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

2026 IRS Mileage Rates: What Business Owners Should Know

The Internal Revenue Service has unveiled the inflation-adjusted 2026 optional standard mileage rates, crucial for those operating vehicles for business, charitable, medical, or moving reasons. This annual update reflects the current economic landscape, helping small businesses—like the ones we support at Get Balanced CPA—optimize tax benefits effectively.

Commencing January 1, 2026, the standard mileage rates will be as follows for vehicle usage, encompassing cars, vans, pickups, or panel trucks:

  • 72.5 cents per mile for business-related travel—up from 70 cents per mile in 2025. This increase accounts for a 35-cent-per-mile depreciation consideration.

  • 20.5 cents per mile for medical purposes and certain moving expenses, a slight decrease from the 21 cents in 2025, reflecting variable operating costs.

  • 14 cents per mile for activities supporting charitable organizations—this rate remains unchanged due to its statutory basis.

Image 3

These adjustments derive from comprehensive studies of automotive operating expenses. The business mileage rate reflects both fixed and variable costs, whereas only variable costs influence medical and moving rates. The charitable mileage rate, meanwhile, is fixed by Congress and has been steady at 14 cents per mile, transcending two and a half decades.

Due to the OBBBA's provisions, moving-related mileage deductions are broadly disallowed. Exceptions apply for active-duty Armed Forces personnel and specific intelligence community members facing reassignment-induced relocations in 2026 onwards.

Regarding charitable service travel, taxpayers opting out of the 14-cent-per-mile standard may alternatively deduct actual out-of-pocket expenses for gas and oil. However, costs for regular maintenance, repairs, depreciation, registration, tires, or insurance do not qualify as deductions.

Key Considerations for Business Vehicle Usage: Taxpayers might prefer calculating the precise expenses associated with vehicle use over standard mileage rates. This method is advantageous due to fluctuating fuel prices and potential benefits from bonus depreciation or increased depreciation limits for passenger vehicles. It’s noteworthy that after the full bonus depreciation rate dwindled post-2022, it experienced phased adjustments, ultimately being reinstated to 100% for the end of 2025 onward.

It’s critical to remember that if historical claims utilized actual expense methods involving Sec. 179 or MACRS depreciation, the standard mileage method is off-limits for those vehicles. Use is distinct per vehicle, and the mileage rate isn’t applicable to vehicles hired or more than four at once.

Overlooked aspects for standard mileage rate users include additional deductible costs such as parking, tolls, and state or local property taxes correlating to business use.

Employer-Employee Mileage Reimbursements: Employers offering mileage-based reimbursements tax-free must ensure employees provide thorough documentation—detailing travel time, place, mileage, and purpose.

Image 2

Employee Considerations: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act excludes these as deductible expenses until 2025, with the OBBBA cementing this permanently. Exceptions remain for reserve military members, certain artists, educators, and fee-basis government officials.

Self-Employed Insights: Independent professionals can still leverage vehicle usage deductions. Whether employing standard mileage rates or exact cost models, they’re also eligible to deduct business-related auto loan interest.

Depreciation for Heavy SUVs: For “heavy” SUVs exceeding 6,000 pounds, depreciation caps via luxury vehicle rules don’t apply. Full deductions, combining the Section 179 expense (up to $32,000 for 2026) and bonus depreciation, offer substantial savings. Yet, these vehicles should weigh under 14,000 pounds, and selling them within the 5-year window dictates partial depreciation recapture.

For bespoke advice on optimizing vehicle-based deductions and maintaining necessary documentation, reach out to our office. At Get Balanced CPA, led by Sam Faulkner, we aim to streamline your financial processes, ensuring clarity and financial empowerment.

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 .

Social Media

Location

2100 Westshore Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30041
Get Balanced CPA We love Chat!
Please feel free to use our Ai powered chat assistant or click on the Contact button below to contact us.
Please fill out the form and our team will get back to you shortly The form was sent successfully