Wondering if you can deduct expenses such as gas, depreciation, and lease payments on your tax returns? If you are a business owner or self-employed individual, you may be able to. If you use your car for both business and personal purposes, the expenses may be split and the deductions will be based on a portion of the mileage used for business.
There are two ways to calculate the car expenses you may be able to deduct. The first method is to calculate and deduct the actual expenses, including depreciation, lease payments, gas and oil, tires, repairs and tune-ups, insurance, and registration fees.
The second is to use the standard mileage rate, which is a rate calculated to represent gas and some of the above factors. In 2021, the standard mileage rate is 56 cents per mile. Taxpayers who want to use the standard mileage rate for a car they own must choose to use this method in the first year the car is available for use in their business.
* This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.
Tip adapted from IRS.gov7
- IRS.gov, February 1, 2021
