08/07/2026
The IRS just quietly handed business owners a little extra money — and most people don't even know it yet. 🚗
Picture this: someone sits down across from me in July, hands me their mileage log, and says, "I drove about 18,000 miles for business this year." Half of those miles happened before July 1st. Half happened after. Sounds simple, right?
Here's the thing — it's NOT the same rate for all 18,000 miles anymore.
Effective July 1, 2025, the IRS increased the standard business mileage rate from 72.5¢ to 76¢ per mile. That's a 3.5-cent jump mid-year. For our driver with 9,000 miles in each half of the year, that's a difference of $315 in additional deductions — just from knowing the rate changed and tracking it correctly.
Now multiply that across a fleet. Or a sales rep logging 30,000+ miles a year. Suddenly "a few cents" becomes a very real conversation about money left on the table.
The IRS doesn't send you a reminder. They don't tap you on the shoulder and say, "Hey, update your log." They just post it — and move on.
This is exactly why mileage tracking isn't just an accounting chore. It's a tax strategy. And mid-year rate changes mean your records need to reflect TWO separate periods: January 1–June 30 at 72.5¢, and July 1–December 31 at 76¢.
If you're using a flat rate all year, you're either under-deducting or creating an error. Neither is a good look.
If you have a vehicle you use for business — even partially — this update affects your 2026 return. Let's make sure you're capturing every cent.
Book a consultation with me and let's review your vehicle expense strategy before the year gets away from us.