Your Mileage Deduction Changed Midyear. Are Your Records Ready?

[William Thompson]

I’m surprised more real estate investors aren’t talking about this.

The business mileage rate increased to 76 cents per mile starting July 1, 2026. That means investors using the standard mileage method now have two different rates to track for the same year.

But here’s the part people miss:

The rate means nothing if your records are sloppy.

Property visits, supply runs, contractor meetings, and other legitimate business trips may qualify, but you still need the date, mileage, destination, and business purpose documented.

A deduction without documentation is just a number you may have trouble defending later.

How many investors here are actually keeping a mileage log, and how many are trying to rebuild it at tax time?