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Mileage Tax Deduction Calculator

Turn business miles into a deduction at the 2026 IRS rate of 72.5¢ per mile — and see whether the standard rate or actual expenses saves you more.

Your driving
mi

Includes miles between jobs and to pickups — not your home commute.

Optional · actual-expense method
$

Gas, insurance, repairs, registration, depreciation or lease.

70%
30%
Your mileage deduction
$8,700
worth roughly $2,610 off your tax bill at a 30% combined rate.
Standard mileage (72.5¢ × 12,000)$8,700
Actual expenses (not entered)
Method that winsStandard mileage
Enter your actual vehicle costs to compare both methods. Most freelancers come out ahead with the standard rate — and it needs far less record-keeping.
A planning estimate built from 2026 figures — not a filed return or tax advice. Confirm anything important with a qualified tax professional.

Calculate your business mileage tax deduction for 2026

This free mileage deduction calculator turns the business miles you drive into a tax write-off using the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate of 72.5 cents per mile. Enter your miles and the tool shows your deduction instantly — plus an estimate of the tax it saves you. It's built for rideshare and delivery drivers, real estate agents, sales reps, contractors, and any freelancer who drives for work.

Car and truck expenses are one of the largest deductions on a freelancer's Schedule C, and there are two ways to claim them: the standard mileage rate or the actual-expense method. This calculator computes both, side by side, and tells you which one produces the bigger deduction — so you don't leave money on the table or pick the wrong method in year one.

The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate

For 2026 the IRS business standard mileage rate is 72.5 cents per mile, up from 70 cents in 2025. Multiply your business miles by that rate and you have your deduction — no receipts for individual fill-ups required, just a reliable mileage log.

The calculator also stores prior-year rates (70¢ for 2025, 67¢ for 2024, 65.5¢ for 2023) so a trip logged late, or an amended return, is always valued at the correct rate for its year.

Standard mileage vs. actual expenses

The actual-expense method adds up everything the vehicle costs over the year — gas, insurance, repairs, registration, lease payments, and depreciation — and deducts the business-use percentage. It usually only beats the standard rate for expensive vehicles or unusually high running costs.

Important: once you choose the actual-expense method for a car, you generally can't switch back to the standard mileage rate for that vehicle in later years. Compare both carefully the first year you use a car for business — which is exactly what this calculator is for.

Which miles count as business miles

Deductible business miles include driving between job sites, to client meetings, to pick up supplies, and — for rideshare and delivery drivers — the miles spent driving to a pickup and between orders. Your normal commute from home to a regular workplace is personal and is not deductible. Whichever method you use, the IRS expects a contemporaneous log showing the date, mileage, and business purpose of each trip.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 2026 IRS mileage rate?+

72.5 cents per mile for business use, up 2.5 cents from the 2025 rate of 70 cents per mile.

How do I calculate my mileage deduction?+

Multiply your total business miles for the year by the standard mileage rate for that year. For 2026 that's miles × $0.725. This calculator does it instantly and also estimates the tax you save.

Do I need receipts to claim the standard mileage rate?+

You don't need fuel receipts, but you do need a contemporaneous mileage log — the date, miles, and business purpose of each trip. The IRS can disallow undocumented mileage, so log trips as they happen.

Can I deduct my commute to work?+

No. Driving between your home and a regular place of work is a personal commute. Trips between job sites, to clients, or to pick up supplies are deductible business miles.

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