How do I legally pay less in taxes?
Short answer
Hire a CPA who specializes in small trades. The right S-corp election, retirement plan, and vehicle deductions usually pay their fee five times over.
The big levers
S-corp election if profit supports it. SEP or solo 401(k) for big tax-deferred contributions. Section 179 on equipment. Proper home office and vehicle deductions. Section 199A for qualified business income.
Don't DIY past a point
TurboTax is fine at $50K profit. At $200K profit you're leaving five figures on the table without a real CPA. The fee is the smallest line item in the whole equation.
Ask your version of this question
This is one business owner-tested take. Your shop size, trade, and team change the answer. Ask the exact version inside Ask a Shop Owner and get a response grounded in how owners like you actually handled it.