Financing ends with you owning the machine. A lease ends with a decision. Which is cheaper depends entirely on how long the asset stays useful to you.
| Equipment financing | Equipment leasing | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Yours from day one, lender holds a lien | Lessor owns it during the term |
| Down payment | $0–20% depending on the file | Often first and last payment only |
| Monthly payment | Higher | Lower |
| End of term | You own it free and clear | Buy out, renew, or return |
| Tax treatment | Depreciation, often Section 179 | Payments generally deductible as expense |
| Best for | Long-lived assets you will keep | Fast-obsoleting tech, short project needs |
For iron — excavators, trucks, CNC, refrigeration — finance and own it. For anything that ages fast, lease and keep the option to walk. Ask your CPA before deciding on tax grounds; the structures are treated differently.
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