Every business mile you drove
has a dollar value.
Let’s find yours.
The IRS standard mileage rate for the second half of 2026 (Jul 1–Dec 31) is 76 cents per mile — up from 72.5 cents earlier in the year, and the highest it has ever been. This tool calculates your exact deduction, personalized to how you work.
Claim this on Schedule C, Line 9. Most people underclaim because they never do the math. That stops here.
How the Standard Mileage Deduction Works
The IRS standard mileage rate lets self-employed filers, business owners, and real estate investors deduct a set amount per business mile — no gas receipts or insurance statements required. For Jul 1–Dec 31, 2026, that rate is 76¢/mile (it was 72.5¢/mile Jan 1–Jun 30), reported on Schedule C, Line 9. See IRS Publication 463 for full guidance.
IRS Standard Mileage Rates by Year
| Tax Year | Rate per Mile |
|---|---|
| 2026 (Jul–Dec) | 76.0¢ — highest ever |
| 2026 (Jan–Jun) | 72.5¢ |
| 2025 | 70.0¢ |
| 2024 | 67.0¢ |
| 2023 | 65.5¢ |
| 2022 (Jul–Dec) | 62.5¢ |
| 2022 (Jan–Jun) | 58.5¢ |
| 2021 | 56.0¢ |
Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses
You can also deduct actual vehicle costs (gas, insurance, depreciation × business-use %). The better method depends on your vehicle and how much you drive. Compare both using the full vehicle deduction guide. Once you choose standard mileage for a vehicle, you generally must stick with it.
The Mileage Log Requirement
The IRS requires contemporaneous records — each entry needs: date, destination, business purpose, and miles. Apps like MileIQ or Everlance auto-log via GPS. Don’t reconstruct from memory at year end — it won’t hold up. See the IRS recordkeeping requirements for details.