If you drive for Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Instacart, the IRS lets you deduct your car one of two ways: the standard mileage rate or your actual expenses. Pick the wrong one and you can leave thousands of dollars in deductions on the table. This standard mileage vs actual expenses calculator compares both using your own numbers. For 2026 there is a twist: the IRS raised the standard rate from 72.5 cents to 76 cents per mile on July 1, so your miles are worth different amounts depending on when you drove them. Enter your miles and car costs below to see which method gives you the bigger deduction, and roughly how much tax it saves.
Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses
Enter your miles and what your car really cost you this year. We’ll show which IRS method gives you the bigger 2026 deduction and roughly how much tax that saves.
1. Your miles
2. What your car cost you this year (all miles, not just business)
How it adds up
| Jan–Jun business miles × 72.5¢ | $0 |
| Jul–Dec business miles × 76¢ | $0 |
| Standard mileage deduction | $0 |
| Total car costs for the year | $0 |
| × business-use percentage | 0% |
| Actual expenses deduction | $0 |
- Own your car? To use standard mileage at all, you must use it in the first year the car is used for business. After that, you can switch between methods year to year (with some depreciation limits).
- Lease your car? If you start with standard mileage, you must stick with it for the entire lease, including renewals.
- Deductible either way: business parking and tolls, and, if you’re self-employed, the business share of your car-loan interest. Add those on top of whichever method you choose.
- Either way, you need a mileage log with dates. With the 2026 rate split, that matters more than ever.
Put your numbers to work
Estimate for planning only, not tax advice. Uses the 2026 IRS business standard mileage rates (72.5¢/mi Jan–Jun, 76¢/mi Jul–Dec). Actual-expense depreciation is subject to IRS limits; confirm your numbers with tax software or a CPA. See all calculators.
Standard mileage vs actual expenses: common questions
Is standard mileage or actual expenses better for gig drivers?
For most rideshare and delivery drivers, standard mileage wins. High-mileage drivers in fuel-efficient or paid-off cars usually spend far less per mile than the IRS rate of 72.5 to 76 cents. Actual expenses tend to win for expensive or newer vehicles, high repair or insurance costs, or a car used almost entirely for business.
What is the 2026 IRS standard mileage rate?
For 2026 the business rate is 72.5 cents per mile for miles driven January 1 through June 30, and 76 cents per mile from July 1 through December 31. The IRS raised it midyear because of higher fuel costs. Split your mileage log by date so each half of the year gets the right rate.
Can I switch between standard mileage and actual expenses?
Sometimes. If you own your car, you must use standard mileage in the first year it is used for business to keep that option; after that you can generally switch year to year, with depreciation limits. If you start with actual expenses, you cannot switch that car to standard mileage later. Leased cars on standard mileage must stay with it for the whole lease.