Can these be deducted under the standard mileage rule?

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
March 26, 2026
1 reply
59 views

Can someone please help me and clarify some information I work for Uber and Instacart as independent contractor and Im confused about the following items whether it can be deducted or not ? Can these following item be deducted under the standard mileage deduction rules I’m very confused because some people say yes and some people said no so I’m asking the true expert here. First of all can

air refreshener be deduct under the standard mileage??

and what about car wash membership??

what about supply like foam cleaning supply to clean Your car seat??

can be deducted and what cannot be deducted under the standard mileage. Can someone please explain to me clearly ??

some reference can be great also

DavidD66

Level 15

Car washes are generally covered by the standard mileage rate deduction; therefore, thy and can't be claimed as a separate expense if you are using the standard mileage deduction. The IRS standard mileage rate is designed to cover all vehicle operating costs—including fuel, maintenance, repairs, tires, and cleaning—meaning you cannot deduct car washes separately if you use this method. I would say you can deduct air freshener. Also if your vehicle requires cleaning specific to driving for Uber (like a customer getting sick in your car) I would say that's deductible since it's not a part of the normal operating of your vehicle.

For more information see the following TurboTax articles:

Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses: Getting the Biggest Tax Deduction

Tax Tips for Uber, Lyft, and Other Car Sharing Drivers

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