Are Car Washes Included in the Standard Mileage Rate? (IRS Answer)
Updated April 2026 · 4 min read · Source: IRS Publication 463
Short Answer: Yes
Car washes are included in the IRS standard mileage rate. The 2025 rate of 70 cents per mile is designed to cover all vehicle operating costs — including routine cleaning. You cannot deduct car washes separately if you use the standard mileage rate. The only extras you can add are parking fees and tolls.
What Exactly Does the Standard Mileage Rate Cover?
The IRS sets the standard mileage rate each year based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating a vehicle. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included in the rate vs. what can be added separately:
✓ Included in the Rate
- Gasoline and fuel
- Engine oil and fluid changes
- Car washes and detailing
- Tires and tire rotation
- Routine maintenance
- Auto insurance premiums
- Vehicle registration fees
- Depreciation (vehicle wear)
- Repairs and parts
+ Can Add on Top
- Business parking fees
- Business toll charges
- (Nothing else)
Why Can’t I Deduct Car Washes Separately on Top of Mileage?
The standard mileage rate exists precisely to eliminate the need to track individual vehicle costs. The IRS built car wash costs into the calculation when they set the 70¢ rate. Deducting car washes on top of the mileage rate would be claiming the same cost twice — a clear violation of the rules.
Think of it this way: when you multiply your business miles by 70 cents, a small portion of each cent is already accounting for the car washes you paid for throughout the year. The math is already done for you.
When Can Car Washes Be Deducted Separately?
Car washes can only be deducted separately if you use the actual expense method instead of the standard mileage rate. Under actual expenses, you track every vehicle cost — gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation, and car washes — and multiply the total by your business-use percentage.
Example: If you spent $50/month ($600/year) on car washes and drive the vehicle 80% for business, you’d deduct $480 in car wash costs as part of your actual vehicle expenses.
However, you can only use the actual expense method if you didn’t use the standard mileage rate for this vehicle in the first year you put it into service. See the vehicle deduction guide for the full rules on switching methods.
Does the Same Rule Apply to Car Detailing?
Yes. Professional detailing — interior cleaning, exterior polish, engine bay washing — is treated the same as a basic car wash under IRS Publication 463. Both are vehicle cleaning costs.
- Standard mileage rate: detailing is included, cannot deduct separately
- Actual expense method: the business-use percentage of detailing is deductible
What About a Monthly Car Wash Membership?
Monthly unlimited car wash subscriptions (common at gas stations and dedicated car wash facilities) are treated identically to individual washes — they’re vehicle operating costs covered by the mileage rate. If you’re on the actual expense method, the monthly fee prorated by your business-use percentage is deductible.
2025 Standard Mileage Rate Quick Reference
- Business driving: 70 cents per mile
- Medical / moving (active military): 21 cents per mile
- Charitable service: 14 cents per mile
Use our mileage calculator to quickly compute your total deduction for the year.
Bottom Line
Yes, car washes are included in the IRS standard mileage rate for 2025. The 70¢/mile rate covers all vehicle operating costs — gas, oil, tires, insurance, depreciation, and car washes. You cannot separately deduct car wash costs on top of the mileage rate.
If you want to deduct car washes as a separate line item, you need to use the actual expense method — which means tracking all vehicle costs and multiplying by your business-use percentage.
For most self-employed drivers, the standard rate is simpler and often larger. But if you have high actual vehicle costs and want every penny of deduction, run both calculations. Our complete car wash deduction guide walks through both methods in detail.
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