Trades & Services

Tax help for roofers

Roofers deduct the shingles, fall-protection gear, nail guns, and crew costs that go into every tear-off and install.

Prepared by real tax specialists — with Enrolled Agent or CPA review when your return calls for it.

Self-employed roofers report income on Schedule C and pay self-employment tax on net profit from repairs, replacements, and new installs.

Roofing materials bought per job, safety and fall-protection equipment, and the crews you hire shape most of your deductions.

Income you’ll report on: 1099-NEC.

Save money

Deductions for roofers

Most people in this line of work leave money on the table. Here's what we make sure to capture:

  • Shingles, underlayment, flashing, and roofing materials
  • Nail guns, compressors, and hand tools
  • Harnesses, ropes, and fall-protection gear
  • Ladders, scaffolding, and equipment rental
  • Crew and subcontractor payments
  • Dumpster and debris-disposal fees
  • Work truck expenses (actual costs or standard mileage)
Watch out for

What makes your taxes different

  • Nail guns, compressors, and scaffolding expected to last beyond a year may need to be depreciated
  • Materials a client reimburses separately are not also your deduction
  • If you pay crew as contractors, you may need to issue 1099-NEC forms
  • Disposal and dumpster fees are deductible job costs in the year incurred
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do roofers pay self-employment tax?

If you earn as an independent contractor, yes — self-employment tax is 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare) on your net profit, on top of regular income tax. You deduct half of it, and every business deduction lowers what you owe. We handle the calculation on Schedule SE.

What can roofers write off?

Common write-offs include shingles, underlayment, flashing, and roofing materials, nail guns, compressors, and hand tools, harnesses, ropes, and fall-protection gear, ladders, scaffolding, and equipment rental, plus a share of your phone and any home-office use. We go through your year line by line so nothing legitimate gets missed.

Do roofers need to pay quarterly estimated taxes?

If you expect to owe $1,000 or more for the year, the IRS generally wants quarterly estimated payments to avoid an underpayment penalty. We calculate them so next April isn't a surprise.

Do I have to report income if I didn't get a 1099?

Yes. Your income is taxable whether or not a client or platform sent a 1099. We report it correctly and offset it with every deduction you qualify for.

Taxes handled · so you can get back to work.

Tell us what you've got and we'll come back within one business day with the plan and the price · from a preparer who knows your line of work.

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