How to Create an IRS Mileage Log

Keep an up-to-date record of your mileage for tax deduction purposes.

The IRS allows you to deduct a certain rate per mile for business, medical, moving and charitable situations for which you use your vehicle. In order to claim this deduction, you must keep a mileage log to prove your claims. For 2011, the rates are $0.51 per mile for business expenses, $0.19 per mile for moving and medical expenses and $0.14 per mile for charitable miles. You can also include the costs of parking and tolls in your deduction.

Instructions

1. Create a column for the date. Each time you drive, you must record the date of the trip.

2. Create a column for the total mileage for the trip. You may want to use two columns for the starting odometer reading and the ending odometer reading, respectively, to make it easier to determine how many miles you drive.

3. Create a column to write down the name of your destination or destinations for the trip. Writing down an address and the name of the destination is sufficient.

4. Create a column for the purpose of your trip. You must be able to document why the trip constitutes a business expense.

5. Create a column for additional expenses like tolls and parking fees. Special charges, like a road or parking toll, can be included as deductions, too.

References

• IRS: IRS Announces 2011 Standard Mileage Rates
• NY Times: Worse Than Keeping a Mileage Log: An I.R.S. Audit
• Liberty Tax: IRS Mileage Allowances