Are You Leaving Money on the Road?
- mcrossbookkeeping
- May 29
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 31
If you drive for business, every mile matters.
Whether you're meeting clients, visiting job sites, attending networking events, making deliveries, or running other business-related errands, those miles can add up to a valuable tax deduction. The problem is that many business owners don't track them consistently—or at all.
For the first half of 2026, the IRS standard mileage rate for business driving was
72.5 cents per mile.
To put that into perspective:
1,000 business miles = $725
5,000 business miles = $3,625
10,000 business miles = $7,250
That's not pocket change.
Unfortunately, many business owners wait until tax time and then try to remember where they drove throughout the year. By then, details have been forgotten, calendars are incomplete, and potential deductions may be lost.
The easiest approach is to keep track of your mileage as you go. A few minutes each week can save hours of frustration later—and help ensure you have the records you need when tax season arrives.
If you've ever thought, "I probably don't drive enough for it to matter," you might be surprised how quickly those miles add up over the course of a year.
The good news? Tracking mileage has become much easier than it used to be. Today's apps can automatically record your drives and help you separate business trips from personal ones.
In my next post, I'll walk through several mileage tracking options and show you how to create a simple system that takes just a few minutes each week.
Mileage deductions and record keeping requirements vary by situation. Consult your tax professional regarding your specific circumstances
2026 IRS Mileage Rate Update
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the standard business mileage rate increased to 76¢ per mile for business miles driven July 1 through December 31, 2026.
If you drove business miles during both halves of 2026, be sure your mileage log includes the date of each trip. Keeping accurate records will help ensure you're using the correct IRS mileage rate at tax time.
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