does not fall within one of the three qualifying categories listed above. As a result, it is only eligible for a $31,300 write-off using Section 179—not the full purchase price.
Important Limitations to Consider
Business-Use Requirement: The vehicle must be used for business purposes at least 50% of the time to qualify for Section 179. If you want to write off 100% of the purchase price, you must use it 100% for business. If the vehicle is used for less than 100% business use, only the prorated portion of the cost can be written off.
Section 179 Deduction Limit: The total amount you can deduct under Section 179 in 2025 is $1.25 million, but this rarely affects small business owners.
State-Specific Rules: Some states, like California, do not conform to federal Section 179 rules—instead, they limit the maximum write-off to $25,000 under Section 179. Bummer!
Final Thoughts
By strategically using Section 179, you can turn a $100,000 Cybertruck purchase into an immediate tax deduction.
This is a game-changing tax strategy—especially for Dr. Miranda —since he will soon be buying a Cybertruck for his new business venture!