Learning Center
We keep you up to date on the latest tax changes and news in the industry.

2026 Mileage Rates Unveiled: Key Changes and Insights

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced the inflation-adjusted 2026 optional standard mileage rates. These rates are crucial in calculating the deductible costs of vehicle use for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes, affecting entrepreneurs and small business owners across the board.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the standard mileage rates are as follows:

  • Business Use: 72.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, incorporating a 35-cent-per-mile depreciation component. This is an increase from the 70 cents per mile rate in 2025.

  • Medical and Moving Purposes: 20.5 cents per mile, a slight decrease from 21 cents in 2025.

  • Charitable Organizations: The rate remains unchanged at 14 cents per mile, as it is statutorily set and requires Congressional action for any alteration.

Image 3

The determination of these rates stems from an annual study assessing the fixed and variable costs associated with operating a vehicle. It's crucial for businesses to understand that moving-related mileage expenses are generally nondeductible due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), with few exceptions. These exceptions include active-duty Armed Forces members ordered to relocate and, from 2026 onward, certain intelligence community members due to assignment changes.

When using a personal vehicle for charitable purposes, itemizers may opt to deduct actual out-of-pocket expenses like gas and oil, though repairs, maintenance, and registration fees do not qualify.

Considerations for Business Vehicle Use:

Taxpayers have the choice between the standard mileage rate and the actual expenses method for calculating vehicle expenses. With fluctuating fuel costs and potential bonus depreciation, opting for actual expenses could be beneficial, particularly in the first year of service under current depreciation laws. However, prior use of the actual method disallows later adoption of the standard mileage rate.

Image 2

Don't Overlook Additional Deductions: Parking fees, tolls, and vehicle-related state and local property taxes attributable to business use are deductible alongside the mileage rate, frequently overlooked by business owners.

Reimbursing Employees: Using the standard mileage allowance for reimbursement keeps payments tax-free when documented properly.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) eliminated employee business expenses as an itemized deduction through 2025, a status made permanent by the OBBBA, with exceptions for select professionals.

Image 1

Self-employed Individuals can deduct business vehicle use, with loan interest also deductible.

Write-offs for Heavy SUVs: SUVs over 6,000 pounds qualify for generous write-offs, utilizing both Section 179 and bonus depreciation, with a gross unloaded vehicle weight cap of 14,000 pounds. Be cautious of potential recapture if the vehicle is disposed of within five years.

Thompson-Smith CPA, LLC, led by experienced CPA Georgia Smith, is dedicated to providing clarity on mileage deductions and required documentation. Our Fort Lauderdale-based firm is ready to assist.

Share this article...

Want tax & accounting tips and insights?

Sign up for our newsletter.

I confirm this is a service inquiry and not an advertising message or solicitation. By clicking “Submit”, I acknowledge and agree to the creation of an account and to the and .
Thompson-Smith CPA We'd love to chat!
Please feel free to use our Ai powered chat assistant or contact us using the buttons below.
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully