Use this free calculator to estimate your 2026 mileage tax deduction. Enter your business miles, pick the rate, and see what you can deduct — based on the official IRS standard mileage rates for 2026.
2026 IRS standard mileage rates
| Purpose | 2026 rate |
|---|---|
| Business | 72.5¢ per mile |
| Medical / Moving (armed forces) | 20.5¢ per mile |
| Charitable | 14¢ per mile |
The business rate rose 2.5 cents from 70¢ in 2025. See the full breakdown in our 2026 IRS mileage rate guide.
How the mileage deduction works
With the standard mileage method, you multiply your business miles by the IRS rate. Drive 5,000 business miles in 2026 and that is 5,000 × $0.725 = $3,625 you can deduct. The catch: you need a proper log to back it up. The IRS wants the date, miles, destination, and business purpose for every trip — see the exact IRS mileage log requirements.
Who can claim the mileage deduction?
Self-employed people, gig and delivery drivers, real estate agents, and other 1099 workers can deduct business miles on Schedule C. W-2 employees generally cannot deduct unreimbursed mileage under current federal rules, though some states differ. If you drive for work, tracking every mile is the difference between a big deduction and leaving money on the table. For a full how-to, read how to track mileage for taxes in 2026.
Business vs personal miles
Only business miles count. Your commute from home to a regular workplace is personal and not deductible, but driving between job sites, to clients, or to pick up supplies is. Keep the two separate in your log so you can prove the business percentage.
Frequently asked questions
What is 72.5 cents per mile in dollars?
72.5 cents per mile means you deduct $0.725 for every business mile. For example, 1,000 miles equals $725, and 10,000 miles equals $7,250.
How do I calculate my mileage deduction for 2026?
Multiply your business miles by the 2026 rate of 72.5 cents. Business miles × 0.725 = your deduction. Use the calculator above to do it instantly.
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
72.5 cents per mile for business, 20.5 cents for medical or moving, and 14 cents for charitable driving, effective January 1, 2026.
Do I need to track my miles to claim the deduction?
Yes. The IRS requires a contemporaneous log with the date, miles, destination, and purpose of each business trip. An app like Mileafy records this automatically.
Can employees use this calculator?
Anyone can estimate a deduction, but under current federal rules most W-2 employees cannot deduct unreimbursed mileage. It applies mainly to self-employed and 1099 workers.
Or skip the spreadsheet — Mileafy logs every mile automatically and exports an IRS-ready report.