Can you deduct car washes if you choose the standard mileage

[MichaelDC · Accepted solution]

No. The only additional expenses allowed with standard mileage (53.5 cents/mile) is parking and tolls. You are referring to the Actual Expenses method of deducting your car for work. It is based on all the expenses you actually incur in the operation of your vehicle. It includes things like:

·         gas purchases

·         repairs

·         oil changes

·         tire purchases

·         car washes

·         insurance

·         car lease

·         and even vehicle depreciation

However, you can only claim the percentage of expenses that apply to the business use of your vehicle. To compute this, you must know how many miles you drove for business purposes and how much you drove for personal reasons.

TurboTax will walk your through this method. Please feel free to post any additional details or questions in the comment section.

[Nollis]

Actual Expenses is what i would file if i do rideshare service?

and also i would like is there a place in person that could explain in person?

i live in tampa Fl.

[Vanessa A]

No.  If you take milage you cannot deduct car washes.  Car washes are a part of maintenance which is part of the milage expense. 

[Vanessa A]

Yes, you would have to use actual expenses.

If you would like live help you can upgrade to TurboTax live.  This would not be in person, but on the phone with a live agent. 

How do I get TurboTax Live? - Community

[Nollis]

so deducting miles and miles expenses are completely different things?

[Vanessa A]

It's a one or the other type of thing.  You can either deduct your expenses (gas, car washes, oil changes, etc) or you can just take the mileage deduction. You cannot take both. 

[vivdahl]

can i deduct air freshener or glass cleaner wipes

[MaryK4]

If you deduct the standard mileage, you would not add on car washes and such- but if you use actual expenses, they may be ordinary and necessary business expenses.

@vivdahl