The standard mileage rate changes periodically and is published by the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If you elect to use the standard mileage rate
for a vehicle that you own, you must use it the first year the vehicle is
available for use. After that year, you can use either actual expenses or the
standard mileage rate. If you elect to use the standard mileage rate for a
vehicle that you lease, you have to use it for the entire lease term.
Depreciation
The standard mileage rate includes an allowance for depreciation, so if you
decide to use it, you cannot take depreciation or the special depreciation
allowance.
Exceptions to Using Standard Mileage Rate
There are some cases in which you cannot use the standard mileage rate. It
cannot be used for cars for hire, such as taxis, or when you use five or more
vehicles at the same time in your business. You are not considered to be using
them at the same time if you alternate between vehicles. A rural mail carrier
who receives a qualified reimbursement cannot use the standard mileage rate. And,
if you are using a vehicle provided by your employer, you cannot use the
standard mileage rate.
Expenses in Addition to the Standard Mileage Rate
You can deduct business-related parking fees and tolls in addition to the
standard mileage rate, except for parking at your regular place of work, which
is considered part of your nondeductible commuting expense.
Actual Expenses
If you use actual expenses for the use of your vehicle, you can include gas,
oil, repairs, tires, insurance, licenses and registration fees, garage rent,
parking and tolls, and lease payments or depreciation.
Depreciation
There are basically three ways to recover the cost of your own vehicle for
tax purposes, when you use the vehicle for business purposes: