How do I file food truck taxes?

File federal income tax (Schedule C if LLC single-member, Form 1120-S if S-corp), quarterly estimated tax payments, state income tax where applicable, state sales tax monthly or quarterly, and federal payroll tax (Form 941) if you have employees. A CPA is cheaper than IRS penalties.

How do I structure my LLC?

File LLC articles of organization with your state secretary of state, write an operating agreement (even solo), get an EIN, open a business bank account, and elect S-corp tax treatment only after net profit reliably exceeds the IRS reasonable-salary threshold. A CPA should run the math.

What taxes will surprise me?

Self-employment tax (15.3%), quarterly estimated taxes, multi-jurisdiction sales tax, local meals or prepared food taxes, state unemployment insurance, federal unemployment tax (FUTA), excise tax on propane in some states, and personal property tax on the truck and equipment in many counties.

Should I use a CPA from year one?

Yes. A CPA familiar with food service costs $1,500-$4,000/year for a small operation and saves multiples of that in correctly filed payroll taxes, sales tax, entity choice, depreciation, and audit defense. DIY is realistic only if you already have small-business tax experience.

Flavor Fleets

Food truck tax stacks higher than a typical small business because you collect sales tax in multiple jurisdictions. Federal income tax: single-member LLC files Schedule C; multi-member LLC files Form 1065; S-corp files 1120-S. Quarterly estimated taxes (Form 1040-ES) are due April, June, September, and January. State income tax mirrors federal in most states. Sales tax: every state with sales tax requires you to register, collect, and remit; filing cadence is usually monthly or quarterly. Payroll tax: Form 941 quarterly; Form 940 annually for FUTA. State unemployment is quarterly. W-2s and 1099s go out by January 31. Self-employment tax (15.3%) catches new owners by surprise. 1099-K: Square, Toast, and Clover report all card sales to the IRS. A licensed CPA or attorney in your state should review your specific situation.