Can I Claim My Car Expenses on My Taxes
Standard Mileage Rates 2021, 2022
Don't like reading Tax Mumbo Jumbo? We hear you! It can be complicated to keep up with the latest tax deductions and car mileage rates.
Simply prepare and e-File your 2021 Tax Return on eFile.com and the eFile app will not only determine whether or not you can deduct your mileage, it will also calculate and report the deductible mileage on your return. To learn more, find the details and explanations about deductible mileage rates and expenses below. Then, let's go and do your 2021 Taxes. We make Taxes great simple again for you .
Deduct Mileage for Work
For 2021 Tax Returns, you can deduct expenses that relate to your work as an employee if any of the following apply to you:
- Qualified performing artist
- Fee-basis state or local government official
- Armed forces reservist
- Impairment-related work expenses
- Your employer entered code "L" for box 12 of your W-2
Alternatively, if you are self-employed or an independent contractor and use your vehicle for work, you can deduct business miles. This is instead reported on Schedule C for you when you file on eFile.com.
For a vehicle you own or lease, you can deduct either the actual expenses or the standard rate per mile driven. If the car is leased and you use the standard mileage rates, you must use the standard rates for the entire life of the lease. If you itemize the deductions, you can deduct these amounts from your taxable income. Find out what business miles you can deduct from your income. These mileage rates are optional and you can use the actual vehicle expenses instead of the standard mileage rate as your deduction if you kept detailed records (such as a mileage log).
Optional Standard Deductible Car Rates Per Mile
Below are the optional standard tax deductible IRS mileage rates for the use of your car, van, pickup truck, or panel truck for Tax Years 2007-2021. We will add the 2022 mileage rates when the IRS releases them. The rates are categorized into Business, Medical or Moving expenses, and Service or Charity expenses at a currency rate of cents-per-mile. If you need to prepare and file a previous year tax return, find and download tax forms for previous tax years.
Tax Year
Business
Medical, Move
Service, Charity
2021 Current Tax Returns due 4/15/2022
56 cents
16 cents
14 cents
2022 Tax Returns due in 2023
To be
determined
TBD
TBD
2020
57.5 cents
17 cents
14 cents
2019
58 cents
20 cents
14 cents
2018
54.5 cents
18 cents
14 cents
2017
53.5 cents
17 cents
14 cents
2016
54 cents
19 cents
14 cents
2015
57.5 cents
23 cents
14 cents
2014
56 cents
23.5 cents
14 cents
2013
56.5 cents
24 cents
14 cents
2012
55.5 cents
23 cents
14 cents
2011
51 cents (Jan. 1 - June 30); 55.5 cents (July 1 - Dec. 31)
19 cents (Jan. 1 - June 30); 23.5 cents (July 1 - Dec. 31)
14 cents
2010
50 cents
16.5 cents
14 cents
2009
55 cents
24 cents
14 cents
2008
50.5 cents (Jan. 1 - June 30); 58.5 (July 1 - Dec. 31)
19 cents (Jan. 1 - June 30); 27 cents (July 1 - Dec. 31)
14 cents
2007
48.5 cents
20 cents
14 cents
Additional Vehicle Use Deductions: In addition to the standard mileage rates, you may deduct the costs of tolls and parking while using your vehicle for one of the approved purposes - these are separate deductions. However, if you have claimed vehicle depreciation, you may not deduct tolls and parking fees.
Car Allowance and Mileage Reimbursement
Sometimes, an employer may offer an allowance or reimbursement if you use your vehicle for work. This can be done in two ways:
- Your employer pays you a vehicle allowance with your paycheck - usually a flat rate. This is considered taxable income and part of your gross pay.
- Your employer reimburses your mileage. If the employer follows the exact mileage rates based on a log kept by you as an employee, this may not be taxable.
Standard Mileage Rate Restrictions: The standard mileage rates may not be used for vehicles used as equipment, for a vehicle which has been claimed for a Section 179 deduction, or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. You cannot use the standard mileage rates if you claim vehicle depreciation under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS). Instead, a portion of the rate is applied, equaling 26 cents-per-mile for 2021, down one cent from 2020.
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile; the standard rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Runzheimer International, an independent contractor, conducted the study for the IRS. The mileage rate for charitable miles is set by law.
Mileage rates are not the extent of your deductible expenses for the business use of your car. Remember to include parking and tolls!
Vehicle Depreciation
Any equipment purchased specifically for your business is considered a capital asset. Because of this, vehicles are not the only business property which can be depreciated on a tax return; this also includes property like buildings, tools, and furniture. The property or asset must be owned by you, used with the intent to produce income for your business, have a determinable useful life, and it must last or be expected to last more than one year.
This can be property that is used partially for business and partially personal use; for example, if you use your personal vehicle to travel for business. Depreciation begins when the property is placed into service and is claimed each year until it is either retired from service or you have fully recovered the cost or other basis - whichever comes first.
There are a few methods to depreciating property; eFile.com will help you select the method that benefits you the most. Simply answer some questions regarding your vehicle or other property and we will help you select how you should depreciate it. Depreciation is reported on Form 4562 - eFileIT on eFile.com.
To learn more about depreciation, see IRS Publication 946, How To Depreciate Property.
Deductible Business Miles
Deductible business use of your car does not cover normal commuting to your usual place of work. Qualified deductible business use includes:
- Driving to a business meeting away from your usual workplace
- Meeting clients or customers
- Getting from your home to a temporary workplace
- Getting from your regular workplace to a second workplace for the same job or business.
If you use your car only for your job or business, you may deduct all of the miles driven or actual vehicle expenses. But if you also use the car for other purposes, you can only deduct the portion used for business purposes.
Normal commuting from your home to your regular workplace and back is not deductible. You may deduct business mileage only if you are traveling to and from a temporary work location, from one work location to another, to meet with a client, to a conference, etc.
Medical Transportation Expenses
Expenses for primary transportation to medical care facilities that qualify as medical expenses are:
- Actual fees or fares for a taxi, bus, train, or ambulance
- Out-of-pocket expenses for using your own car or the standard mileage rate
- Fees for tolls and parking.
Actual Car or Vehicle Expenses You Can Deduct
Instead of using the standard mileage rates, you may use the actual costs of operating your car. You will need to keep accurate records. Qualified expenses for this purpose include gasoline, oil, tires, repairs, insurance, tolls, parking, garage fees, registration fees, lease payments, and depreciation licenses.
Keep records of your deductible mileage each month with a simple journal or mileage log. For your convenience, we have prepared a downloadable mileage log which you can print and fill out each month. You can use your mileage information to help you complete and e-File your 2021 Tax Return on eFile.com; the eFile app will determine whether or not you can deduct your mileage based on your answers to several simple questions. Then, the app will calculate your mileage rate for you and report it on your return.
Have more questions about deductible mileage rates and expenses? Ask an eFile.com Taxpert your tax questions now!
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Can I Claim My Car Expenses on My Taxes
Source: https://www.efile.com/tax-deduction/mileage-rates/
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