Free template
Free mileage log template for 2026
Log each business trip as it happens. Miles add up by month and by year, and the deduction is estimated at the IRS standard rate.
What is inside
- Log tab Date, from, to, purpose, odometer start and end. Miles calculate, and only trips marked Yes count as business.
- Summary tab Business miles for the year, an estimated deduction, and a month-by-month table.
- Rates tab The IRS 2026 standard mileage rates, with the source named.
How to use it
- Delete the example trip on the first row.
- Record the odometer at the start and end of each trip, and the purpose.
- Mark the trip Yes if it was for business.
- Open the Summary tab at any time to see miles and the estimated deduction. Update the rate each year.
Using it in Google Sheets
- Open Google Sheets and choose File, then Import, then Upload, and pick the downloaded file.
- Choose "Replace spreadsheet" or "Insert new sheet(s)".
- Check the formulas and the dropdown lists after the import. Most carry over, but Google Sheets handles a few functions and formats differently.
Things to watch
- Write it down at the time. A log made on the day is far more believable than one rebuilt in April. Odometer readings are the strongest record.
- Business miles only. Trips between home and a regular workplace are generally commuting, which is not business mileage. Ask your CPA about home-office and mixed trips.
- The rate changes yearly. For 2026 the IRS business rate is 72.5 cents a mile, effective January 1, 2026, per the IRS. Edit the rate cell for another year.
- Standard rate or actual costs. There are two ways to deduct vehicle costs, and the choice has rules. Ask your CPA before the first year you use a vehicle for business.
Questions
What is the IRS mileage rate for 2026?
The IRS set the 2026 business standard mileage rate at 72.5 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2026. The medical rate is 20.5 cents and the charitable rate is 14 cents.
Do I need a mileage log?
If you deduct vehicle use, you need records that support the miles and their business purpose. A log kept at the time is the simplest way. Ask your CPA what you need.
Is the deduction shown exact?
No. It is an estimate at the standard rate. Whether you can use that rate and how much is allowed depends on your situation.
Can I use it in Google Sheets?
Yes. Upload it to Google Sheets and check the Summary formulas after the import.
Want a fuller version with worked examples? See 2026 Schedule C Tax Estimator in the store. This free template stays free either way.
Want more than a template? See 2026 Form 1040 & Schedule C Estimator (Python).
Want every toolkit? The toolkit membership includes all of them, with a lower rate if you pay yearly.
Related: Self-employed tax calculator, Quarterly estimated tax calculator, Tax deduction checklist, or all free templates.
These templates track your own numbers. They are not tax, legal or accounting advice, and MCC Solutions is not a CPA firm. Ask your CPA how rules apply to you.
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