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2026 Mileage Rate Updates: What Businesses Need to Know

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revises the inflation-adjusted standard mileage rates that help taxpayers determine the deductible costs associated with driving vehicles for various purposes—be it business, charitable, or medical. For the upcoming year, beginning January 1, 2026, there are noteworthy changes to these rates that business owners and individuals alike will find crucial.

In 2026, the standard mileage rates for using vehicles such as cars, vans, pickups, or panel trucks are:

  • 72.5 cents per mile for business-driven miles, incorporating a 35-cent-per-mile allocation specifically for depreciation, up from the previous rate of 70 cents per mile in 2025.

  • 20.5 cents per mile for trips made for medical purposes or certain relocation expenses, which is a slight decrease from 21 cents per mile set in 2025.

  • 14 cents per mile when driving in service of charitable organizations.

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The business mileage rate is calculated based on a comprehensive annual analysis of the fixed and variable expenses of operating a vehicle. For medical and relocation purposes, the rate reflects only variable costs. Notably, the mileage rate for charitable purposes is set by law and has remained unchanged at 14 cents per mile for over 25 years, with alterations only possible through Congressional action.

It’s important to consider that the OBBBA has generally disallowed moving-related mileage deductions except under specific conditions, such as those pertinent to Armed Forces members or certain intelligence officers.

Business owners should note that a choice can be made between using the standard mileage rates or actual expense methods to calculate vehicle expenses. The latter might be beneficial during the first year a vehicle is put to business use due to volatile fuel prices, bonus depreciation, and elevated depreciation limits. However, once actual expenses methods are opted for, reverting to standard rates is not permissible for the same vehicle.

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It’s also crucial for business owners to remember that additional expenses like parking fees, tolls, and even state and local property taxes aligned with business vehicle use, can be deducted concurrently with using the standard mileage rate.

If employers reimburse any car-related business expenses for employees using the standard mileage rates, it remains tax-free, provided the employee adequately substantiates the travel's particulars to their employer.

On a related note, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanently nullified employee business expense deductions, though certain exceptions remain for particular professions such as reserve military members and eligible educators.

For self-employed individuals, deducting business vehicle usage remains tangible under either the standard mileage or actual expense methods. Remarkably, should these self-employed persons finance a business vehicle, the interest part of the auto loan is also deductible.

Concerning heavier SUVs, those over 6,000 pounds are eligible for significant tax reliefs like Section 179 within 2026 limits, albeit caution is advised. Given that these are categorized as 5-year property, premature disposal may necessitate recapture and potential adjustments to taxable income.

If you are seeking tailored advice on leveraging vehicle deduction methods for tax efficiency, our office stands ready to offer further insights specifically attuned to your financial landscape.

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