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2026 Update: IRS Standard Mileage Rates Revealed

The Internal Revenue Service has officially released the 2026 standard mileage rates, adjusted for inflation, which taxpayers can use to calculate the deductible expenses associated with operating a vehicle for business, medical, charitable, or certain moving purposes starting January 1, 2026.

For the forthcoming year, the standard mileage rates are as follows:

  • 72.5 cents per mile for business-related driving, marking an increase from the previous 70 cents per mile in 2025. This encompasses a 35-cent-per-mile allocation for vehicle depreciation.

  • 20.5 cents per mile for medical trips and certain qualifying moving expenses, a slight decline from 21 cents per mile in 2025.

  • 14 cents per mile for services conducted for charitable organizations, consistent with prior years.

These rates are determined through an annual study of the fixed and variable costs associated with vehicle operation. While business, medical, and moving rates are adjusted based on these studies, the rate for charitable service is legislated by Congress, remaining unchanged due to statutory constraints.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) continues to restrict moving-related mileage deductions, with exceptions only for active duty Armed Forces members relocating under military orders or for intelligence community members moving post-2026 assignments. Image 2

For charitable vehicle use, taxpayers who itemize deductions have the option to deduct out-of-pocket expenses directly linked to vehicle use, such as gasoline and oil. However, broader vehicle upkeep costs, including repairs, maintenance, and insurance, are not deductible under this method.

Critical Considerations for Business Vehicle Use: Taxpayers can elect to calculate their vehicular expenses using actual expenses rather than the standard mileage rate. Factors like fluctuating fuel prices and available depreciation incentives, such as bonus depreciation, might make the actual expense method economically advantageous in the year a vehicle is used for business purposes.

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The standard mileage rate is not applicable if you have previously utilized actual expense computations involving Sec. 179, bonus depreciation, or MACRS. Additionally, the business standard mileage rate is disallowed for vehicles used for hire or simultaneously for more than four vehicles.

Business users should note that tolls, parking, and state or local vehicle property taxes attributable to business use can be deducted in addition to the standard mileage rate.

Employer and Employee Dynamics: When employers use the standard mileage method to reimburse employees for business travel, such payments are non-taxable if employees provide sufficient documentation of the travel specifics. As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, employees are now permanently barred from claiming unreimbursed vehicle expenses on federal returns; however, certain individuals, like military reserve members and eligible educators, can still deduct specific employee travel expenses as yearly income adjustments.

Self-Employed and Heavy Vehicles: Self-employed professionals can continue claiming tax deductions related to vehicle use, inclusive of loan interest, discoverable through Schedule C. Larger vehicles, specifically those weighing above 6,000 pounds, offer further tax benefit potential via Section 179 and bonus depreciation allowances.

Should you need expert guidance on selecting the most beneficial deduction method for vehicle-related expenses, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office for a consultative discussion. Image 3

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