GUIDE

How do I track mileage for taxes when I’m self-employed?

Requirements for a Valid Log

A valid IRS mileage log must record the date, destination, business miles, and business purpose for every trip. To ensure accuracy, you should update your records at least weekly.

This information is for general purposes and is not tax advice.

Standard Mileage Rates

For 2025, the IRS standard mileage rate is 70 cents per mile. You must elect the standard mileage rate in the first year a car is used for business.

Looking ahead, the IRS 2026 rate is 72.5 cents per mile. For Canadian taxpayers, the 2025 CRA rate is $0.72/km for the first 5,000 km and $0.66/km thereafter.

Automating Your Mileage Log

Manual logging is prone to error. TradesTimer uses background GPS to automatically detect 'stops' (jobsites) and 'trips' (driving between them).

It records the distance for every trip, providing a rounded mileage log you can export at tax time. There are no timers to start or stop and no jobsites to pre-configure.

FAQ

How often should I update my mileage log?

The IRS recommends keeping logs contemporaneously, which means updating them at least weekly.

Do I need to manually track every trip in TradesTimer?

No, the app uses background GPS to automatically detect trips and record their distance.

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Last updated 2026-06-08.