2026 Mileage Rates Unveiled: Key Insights for Taxpayers

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has unveiled the updated 2026 inflation-adjusted optional standard mileage rates, crucial for taxpayers calculating deductible car operating costs for business, medical, charitable, or moving purposes.

Effective January 1, 2026, the revised standard mileage rates for using an automobile, including vans and trucks, are as follows:

  • 72.5 cents per mile for business driving, reflecting a 35-cent-per-mile depreciation allocation. This marks an increase from the 70 cents per mile rate of 2025.

  • 20.5 cents per mile for medical purposes and some moving expenses, a slight decrease from 21 cents in 2025.

  • A constant 14 cents per mile for services rendered to charitable organizations.

The underlying business standard mileage rate is drawn from a comprehensive annual review of both fixed and variable car operation costs. Rates for medical and moving categories are similarly informed by variable cost studies. Notably, the charitable rate is legislatively set, remaining unchanged for over 25 years, except by Congressional amendment.

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The OBBBA's permanent disallowance of moving-related mileage expenses applies primarily, except to (1) active-duty Armed Forces personnel responding to relocation orders, and (2) intelligence community members undertaking required job relocations from 2026 onward.

For charitable work, personal vehicle users may opt for deducting actual out-of-pocket vehicle expenses instead of mileage rates, covering fuel and oil costs but excluding maintenance and registration fees.

Vehicle Usage Considerations for Businesses – Taxpayers are permitted to calculate the real costs of business vehicle use over standard mileage rates. The volatile fuel prices, in conjunction with the phased-in bonus depreciation, may make the actual expense method more lucrative during the vehicle's inaugural business service year. Though the 100% bonus depreciation saw a reduction post-2022, it temporarily reinstated to cover all of 2025.

Previously employed real method vehicles using Sec. 179 or other depreciation are not eligible for standard mileage rates in subsequent fiscal years, applied individually per vehicle. Additionally, the business mileage rate cannot be used for vehicles hired or exceeding a simultaneous four-vehicle usage.

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A lesser-known but critical deduction includes parking and toll charges, alongside state and local property taxes when using the standard mileage deduction.

Employer Reimbursements – Employer reimbursements remain tax-exempt when using standard mileage rates, assuming substantiation of travel details by the employee.

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Employee Vehicle Expenditures - According to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, employee business expense deductions are unavailable through 2025 due to the OBBBA. Consequently, employees can no longer itemize business-related auto uses from 2017 onwards. However, certain public servants and artists retain deductible allowances for unreimbursed travel expenses.

Eligible educators, conversely, may either adjust for travel costs on Sch. 1 of Form 1040 or as an itemized deduction on Sch. A, reflective of regulatory frameworks until 2026.

Self-Employed Individuals – Continue to note deductible business vehicle usage despite their chosen mileage calculation method via Schedule C. Moreover, auto loan interest tied to business use is deductible.

Accelerated Depreciation for Heavy SUVs – Heavier SUVs, exceeding 6,000 pounds, sidestep luxury auto depreciation limits. Taxpayers can leverage both Section 179 and bonus depreciations on these, subject to a 14,000 pounds ceiling. The Section 179 deduction is crucially considered prior to bonus depreciation.

Business vehicles, acknowledged as 5-year property, risk recapture of the Section 179 deduction upon premature disposal. It’s pivotal that one contemplates the long-term implications of tapping into significant deduction allowances today.

Consult with us for vehicular business deduction optimizations or any further documentation queries.

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