Guides
8 min read
What Is a Contemporaneous Mileage Log? (And Why the IRS Cares)
“Contemporaneous.”
Marcus Johnson
Tax & Compliance Lead
CPA with 12 years specializing in small business tax strategy. Writes about IRS mileage deductions and audit-proof record keeping.
Articles by Marcus
Guides
10 min read
Business vs. Personal Miles: The Gray Areas Nobody Talks About
You’re driving from one client meeting to another. You stop for gas. Then you grab a coffee. While you’re out, you swing by the dry cleaner to pick up your shirts—it’s right there, might as well.
Guides
10 min read
Business vs. Personal Kilometres: The Gray Areas Nobody Talks About
You’re a consultant driving from a client meeting in Mississauga to another in downtown Toronto. On the way, you stop for gas at the Esso. Then you grab a double-double at Tim Hortons. While you’re...
Guides
9 min read
I'm a W-2 Employee Who Drives for Work. Can I Deduct Anything?
You’re an outside sales rep. You drive 400 miles a week visiting clients in your territory, all in your own car. Your employer pays your salary but doesn’t reimburse mileage.
Guides
10 min read
I'm a Salaried Employee in Canada Who Drives for Work. Can I Deduct Anything?
Sarah is a project manager for a mid-size engineering firm in Calgary. She drives her own car to client sites, subcontractor meetings, and project inspections — easily 15,000 kilometres a year beyo...
Tax tips
7 min read
Featured
CRA Mileage Rates 2020–2026: Complete History & How to Claim
Every year, the Canada Revenue Agency publishes per-kilometre rates that determine how much you can deduct — or how much your employer can reimburse you tax-free — for business driving. Here’s the ...
Guides
10 min read
The Mileage Log the IRS Actually Wants (With Examples)
You tracked your miles all year. You’re pretty sure your records are “fine.” Then you get an audit notice, and suddenly you’re staring at your spreadsheet wondering if “drove to client” is specific...
Guides
9 min read
Free Mileage Tracking Apps: What You Actually Get (And What You Don't)
You download a mileage tracking app. It says “free.” You start logging trips. Everything seems great.
Guides
10 min read
The Mileage Log the CRA Actually Wants (With Examples)
A plumber in Edmonton got reviewed by the CRA in 2024. He’d driven 38,000 kilometres that year and claimed 28,000 of them as business. He had a spreadsheet. It had monthly totals, a column that sai...
Guides
10 min read
Construction Site Mileage: When Your "Commute" is Actually Deductible
Mike is an electrician in the suburbs of Dallas. Every morning he drives 60 miles to whatever job site the foreman assigned him. Every evening, 60 miles back. For years, he assumed it was a commute...
Guides
10 min read
Construction Site Mileage in Canada: When Your "Commute" is Actually Deductible
Dave is an electrician in the suburbs of Toronto. Every morning he drives 95 kilometres to whatever job site the foreman assigned him. Every evening, 95 km back. For years, he assumed it was a comm...
Guides
9 min read
Multi-App Delivery Driver: Your Mileage is More Complicated Than You Think
Say you run three delivery apps on a typical Saturday shift. DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Instacart all pinging at once. You take a DoorDash order, then an Uber Eats order along the way, then finish wi...
Guides
8 min read
Your First vs. Last Trip of the Day: Why These Miles Usually Aren't Deductible
Say you’re a freelance graphic designer. You work from home most days, but twice a week you drive to client meetings. You figure all that driving is deductible.
Tax tips
10 min read
I Just Got an IRS Letter About My Mileage Deduction. Now What?
You opened your mailbox, and there it is. An envelope from the Internal Revenue Service. Your stomach drops. You flip it over, tear it open, and see words like “examination” and “substantiation” an...
Guides
8 min read
Does DoorDash Actually Track All My Miles? (Spoiler: No)
Say you drive for DoorDash every evening after your day job. You work 25 hours a week, keep every receipt, and diligently check your DoorDash mileage summary at tax time.
Tax tips
5 min read
Featured
2026 IRS Mileage Rate: 72.5 Cents Per Mile (Up 2.5 Cents)
The IRS just dropped the numbers for 2026, and honestly? I’m a little surprised. At 72.5 cents per mile, we’re looking at the highest standard mileage rate ever. That’s a 2.5-cent jump from last ye...
