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Mileage Deduction

A tax deduction for business-related driving, calculated using the IRS standard mileage rate ($0.70/mile for 2026) or actual vehicle expenses.

Mileage Deduction Definition

The mileage deduction allows you to deduct the cost of using your vehicle for business purposes. You can use the IRS standard mileage rate or track actual expenses — whichever gives you a larger deduction.

2026 IRS Standard Mileage Rates

  • Business: $0.70 per mile
  • Medical/moving: $0.22 per mile
  • Charity: $0.14 per mile (set by statute, rarely changes)
  • Standard Mileage Rate vs. Actual Expenses

  • Standard rate — multiply business miles by $0.70. Simple, no receipt tracking for gas/maintenance.
  • Actual expenses — track all vehicle costs (gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation, registration) and multiply by business-use percentage. More work, but often larger deduction for expensive vehicles.
  • What Counts as Business Miles

  • Driving to meet clients or attend business meetings
  • Trips to the bank, post office, or supply store for business
  • Travel between two work locations
  • NOT commuting — home to primary office is never deductible
  • How to Track Mileage

  • Use an app (MileIQ, Everlast, or QuickBooks mileage tracker)
  • Log: date, destination, business purpose, miles driven
  • The IRS requires contemporaneous records — logging from memory at year-end won't hold up
  • FAQ

    Q: Can I deduct mileage if I work from home?

    A: Yes — if your home is your principal place of business, all business trips from home are deductible (not commuting).

    Related Terms

  • Tax Deduction
  • Business Expense
  • Per Diem
  • Reimbursement
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    Related Terms

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