Buy out your lease at contract residual, sell to CarMax/Carvana for the market spread.
Lease residuals set 24–39 months in advance often lag actual used market values — creating $2K–$10K of hidden equity. Buy the vehicle at contracted residual (financed via credit union at 6–8%), immediately sell to CarMax/Carvana/Vroom at market. Watch out for captive lender restrictions barring third-party buyouts (Ford, GM did in 2022) — some require lessee to buy first then sell. Also watch state sales tax on the buyout leg.
Click Generate advisory deep dive for mechanics, IRC citations, a step-by-step execution plan, a worked numeric example on your profile, costs, risks, and this-week actions.
6,000+ lb SUV/truck — deduct nearly the full price year 1.
Dedicated fuel cards with 25¢/gal rebates, 30-day float, and no personal guarantee.
Stack app rebates + fuel card + rewards card for 40–60¢/gal off.
Owner-operators get 20–60¢/gal off diesel via fleet fuel networks — no fee.
Write off up to 100% of a business vehicle over 6,000 lb GVWR in Year 1.
Lease deducts 100% of payments; buy deducts depreciation — pick by term and use.
Lease any EV and get the full $7,500 credit — no income cap, no assembly rules.
30% of purchase price up to $4,000 on qualifying used EVs from a licensed dealer.