Standard Mileage (76¢/mi) vs. Actual Car Expenses Calculator (2026 Tax Year)
A $9,000 stack of gas, repair and insurance receipts does not mean a $9,000 business deduction if half the car's miles were personal. Enter annual and business miles to compare methods, then check the IRS first-year election rule.
Actual costs are generally allocated by business-use percentage. Standard mileage instead uses a fixed rate for eligible business miles. Business parking and tolls may be separate. Neither method turns a personal commute into business travel.
The IRS rate table gives the cents-per-mile amounts. It does not decide whether a particular drive is deductible. Write down why the drive happened before relying on any calculation.
How this worksheet works
This worksheet compares 4,200 × $0.725 plus 5,800 × $0.76 with $9,000 × (10,000 ÷ 16,000). It does not model depreciation limits, interest, lease rules or prior elections. The larger number is only the arithmetic result, not a recommendation.
Worked example
Standard mileage, 10,000 split-year miles
$7,453.00
Actual costs × 62.5% business use
$5,625.00
Keep the records behind the number
For a car you own, you generally must choose standard mileage in its first year of business use if you want to use that method later. Depreciation choices can narrow future options. Check IRS Publication 463 before deciding.
72.5 cents per business mile for January 1 through June 30, 2026; 76 cents for July 1 through December 31, 2026.
Is this a tax deduction or cash back?
A deduction generally reduces taxable income. The amount shown here is not a refund or guaranteed tax savings.
Are my entries uploaded?
No. This worksheet runs in your browser. Download or print a copy if you want to keep it.
Does this worksheet prove my miles to the IRS?
No. Keep underlying dates, destinations, purposes, mileage records and receipts. Ask a qualified tax professional about your facts.
Drive every week?
Milevaro records trips you start with one tap and exports CSV or PDF reports. Every feature is free for 14 days; then $39.99/year or $3.99/month. Existing trips remain viewable and CSV export stays free if you do not subscribe.
Milevaro reports are records of trips logged by the user. They are not IRS-certified and do not guarantee a tax deduction. A deduction lowers taxable income; it is not direct cash back. The estimated deduction is business miles multiplied by a user-set rate and is an estimate, not tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional.