For most gig drivers, the miles you drive are the biggest tax deduction you’ve got — if you track them. Here’s what yours are worth.

This page contains affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our full disclosure.

Every mile you drive for work chips away at your tax bill. The IRS lets you deduct a set amount for each business mile — and for a busy rideshare or delivery driver, that adds up to thousands of dollars a year. The catch is that you can only claim the miles you can prove, which is why so many drivers leave money on the table.

This calculator shows what your 2026 business miles are worth, and roughly how much they knock off your taxes. One thing to know going in: the IRS raised the mileage rate partway through 2026, so the calculator splits your miles into two periods to get it right.

It runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere or saved.

How the mileage deduction works

Instead of tracking every gas receipt and oil change, most gig workers use the standard mileage rate: you multiply your business miles by a set cents-per-mile figure, and that total comes straight off your taxable income. The rate is meant to cover everything — gas, depreciation, maintenance, insurance, the works.

For 2026 there's a wrinkle: the IRS set the rate at 72.5 cents per mile in January, then raised it to 76 cents starting July 1 because fuel prices climbed. So miles you drove in the first half of the year are worth 72.5 cents each, and miles from July onward are worth 76 cents. The calculator handles both so your number is accurate.

Which miles actually count

Business miles are the miles you drive to do your work: driving to pick up a rider or an order, carrying passengers or deliveries, and driving between requests while you're logged on and working. Those "dead miles" between trips count too, as long as you're actively working.

What doesn't count is personal driving — errands, and generally your commute. Keeping business and personal miles separate is exactly what a mileage log (or a tracking app) is for.

Standard mileage vs. actual expenses

There are two ways to deduct vehicle costs: the standard mileage rate above, or the "actual expense" method, where you track and deduct the real costs of running your car (gas, repairs, insurance, depreciation) times the percentage you use it for business. Most gig workers come out ahead — and save themselves a mountain of receipts — with the standard mileage rate. If you drive a lot, it's usually the bigger deduction too.

Why tracking is everything

The deduction is only as good as your records. If you're audited, the IRS wants a log showing the date, miles, and business purpose of your trips — reconstructing it from memory in April doesn't hold up. A mileage tracker runs in the background, logs every trip automatically, and produces an IRS-ready report, so you claim every mile without lifting a finger. For most drivers it pays for itself many times over in the first month.

Frequently asked questions

Q — How much is the mileage deduction worth for gig workers?
It depends on how much you drive, but a full-time driver can easily rack up 15,000–25,000 business miles a year, which at 2026 rates is a deduction of roughly 11,000 to 19,000 dollars. That can cut your tax bill by thousands. Run your own miles above to see your number.

Q — What is the 2026 IRS mileage rate?
72.5 cents per mile for business miles driven January through June, and 76 cents per mile from July 1 onward, after the IRS raised it mid-year for rising fuel costs.

Q — Do the miles between deliveries or rides count?
Yes. While you're logged on and working, the miles you drive waiting for and traveling to your next request are business miles. Your commute from home before you start working generally is not.

Q — Can I deduct mileage and my actual gas too?
No — you pick one method. The standard mileage rate already includes gas, so you can't also deduct fuel on top of it. You choose either the mileage rate or the actual-expense method for the vehicle.

Q — Do I need to track my miles to claim this?
Yes. You can only deduct miles you can document with a log showing date, distance, and purpose. This is why a tracking app is so useful — it builds that record for you automatically.

Q — Does this calculator store my information?
No. Every calculation happens in your browser. The numbers you enter are never sent to us or saved. See our Privacy Policy.

Q — Is this tax advice?
No. It's an estimate for planning and education only. For your actual return, confirm with a qualified tax professional. See our Disclaimer.

Related calculators

Gig Worker Quarterly Tax Calculator — the deduction here lowers that bill
Gig Driver Take-Home Pay Calculator — what you really earn after costs
Self-Employment Tax Calculator — a closer look at the 15.3%

Estimates for planning purposes only — not tax, legal, or financial advice.