Mileage Deduction Calculator 2026
Your 2026 or 2025 mileage deduction with the mid-year 2026 rate change (72.5¢ then 76¢ business, 20.5¢ then 23.5¢ medical, 14¢ charity) applied automatically, parking and tolls, estimated tax saved and a standard-rate vs actual-expense comparison.
| Rate applied | — |
|---|---|
| Mileage amount | — |
| Parking and tolls (added on top) | — |
| Estimated tax saved | — |
| Actual-expense method | — |
| Better method | — |
In short
The 2026 IRS standard mileage rate is 72.5¢ per business mile for 1 January–30 June and 76¢ from 1 July (medical 20.5¢ then 23.5¢; charity 14¢; 2025 was 70¢ / 21¢ / 14¢). Multiply miles by the rate, add parking and tolls, and deduct on Schedule C — it reduces self-employment tax too. Employees cannot deduct unreimbursed mileage federally; commuting never counts; keep a dated log.
Who this is for: Self-employed, gig workers and small-business owners claiming car expenses, plus anyone with medical or charitable miles.
The 2026 standard mileage rates
| Purpose | 1 Jan – 30 Jun 2026 | 1 Jul – 31 Dec 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 72.5¢ | 76¢ | 70¢ |
| Medical / moving (armed forces only) | 20.5¢ | 23.5¢ | 21¢ |
| Charitable | 14¢ | 14¢ | 14¢ |
- The IRS raised the 2026 rates from 1 July because of higher fuel and vehicle costs, so you need to split your log at 30 June.
- Standard rate vs actual expenses: the standard rate replaces fuel, insurance, maintenance, registration and depreciation. Parking and tolls are deductible on top under either method.
- To use the standard rate you must choose it in the first year the car is used for business; after that you can switch to actual expenses (with straight-line depreciation) and back. Leased cars must keep the standard rate for the whole lease.
- Business mileage goes on Schedule C (line 9) and reduces both income tax and self-employment tax — which is why the marginal-rate box suggests including SE tax.
See also: 1099 vs W-2 Calculator.
Assumptions
- 2026 rates split at 30 June (business 72.5¢ / 76¢; medical 20.5¢ / 23.5¢; charity 14¢); 2025 rates 70¢ / 21¢ / 14¢.
- Parking and tolls added under both methods; actual-expense deduction = costs × business-use share.
- Tax saved = deduction × the marginal rate entered.
Worked example
Standard rate: 6,000 × 72.5¢ = $4,350 plus 6,500 × 76¢ = $4,940, so $9,290 of mileage plus $350 tolls = $9,640 deductible, saving about $3,567 of tax. Actual method: 12,500 ÷ 15,000 = 83.3% business use × $9,000 = $7,500 plus $350 tolls = $7,850. The standard rate wins by $1,790 and needs far less paperwork.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 2026 IRS mileage rate?
72.5¢ per business mile for 1 January to 30 June 2026 and 76¢ from 1 July; medical is 20.5¢ then 23.5¢; charitable stays at 14¢.
Can W-2 employees deduct mileage?
Not on the federal return since 2018 (through at least 2025 under TCJA and made permanent by the 2025 law). Ask your employer for reimbursement at the IRS rate — it is tax-free to you.
Is commuting deductible?
No. Home to your regular workplace is personal. Travel between job sites, to clients, or from a qualifying home office is deductible.
Standard rate or actual expenses?
The standard rate usually wins for economical, high-mileage cars; actual expenses win for expensive vehicles with low business miles. The calculator compares both.
Do I need a log?
Yes — the IRS expects a contemporaneous record of date, miles, destination and business purpose; apps that track trips automatically are accepted.
Can I deduct mileage for a rideshare or delivery job?
Yes — miles while logged in and driving to pick-ups count; keep a log and the standard rate usually beats actual costs.
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