Section 179 + Bonus Depreciation Calculator

Your specific after-tax return.

Adjust your tax bracket and number of trucks. The calculator shows your real return after Section 179, bonus depreciation, monthly cash distributions, and residual recovery.

Your inputs

Adjust to see your projected return.

1
1 5 10 15 20
Investment: $125,000
Federal + state combined effective rate. Consult your tax advisor — the actual rate depends on your specific situation.
4 years (fixed)
Standard CDL Empire term. At year 4 you can buyback, refinance, or sell. ~12 weeks from wire to truck on the road.
Net total return over 4 years
+$132,000 +106%
On $125,000 invested. Annualized post-tax IRR: ~45%
All figures shown are estimated target returns based on platform averages and current market conditions. Actual returns vary and are not guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Estimated return breakdown

Target case based on platform performance to date. Not guaranteed.

Layer 1
Estimated cash distributions (4 years)
Monthly ACH, target case net of fees
$192,000
154% of capital
Layer 2
Section 179 + bonus depreciation
Estimated year-1 tax savings at 32% effective rate (depends on your situation)
$40,000
32% of capital
Layer 3
Estimated truck residual at exit
4-year-old Class 8 resale (varies with market)
$25,000
20% of capital
Estimated total return
$257,000
206% of capital

Estimated year-by-year cash flow

Target case. Actual annual distributions vary with freight market, truck utilization, and operating conditions.

Year
Description
Amount (est.)
0
Investment + estimated Section 179 tax shield
−$125,000 + $40,000
−$85,000
1
Estimated cash distributions (ramp + initial loads)
+$40,000
2
Estimated cash (full utilization)
+$50,000
3
Estimated cash (peak earning year)
+$54,000
4
Estimated cash + truck residual recovery
$48,000 + $25,000
+$73,000
Total
Estimated net cash position
+$132,000

For context (long-run averages)

Comparable benchmarks. Not guarantees of future returns for any asset class.

S&P 500 long-run average ~10%
10-year Treasury (2026) ~4.3%
Top-quartile private equity IRR 15–20%
Yieldstreet alternative platform 7–12%
CDL Empire (estimated, your inputs) ~45%
Important: Calculator output is illustrative based on platform averages and your input assumptions. Returns are estimated, not guaranteed. Actual returns depend on truck performance, freight market conditions, and your specific tax situation. Section 179 deduction may be limited if you do not have sufficient active business income. Bonus depreciation is being phased out (60% in 2024, 40% in 2025, 20% in 2026, 0% from 2027). Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your tax and financial advisor before subscribing.

See three specific trucks currently available.

In a 45-minute call, we'll walk through three trucks open for funding right now, show you live data from operating trucks, and answer any questions about the structure.

Schedule a Call Request the PPM