Enter your total business miles and instantly see your estimated tax deduction using the IRS standard mileage rate. Updated for 2026.
IRS standard rate for 2026: $0.70/mile
Does not qualify: Your regular commute from home to your first job site (unless you have a qualifying home office), personal errands, or personal trips.
Log every business trip as an expense against the job it belongs to. See your real profit per job — after materials, mileage, and time. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
Start for freeThe IRS standard mileage rate for 2026 business driving is $0.70 per mile. This rate is set by the IRS and updated periodically to reflect changes in fuel costs and vehicle operating costs.
Yes. Miles driven between your regular place of business and a job site — or between two job sites — are fully deductible business miles. Commuting from home to your first site of the day is not deductible unless you have a qualifying home office.
The standard mileage rate is simpler and better for most independent contractors. The actual expense method (tracking fuel, insurance, depreciation, repairs) can yield a higher deduction if your car is expensive to run, but requires significantly more record-keeping. You must choose one method for the year.
Yes. The IRS requires a contemporaneous mileage log — ideally recorded at the time of each trip. It should include the date, destination, business purpose, and miles driven. A simple notes app or spreadsheet works. Several apps can track this automatically using your phone's GPS.
Business miles include: driving to client sites and job locations, trips to pick up materials or supplies, driving to meet potential clients, bank runs for business deposits, and driving to business-related appointments (accountant, lawyer, supplier). Personal errands and standard commuting do not qualify.