Whether you need to record mileage depends on your employment status and your intention to claim tax deductions or reimbursements. In 2026, the IRS has set the standard business mileage rate at 72.5 cents per mile. If you are self-employed, a freelancer, or a small business owner, you must maintain a "contemporaneous log" to deduct the cost of using your personal vehicle for business purposes (e.g., meeting clients, traveling between job sites, or running business errands). This log must include the date, destination, business purpose, and the number of miles driven. Commuting from your home to a regular office is not deductible. If you are a W-2 employee, you may not be able to claim a federal tax deduction for unreimbursed mileage due to current tax laws, but many employers require a detailed mileage report to reimburse you directly under an "accountable plan." In 2026, using GPS-based mileage tracking apps like MileIQ or Hurdlr is considered the industry standard for audit protection, as the IRS and local tax authorities increasingly reject manual, "estimated" logs in favor of precise digital records.