Mileage Deduction Calculator — Free 2026 Calculator
The IRS lets you deduct business mileage at $0.70 per mile for 2026 — or you can deduct actual vehicle expenses. Enter your miles below to see your deduction and compare both methods.
Business miles only — commuting does not count
Calculation Method
Standard Mileage Rate vs. Actual Expenses
The IRS gives you two ways to deduct vehicle expenses for business. The standard mileage rate is a flat per-mile deduction ($0.70 for 2026) that covers gas, depreciation, maintenance, insurance, and all operating costs. The actual expense method lets you deduct the business-use percentage of your real vehicle costs.
The standard rate is simpler — you only need to track miles, not expenses. The actual method can save more if your vehicle has high depreciation (luxury or new vehicles) or if you drive relatively few miles but have high fixed costs. Use the calculator above to compare both.
What Qualifies as Business Mileage
- Driving to meet clients or customers at their location
- Travel between work sites (e.g., from one job to another)
- Trips to the bank, post office, or office supply store for business
- Travel to business conferences, seminars, or trade shows
- Airport or train station trips for business travel
Commuting is not deductible. Driving from your home to your regular place of business is personal, not business, mileage. However, if you have a qualifying home office, trips from home to client sites are fully deductible.
Mileage Log Requirements
The IRS requires a written record made at or near the time of each trip. For every business trip, record:
- ☑Date of the trip
- ☑Destination (name and address)
- ☑Business purpose of the trip
- ☑Miles driven
You can use a mileage-tracking app, a spreadsheet, or a physical notebook. The IRS will reject reconstructed logs created after the fact — record each trip when it happens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 IRS mileage rate?
The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is $0.70 per business mile. This rate covers gas, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and all other vehicle operating costs. You cannot claim these expenses separately if you use the standard rate.
Should I use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses?
The standard rate is simpler and works well if you drive a fuel-efficient or older vehicle. The actual expense method may save more if you drive an expensive vehicle with high depreciation, or if your total expenses per mile exceed $0.70. The calculator above compares both methods for you.
What counts as business mileage?
Business mileage includes trips to meet clients, travel between work sites, trips to the office supply store, bank visits for business, and travel to business conferences. Commuting from home to your regular office does NOT count — but trips from a home office to a client site do.
Do I need a mileage log?
Yes. The IRS requires contemporaneous records of your business mileage. For each trip, record the date, destination, business purpose, and miles driven. A mileage-tracking app, spreadsheet, or physical logbook all work — the key is recording trips when they happen, not reconstructing them at tax time.
Can I switch between standard and actual methods?
If you use the standard mileage rate in the first year you use a vehicle for business, you can switch to actual expenses in later years. However, if you start with actual expenses, you generally cannot switch to the standard rate for that vehicle. The choice in the first year matters.
TaxTidy provides expense organization tools based on the most current US tax law available to it. TaxTidy is not a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or licensed tax professional. All categorizations, deductions, and tax calculations are estimates. Please verify all data for accuracy and consult a certified tax professional before filing.
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