Mileage Log Template Calculator
Enter the business miles from your log for 2026 and see the deduction and the tax it removes.
A mileage log is only useful once you turn it into a number. Total the business miles from your template, drop them in below, and the calculator applies the 2026 IRS rate and estimates the tax the deduction takes off your bill.
Standard mileage deduction
2026 is a split year: business miles are 72.5¢ Jan–Jun and 76¢ Jul–Dec (IRS Announcement 2026-11). Medical: 20.5¢ then 23.5¢. Charity: 14¢ all year.
Total deduction
$8,910
Estimated tax saved
$3,219
Avg savings per mile
36.1%
Breakdown
Business Jan–Jun (6,000 mi × $0.725)$4,350
Business Jul–Dec (6,000 mi × $0.76)$4,560
Medical (0 mi × $0.235)$0
Charity (0 mi × $0.14)$0
Total deduction$8,910
Tax savings combine your marginal income bracket and 14.13% SE tax (15.3% × 92.35%) on business miles only. Medical miles use the Jul–Dec rate; split yours at July 1 for an exact figure.
Frequently asked questions
- What has to be in a mileage log for the IRS?
- Four things per trip or per day: the date, the business purpose, the miles driven, and your total annual mileage. Odometer readings at the start and end of the year support the total. A spreadsheet, notebook or app all qualify as long as the entries are made close to the time you drove.
- Does a weekly summary count, or do I need every trip?
- The IRS accepts a log kept at reasonable intervals, so daily totals with the business purpose noted are acceptable. Reconstructing a whole year from memory in April is what gets deductions disallowed on audit.
- Can I just use my platform's mileage report?
- Use it as support, not as your log. Platform reports usually miss app-on waiting miles and the drive to your first accepted job, so they understate the deduction. Keep your own record and reconcile it against the platform total.
- What is the 2026 standard mileage rate?
- 2026 is a split year: $0.725 per business mile for January–June and $0.76 for July–December (IRS Announcement 2026-11). The rate covers gas, maintenance, insurance, tires and depreciation, so you do not deduct those separately when you use it.
- How long do I keep the log?
- At least three years after filing the return that uses it, which is the normal audit window. Many drivers keep seven years of records because vehicle depreciation and prior-year amendments can reach back further.
- Can I switch between logging apps mid-year?
- Yes. Export the earlier data so the year is continuous, then keep both exports. What matters is that the full year is covered by contemporaneous records, not that they came from one tool.
Related calculators
- Mileage Tax Deduction CalculatorDeduct business miles at the 2026 IRS standard rate.
- Business Mileage DeductionBusiness-use miles for freelancers and small-business owners.
- Instacart Tax CalculatorFull tax estimate for Instacart full-service shoppers.
- Amazon Flex Deductions CalculatorMileage, phone, tolls and gear write-offs for Flex drivers.
Related blog posts
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- Standard Mileage Rate 2026: The Complete IRS 76¢ Per Mile Guide2026 IRS standard mileage rate is 76¢/mile. Complete guide for gig workers: business miles, rules, examples, deductions, and how to track every mile.
- DoorDash Mileage Deduction 2026: How Dashers Track, Claim & Maximize Every MileClaim every DoorDash mile at the 2026 IRS rate of 76¢. Learn which trips count, how to track them, and how Dashers save thousands.
- Mileage Deduction Rules 2026: Every IRS Requirement in One PlaceThe complete 2026 IRS mileage deduction rulebook: 76¢ standard rate, standard vs. actual method, commuting rules, recordkeeping, and audit-proof documentation.