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Which one sounds like you?
Some guides apply to everyone. Others depend on whether the money comes back as a tax deduction or as a reimbursement from your employer.
IRS Mileage Rate 2026: Your Complete Guide
The rate most employers reimburse at, and why paying at or below it keeps the money tax-free for you.
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Are Commuting Miles Tax Deductible?
Which drives your employer should be paying for, and which ones are your own commute.
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Free IRS Mileage Log Template
The itemised record most employers want to see before they approve a claim.
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Mileage Tracker App Privacy: A Practical Guide
What a tracking app can see, and what you actually have to hand over to get paid back.
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How to Calculate Mileage for Taxes
Total the miles, apply the rate, report it on Schedule C — and keep a log that holds up.
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What Is a 1099 Employee?
How your taxes work when you get a 1099 instead of a W-2, and every deduction contractors miss.
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Standard Mileage Rate vs. Section 179 Deduction
Two ways to write off a vehicle, side by side, and which one usually wins for solo drivers.
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Mileage Deductions for Gig Jobs in 2026
Uber, DoorDash, Instacart, Amazon Flex: what your platform’s mileage report leaves out.
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Free IRS Mileage Log Template
The record the whole deduction rests on if you are ever asked to produce it.
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The Best No GPS Mile Tracker
Choosing a tracker that builds a complete record without running GPS all day.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Short answers, with a pointer to the guide that covers each one properly.
Can I deduct mileage if I’m a gig worker or contractor?▼
Generally yes, if you receive a 1099 and the driving is for work. Which miles count, and what they are worth, is the whole subject of two guides: Mileage Deductions for Gig Jobs and What Is a 1099 Employee?
My employer reimburses me — can I still deduct the miles?▼
Generally no. Reimbursement and the deduction are alternatives, not additions. IRS Mileage Rate 2026 explains the rate most employers reimburse at, and Are Commuting Miles Tax Deductible? covers which drives qualify in the first place.
How do I know which of my trips actually count?▼
What matters most is the purpose of the drive, not the distance. Driving between job sites, out to clients, or on business errands counts. Some medical and charitable driving can qualify too, at their own lower rates. Commuting between home and your regular workplace does not — though a home office, a temporary job site, or a stop on the way home can each flip that answer. Are Commuting Miles Tax Deductible? walks through those cases.
What does the IRS want in a mileage log?▼
Four fields for every business trip, recorded at or near the time you drove. How to Calculate Mileage for Taxes explains the requirement, and Free IRS Mileage Log Template hands you the file.
Standard mileage rate or actual expenses — which should I use?▼
It depends on the vehicle and on the first year you put it into service. Standard Mileage Rate vs. Section 179 Deduction runs both side by side.
Do I need a GPS app to track mileage?▼
No. The IRS asks for a contemporaneous record, not a location trace. The Best No GPS Mile Tracker and Mileage Tracker App Privacy cover the trade-offs.
Not legal or tax advice. The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and reflects our understanding of current IRS guidance. Tax rules change, and individual situations vary. Nothing here constitutes legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.