How-To Guide April 6, 2026

How to Track Mileage with DeductFlow

DeductFlow keeps an IRS-compliant mileage log built for short-term rental hosts — no app to install, no background tracking. You log each trip in seconds and DeductFlow does the math. Every mile you drive for your rental is worth up to $0.76 at the 2026 IRS rates ($0.725 Jan–Jun; $0.76 from July 1), applied automatically. Mileage is included with Pro (start a 7-day Pro trial, no card required).

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What This Guide Covers

This guide covers six steps: opening the Mileage page, adding a trip, letting DeductFlow value it at the IRS rate, setting your business-use percentage, importing trips in bulk via CSV, and exporting a CPA-ready report.

Why Mileage Matters for STR Hosts A host who drives 3,000 miles per year for supply runs, maintenance visits, and property management earns a $2,175 deduction at the 2026 rate. Over five years, that's $10,875—real money that requires nothing more than consistent logging.

How Mileage Tracking Works in DeductFlow

  1. 1

    Open the Mileage Page

    Sign in at deductflow.com with Google and open Mileage from your dashboard.

  2. 2

    Add a Trip

    Click Add Trip and enter the starting address, destination, business purpose (supply run, property inspection, cleaner handoff, contractor meeting, etc.), and the property it relates to. DeductFlow calculates the distance between the two addresses for you — tick round trip and it doubles it automatically.

  3. 3

    Deduction Is Calculated Automatically

    Each trip is valued at the IRS standard mileage rate ($0.725/mile for Jan–Jun 2026; $0.76/mile from July 1, 2026), so your running deduction total is always current.

  4. 4

    Set Your Business-Use %

    Save your odometer readings at the start and end of the year and DeductFlow computes the business-use percentage for a vehicle you also drive personally.

  5. 5

    Import in Bulk (Optional)

    Already logging trips elsewhere? Use CSV import on the Mileage page — including exports from apps like Everlance — instead of entering trips one at a time.

  6. 6

    Export for Your CPA

    Your full mileage log flows into the CPA Package PDF and CSV export alongside expenses, depreciation, and active hours.

What Trips Qualify as Deductible Business Mileage

Trip Type Deductible? Example Purpose
Supply runs Yes "Costco – cleaning supplies and toiletries"
Repair / maintenance visit Yes "Property – HVAC repair supervision"
Contractor meeting at property Yes "Property – meet plumber for quote"
Guest issue / lockout Yes "Property – guest locked out, emergency visit"
Property inspection / showing Yes "New property – investor showing"
Banking for STR funds Yes "Bank – deposit STR revenue check"
CPA or tax advisor meeting Yes "CPA office – annual tax review"
Commuting from home to office No Personal commute, not STR-related
Personal errands with minor stop No Primary purpose not STR business

Your Annual Mileage Deduction Estimate

Estimated annual STR miles3,000 miles
2026 IRS standard rate (Jan–Jun)× $0.725/mile
Total mileage deduction$2,175
Tax savings (32% bracket)$696

Estimates only. Actual results depend on miles driven and your tax bracket.

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Log in Real Time, Not at Tax Time The IRS requires "contemporaneous records"—meaning your mileage log should be maintained throughout the year, not reconstructed months later. Logging each trip on the day it happens provides the strongest documentation if your return is examined.

Adding a Trip You Forgot to Log

Forgot to log a trip on the day you drove it? You can still capture it:

  1. On the Mileage page, click Add Trip
  2. Enter the trip's date
  3. Enter your start address and destination address — DeductFlow calculates the distance
  4. Describe the business purpose
  5. Select the property
  6. Save the entry

Keep any supporting documentation for back-dated trips (receipts from the destination, calendar entries showing the appointment) in case of audit.

Prefer hands-off GPS auto-logging? DeductFlow isn't a background-GPS app like Everlance or Hurdlr — and it doesn't need to be. Run one of those for automatic drive capture if you like, then import the results into DeductFlow, where your mileage lives inside your complete STR tax records.
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Never Miss a Deductible Mile Again

DeductFlow makes mileage tracking a 10-second habit. Log each trip in seconds, review your annual total, and hand your CPA a complete report at tax time.

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Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax or legal advice. Consult a qualified CPA regarding your specific deductible business expenses and mileage log requirements.