2026 has two business mileage rates because the IRS raised it mid-year. Miles driven January 1 through June 30 are deducted at 72.5 cents; miles driven July 1 through December 31 at 76 cents. Medical and moving mileage moved from 20.5 to 23.5 cents on the same date, and the charitable rate stayed at 14 cents. Use the rate matching the date you drove, not the date you file, which means your log needs to separate the two halves of the year.
If you drive for business purposes—whether you're a real estate agent, delivery driver, sales professional, personal trainer, dog walker or pet sitter, or self-employed contractor—understanding the IRS standard mileage rate is essential for maximizing your tax deductions.
What is the IRS Standard Mileage Rate?
The IRS standard mileage rate is a per-mile amount you can deduct for business use of your personal vehicle. Instead of tracking every expense—gas, oil changes, insurance, depreciation—you simply multiply your business miles by the standard rate.
For 2026, the rate isn't a single number. The IRS originally set the business rate at 72.5 cents per mile, then raised it to 76 cents per mile effective July 1, 2026 — a rare mid-year change driven by rising fuel prices. That makes 2026 a split year: 72.5¢ for miles driven January through June, and 76¢ for miles driven July through December. Use the rate that matches the date you drove, not the date you file.
Important: You cannot deduct both the standard mileage rate AND actual vehicle expenses. You must choose one method and stick with it for the tax year.
2026 IRS Mileage Rates at a Glance
| Purpose | Jan 1 – Jun 30, 2026 | Jul 1 – Dec 31, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Business | 72.5 cents | 76 cents |
| Medical/Moving (military only) | 20.5 cents | 23.5 cents |
| Charity | 14 cents | 14 cents |
← Scroll to see the full table →
How Much Can You Deduct?
Your potential deduction depends on how many business miles you drive. Here's what the math looks like:
Example Calculation
Because 2026 has two rates, you calculate each half of the year separately. Say you drove 5,000 business miles before July 1 and 5,000 after:
At the first-half rate, every 1,000 business miles equals $725 in deductions; at the second-half 76¢ rate, the same 1,000 miles is worth $760. The average business driver logs around 10,000–15,000 miles per year, translating to roughly $7,250 to $11,400 in deductions depending on when the miles were driven.
What Qualifies as Business Mileage?
Not every trip in your car counts as a business deduction. Here's what the IRS considers deductible:
Deductible Business Miles
- Driving from one work location to another
- Visiting clients or customers
- Going to business meetings
- Traveling to pick up supplies or equipment
- Driving to the bank for business purposes
- Airport trips for business travel
NOT Deductible
- Commuting — Driving from home to your regular workplace is generally not deductible (three IRS exceptions apply)
- Personal errands, even during work hours
- Driving to lunch (unless meeting a client)
Home Office Exception: If your home office qualifies as your principal place of business under IRC §280A(c)(1)(A), the drive from home to your first job stops being a commute and becomes deductible business travel — often thousands of dollars a year most people never claim. Here's exactly how the home office rule works and whether you qualify →
Record-Keeping Requirements
The IRS requires "adequate records" to support your mileage deduction. If you're audited, you'll need to prove:
- Date of each trip
- Destination (or business purpose)
- Business purpose of the trip
- Miles driven
A mileage log—whether paper or digital—is the gold standard for documentation. Our dedicated IRS mileage log guide covers every requirement in detail. The IRS specifically states that records made at or near the time of the expense are more reliable than reconstructed records.
Stop Forgetting to Log Your Miles
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Try TrakMiles Free for 14 DaysStandard Mileage Rate vs. Actual Expenses
You have two options for deducting vehicle expenses:
Standard Mileage Method
- Multiply business miles by the rate for the date driven — 72.5 cents (Jan–Jun) or 76 cents (Jul–Dec)
- Simple tracking—just log your miles
- Best for most drivers with newer, fuel-efficient vehicles
Actual Expense Method
- Track all vehicle costs: gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation, etc.
- Calculate business-use percentage
- May be better for expensive vehicles or high operating costs
- Requires more detailed record-keeping
Most business drivers find the standard mileage rate simpler and often more beneficial. However, if you drive an older vehicle with high repair costs or a luxury vehicle with high depreciation, actual expenses might yield a larger deduction. See our guide on automatic vs. manual mileage tracking to find the best way to capture every deductible mile.
Historical IRS Mileage Rates
The standard mileage rate has increased significantly over the past few years due to rising fuel and vehicle costs:
| Year | Business Rate |
|---|---|
| 2026 (Jul-Dec) | 76 cents |
| 2026 (Jan-Jun) | 72.5 cents |
| 2025 | 70 cents |
| 2024 | 67 cents |
| 2023 | 65.5 cents |
| 2022 (Jul-Dec) | 62.5 cents |
| 2022 (Jan-Jun) | 58.5 cents |
← Scroll to see the full table →
Notice that 2026 and 2022 are the only recent years with two business rates — both because of mid-year increases tied to rising fuel costs.
Tips for Maximizing Your Mileage Deduction
- Track every trip — Forgotten miles are lost deductions. Use an automatic mileage tracker to capture every business trip. Not sure which to use? Compare TrakMiles Pro vs MileIQ, TrakMiles Pro vs Everlance, and TrakMiles Pro vs TripLog to see which fits how you drive.
- Classify trips immediately — Mark trips as business or personal right away while you remember the purpose.
- Combine trips strategically — Plan your business errands to maximize deductible mileage.
- Keep backup documentation — Save calendar appointments, client meeting notes, and receipts that support your business purpose.
- Review your logs regularly — Catch and correct any missed trips before tax time.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 IRS mileage rate — 72.5 cents per mile for January–June and 76 cents for July–December after the mid-year increase — represents a significant tax-saving opportunity for anyone who drives for business, from rideshare and delivery drivers to real estate agents, mobile notaries, and self-employed cleaners. With proper tracking, the average business driver can claim thousands of dollars in deductions.
The key is consistent, accurate record-keeping. Whether you use a paper log or an automatic mileage tracking app, make sure you're capturing every deductible mile — especially during high-volume stretches like summer, when deductible miles pile up fastest.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.