Most contractors leave thousands on the table because they never track their miles. See what your driving is actually worth at the IRS rate.
Your driving
Trips to job sites, the supply house, and between customers all count.
Income tax + 15.3% self-employment tax. 25% is a common ballpark.
Your mileage deduction
10,400
Business miles/yr
$1,820
Est. tax saved
Based on the 2025 IRS standard rate of 70¢/mile. Most contractors never claim this because they don't keep a log — the IRS requires dates, miles, and purpose.
Log every mile automatically — free trialContractors drive constantly — job sites, supply runs, customer visits — and every one of those business miles is deductible at the IRS standard rate. At 70¢ a mile (the 2025 rate), that adds up faster than almost any other write-off. The catch is that the IRS requires a real log: the date, the miles, and the purpose of each trip. That's why so many contractors never claim what they're owed — the deduction is real, but the record-keeping never happens.
How much is the mileage deduction worth?
It depends on your business miles and the IRS standard rate, which was 70¢ per mile in 2025. A contractor who drives 10,000 business miles could deduct about $7,000 — but only with a proper mileage log.
What miles count as business miles?
Driving between job sites, to the supply house, to meet customers, and other work-related trips count. Your regular commute from home to a fixed office generally does not.
What records does the IRS require for mileage?
A contemporaneous log with the date, miles driven, and business purpose of each trip. Reconstructing it from memory at tax time is exactly what gets deductions denied in an audit.
Standard mileage rate or actual expenses?
You can deduct either the standard rate per mile or your actual vehicle costs (gas, repairs, insurance, depreciation). The standard rate is simpler and often wins for contractors — but check with your accountant.
Want the full picture? Read the 2026 contractor tax deductions guide or start a free trial to log miles automatically.