See your mileage deduction in 10 seconds
A deduction lowers your taxable income; your actual tax saved depends on your bracket. Estimate, not tax advice. Uses the IRS standard mileage rate — the alternative “actual expense” method may differ.
A number is easy. The log is the hard part.
The IRS doesn't accept an estimate — it wants a mileage log with the date, distance, and purpose of every business drive. LiveGasCost keeps that log for you automatically, all year, and hands you this exact figure at tax time. That's the whole point.
Join the waitlist2026 IRS standard mileage rates
| Purpose | Rate |
|---|---|
| Business — from July 1, 2026 (current) | 76¢ / mi |
| Business — January 1, 2026 to the change | 72.5¢ / mi |
| Medical / moving (current) | 23.5¢ / mi |
| Charitable (set by law) | 14¢ / mi |
| Business — 2025, for comparison | 70¢ / mi |
The IRS raised the business rate mid-year — from 72.5¢ to 76¢ on July 1, 2026— after gas prices climbed about 38%. If you drove for business both before and after that date, your deduction is the two pieces added together, each at its own rate. Flip on “split year” above to do it exactly.
How the mileage deduction works
The standard mileage method is the simple one: multiply your business miles by the IRS rate and that's your deduction — it's meant to cover gas, wear, insurance, and depreciation all in one. You claim it on Schedule C (self-employed) or the right form for your situation. The only thing standing between you and the deduction is proof: a contemporaneous log of each drive. Keep that, and the rest is arithmetic.
For the background on why the rate moved, read the IRS mileage rate guide. For fuel rather than deductions, use the gas cost calculator.
What's the 2026 mileage rate?
76¢ per business mile from July 1, 2026 onward, and 72.5¢ per mile for the first half of 2026. Medical/moving is 23.5¢ and charitable is 14¢.
Why are there two business rates for 2026?
The IRS made a rare mid-year adjustment on July 1, 2026, raising the rate because fuel prices rose sharply. Drives before that date use 72.5¢; drives on or after use 76¢.
Do I need to track every drive?
To claim the deduction, yes — the IRS wants a log with each business drive's date, miles, and purpose. LiveGasCost records this automatically so you don't have to remember.
Standard rate or actual expenses — which is better?
The standard mileage rate is simpler and usually wins for higher-mileage drivers. The actual-expense method can be larger for expensive vehicles. Many people run both and take the bigger one; a tax pro can confirm for your case.