Free for Contractors

You Build for a Living. Your Bookkeeping Should Be Just as Solid.

The free bookkeeping tool that helps general contractors organize ordinary and necessary business expenses for Schedule C.

Download Free TemplateSee What You Can Deduct
60+
Business Types
6 Tabs
Per Template
500+
Transaction Rows
$0
Completely Free

Tax Deductions You May Be Missing

These are common Schedule C business expenses that contractors may be able to claim under IRC §162. Our template has them pre-loaded.

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Subcontractor Payments

Line 11

Plumbers, electricians, HVAC, drywall, framers, roofers.

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Building Materials

Line 22

Lumber, concrete, nails, screws, drywall, roofing.

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Equipment Rental

Line 20a

Excavator, scaffolding, dumpster, portable toilet, crane.

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Insurance & Bonds

Line 15

General liability, workers comp, builders risk, bond.

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Vehicle & Fuel

Line 9

Gas/diesel for truck and trailer.

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Permits & Licenses

Line 23

Contractor license, building permits, business license.

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Tools & Depreciation

Line 13

Power tools, truck, trailer, heavy equipment.

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Dump & Disposal

Line 27

Dump fees, debris hauling, porta-potty.

How It Works

1

Download

Pick your business type. Get a free template. No signup.

2

Categorize

Enter your bank transactions. Pick from the dropdown. ~30 min.

3

Review

Schedule C summary auto-calculates your income, expenses, and tax.

4

File

Hand it to your Enrolled Agent. Or let Arc & Ledger prepare your return from $300.

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Get Your Free Contractor Template

We'll email your template directly — open it in Excel or upload to Google Sheets. No software to install.

What's Inside

✓ Start Here tab with step-by-step instructions
✓ Business Info tab — your details, ready for filing
✓ Expense categories pre-loaded for your industry
✓ 500-row transaction tracker with dropdown categories
✓ Schedule C summary — auto-calculates your totals
✓ Monthly summary for quarterly estimated taxes

We'll email your template directly. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

ENROLLED AGENT TAX SERVICES

Too Busy to DIY?
We'll Handle Everything.

Arc & Ledger is a tax and bookkeeping firm led by Enrolled Agents — authorized to prepare your return and represent you directly before the IRS. Over 10 years helping self-employed professionals like you.

✓ Schedule C tax preparation from $300
✓ Monthly bookkeeping from $200/mo
✓ S-Corp election & tax planning
✓ Authorized to represent you before the IRS
✓ Enrolled Agents — pass rigorous IRS exam
✓ 10+ years serving self-employed professionals
arcandledger.com | (310) 876-0249
bookkeeping@arcandledger.com | Culver City, CA

Get Your Price in 30 Seconds

Question 1 of 4

What income did you have in 2025?

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Need to File for Free? The IRS Can Help.

If you earned under $84,000, you may qualify for IRS Free File — free tax preparation software provided through an IRS partnership. No cost, no catch.

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Our free template works alongside any filing method — use it to organize your expenses first, then file however works best for you.

Common Questions

What Schedule C deductions can contractors claim?+
Self-employed general contractors may deduct ordinary and necessary business expenses under IRC Section 162. Commonly claimed deductions include subcontractor payments (Line 11), building materials (Line 22), equipment rental (Line 20a), insurance and bonds (Line 15), vehicle and fuel costs (Line 9), and permits and licenses (Line 23). Your tax situation may vary, so consult a qualified tax professional.
What is Schedule C?+
Schedule C (Form 1040) is the IRS form where sole proprietors report business income and expenses. It calculates your net profit or loss, which flows to your Form 1040. Self-employed contractors use Schedule C to report project income and deduct business expenses. Our free template is an organizational tool that categorizes expenses by the correct Schedule C line numbers.
How much tax do self-employed contractors pay?+
Self-employed contractors generally pay both income tax and self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare) on net profit. Your income tax rate depends on your total taxable income and filing status. The self-employment tax applies to net earnings over $400. Many contractors may also owe state income tax. Consult a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
Do I need to file quarterly estimated taxes as a contractor?+
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, the IRS generally requires quarterly estimated tax payments. Deadlines are typically April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Construction income can be irregular, so tracking expenses with our template throughout the year helps you estimate quarterly payments more accurately.
Do contractors need to file 1099s for subcontractors?+
Generally, if you pay any individual or unincorporated business $600 or more during the tax year, you are required to file Form 1099-NEC. Failure to file may result in penalties and could jeopardize your deduction for those payments. Collect a W-9 from each subcontractor before making payment. Subcontractor payments are commonly reported on Schedule C Line 11.
Should I hire an Enrolled Agent or do my own taxes?+
An Enrolled Agent (EA) is a tax professional who has passed a rigorous IRS exam and is authorized to represent taxpayers directly before the IRS. Unlike other preparers, EAs must pass a rigorous exam and complete continuing education annually. For general contractors with large subcontractor payments, equipment depreciation, and complex job costing, an EA can help ensure compliance. Arc & Ledger's team of Enrolled Agents specializes in Schedule C businesses.

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