Free Mileage Deduction Calculator (2026 IRS Rates)
If you're self-employed or run a side hustle and drive for it, you can usually deduct business miles at the IRS standard mileage rate. For 2026 the IRS set two rates: 72.5 cents a mile for January 1 to June 30 and 76 cents a mile for July 1 to December 31. Enter your business miles for each half of the year to estimate the deduction.
It runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent anywhere. The miles filled in below are a made-up example; change them to yours. Rates are from the IRS standard mileage rates page (checked October 2026). You can edit them for other years.
How the math works
- Deduction = business miles × the IRS rate for when you drove them.
- Business parking fees and tolls are added on top; the standard rate already covers gas, repairs, insurance and wear.
- Rough tax saved = deduction × your tax rate. It's only a ballpark.
Example (made up): 1,800 business miles in the first half of 2026 × 72.5¢ = $1,305.00, plus 2,200 miles in the second half × 76¢ = $1,672.00, plus $40 of parking and tolls = $3,017.00. At a rough 25% tax rate, that's about $754.25 less tax.
Good to know
- Business miles are trips for your business, like driving to a client, picking up supplies or making deliveries. Your regular commute doesn't count.
- Keep a log as you go: date, where, why and miles. A deduction without records is hard to back up.
- The standard rate is for self-employed and business use. Employees generally can't deduct unreimbursed work miles on a federal return.
- You can use actual car costs instead of the standard rate, and there are rules about when you can switch. See IRS Publication 463 or a tax professional.
This is general information, not tax advice.
Keep the mileage log all year
The Mileage Log & Car Expense Tracker ($5) is a spreadsheet with a 400-row trip log (odometer or just miles, Business or Personal) and a 300-row car expense log, plus a summary of business vs. personal miles by month, business %, a mileage total at the per-mile rate you enter, cost per mile and a chart. You type the trips in yourself; there's no GPS tracking. Works in Excel and Google Sheets. Record-keeping only, not tax advice.
Get the mileage log on Gumroad – $5
This template is also in the Self-Employed & Small Business Bundle (what's inside): all 9 business tools for $29 (about $80 if bought one by one).
Also tracking side hustle income and expenses? See the Side Hustle Income & Expense Tracker.
We make this template, so take that into account. The calculator above is free to use either way.
Related free guides
- How to Track Car Mileage for Taxes
- How Much to Set Aside for Side Hustle Taxes
- Is Your Side Hustle Worth It? Work Out Profit per Hour
- Side Hustle Budget: Tracking Your First $1,000
More free tools: all calculators.
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