What is the 6000 car rule?

The 6,000 car rule refers to an IRS guideline affecting how vehicles over 6,000 pounds are treated for tax purposes. If your vehicle exceeds this weight, you cannot use the standard mileage deduction but may qualify for a larger Section 179 deduction, allowing you to write off part of the vehicle’s cost in the first year. The remaining value can then be depreciated over time. For vehicles under 6,000 pounds, the IRS places tighter annual limits on how much you can depreciate. This rule is often used by business owners to maximize tax savings on heavy SUVs, trucks, and vans.