Mileage Deduction Calculator (2026)
Estimate your tax deduction for business driving. Enter your business miles for the year and multiply by the IRS standard mileage rate — that's your deduction.
| Business miles | 0 |
| Rate per mile | $0.00 |
| At a 22% marginal tax rate, saves you ≈ | $0 |
How it works
The IRS lets you deduct a fixed amount per business mile instead of tracking actual car expenses: deduction = business miles × standard mileage rate. The "tax saved" row multiplies the deduction by a 22% marginal rate to show the rough cash value — adjust for your own bracket.
Frequently asked questions
Standard mileage rate or actual expenses — which is better?
The standard rate is simpler and wins for most people with economical cars. Actual expenses (gas, insurance, depreciation, repairs, prorated by business-use %) can beat it for expensive vehicles or high repair bills. You can switch methods in later years, but there are restrictions — check IRS rules first.
What counts as business miles?
Driving to meet clients, job sites, the post office for business mail, supply runs, and business travel. Commuting from home to a regular workplace does not count. If your home is your principal place of business, trips from home to clients generally do count.
Do I need a mileage log?
Yes — the IRS requires a contemporaneous log: date, destination, business purpose, and miles for each trip. A simple spreadsheet or notes-app log works fine, as long as you keep it up to date.
🚗 Track every mile automatically
Grab the Small Business Expense & Mileage Tracker — a done-for-you mileage log plus expense spreadsheet.