Mileage Deduction for Driving to Meet Contractors at My STR
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Trips to your STR to meet a contractor — for a routine repair, a major renovation, or just to let someone in — may be deductible mileage. Contractor coordination is a core property management activity, and mileage for trips to manage or maintain a rental may be deductible at the IRS standard rate (72.5¢/mile through June 30, 2026; 76¢ from July 1). The catch: IRS Publication 527 treats travel between your home and a rental as commuting unless your home is your principal place of business, so confirm with your CPA which of your trips qualify.
When Contractor Meeting Mileage Can Be Deductible
Under IRC §162(a), transportation expenses incurred in carrying on a trade or business are deductible. Meeting contractors at your rental property is a central part of running an STR business — maintenance, repairs, and improvements are what keep the property operational and bookable.
Your mileage to meet them can be a business expense too, but where you start matters. A trip from another business location, such as a second rental or a supply store, is treated differently from a trip that starts at home, which Publication 527 generally treats as commuting unless your home is your principal place of business.
An STR owner doing a kitchen renovation might make 20+ trips to the property over two months for contractor check-ins. If those trips qualify, 25 miles round-trip per visit × 20 visits = 500 miles × $0.725 = $362 at the first-half-2026 rate. Whether they qualify, and whether mileage tied to an improvement is deducted or added to its cost, is a question for your CPA.
Contractor Types That Count as a Business Purpose
The IRS doesn't distinguish between types of contractors when it comes to your mileage to meet them. Meeting any service provider working on your STR property is a business purpose for the trip (the commuting rule above still applies to the leg from home):
Maintenance and Repair Contractors
- Plumbers (leaks, fixture replacement, drain clogs)
- Electricians (outlet issues, wiring, lighting)
- HVAC technicians (heating, cooling, filters)
- Appliance repair technicians
- Locksmith or smart lock installers
- General handyman for miscellaneous repairs
Improvement and Renovation Contractors
- Painters (interior and exterior)
- Flooring installers
- Kitchen or bathroom remodelers
- Landscapers and lawn service
- Pool service and repair
- Roofers, gutter cleaners, window washers
Inspection and Administrative Professionals
- Property inspectors
- Appraisers
- STR permit inspectors
- Insurance adjusters (if you need to be present)
When logging contractor meeting mileage, include the contractor's name and the nature of the work in your business purpose note: "Met with Mike's Plumbing — hot water heater replacement at [property address]." This level of detail is far stronger than "met contractor" and directly corroborates the contractor invoice you should have on file.
Log Both the Invoice and the Trip
Contractor work often involves two records: the contractor's fee (a maintenance or repair expense, or part of an improvement) and your mileage to facilitate the work. Many hosts track the contractor invoice carefully but forget to log the mileage to meet them. Log both, so you and your CPA can decide what qualifies.
For a complete list of all deductible STR expenses beyond mileage, see our Short-Term Rental Tax Deductions 2026: The Complete Guide → and 2026 STR deductions checklist.
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Documentation Requirements
Under IRC §274(d), each contractor meeting trip needs a contemporaneous log entry with these five elements:
- Date of the trip
- Origin (where you started)
- Destination (STR property address)
- Miles driven
- Business purpose (contractor name and work description)
Pair your mileage log entries with the contractor's invoice or work order for that date. This creates a two-document corroboration that is very difficult for the IRS to dispute — your log says you drove there to meet the plumber; the plumber's dated invoice confirms there was a plumber at that location on that date. For the complete documentation framework, see our mileage log requirements guide.
Whether a contractor visit is for a deductible repair or a capital improvement that gets depreciated affects how the contractor's fee is treated, and it can also affect whether your travel to supervise the work is deducted or added to the improvement's cost. Log the trip either way and let your CPA make that call.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax rules vary based on your specific situation, filing status, entity structure, and jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified CPA or tax professional for guidance on your specific tax situation. IRS rules and thresholds are subject to change — verify current requirements at irs.gov before filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I deduct mileage for driving to meet contractors at my STR?
It can be. Mileage for trips to meet contractors for repairs, maintenance, or renovation may be deductible. IRS Publication 527 treats travel between your home and a rental as commuting unless your home is your principal place of business, so decide with your CPA which of your trips qualify.
What types of contractor visits generate deductible mileage?
Meeting any service provider working on your property can be a business purpose for the trip: plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, roofers, painters, landscapers, cleaners, handymen, inspectors, appraisers, and others. Whether the miles are deductible still depends on the trip; IRS Publication 527 treats travel between your home and a rental as commuting unless your home is your principal place of business.
Can I deduct mileage for a renovation project that lasts several months?
Possibly. Trips to oversee, inspect, or coordinate a renovation can multiply quickly during an active project, but the IRS Publication 527 commuting rule still applies to trips from home, and mileage tied to a capital improvement may belong in the improvement's cost rather than being deducted. Keep proper records and decide with your CPA.