Mileage Deductions - delivering papers

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
February 6, 2020
1 reply
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I currently deliver papers and was planning on deducting mileage for my driving instead of itemizing. I drive about 30/31 miles from first paper drop to last drop. I drive an additional 11 miles from home to where I pick up my papers and from my last drop to home.

Am I allowed to claim all 41/42 miles per night or do I claim 30?

I do paperwork at home, the business side of things....figuring out nightly draws and such but most of my time is spent delivering.

HelenC12

Level 15

Since you are self-employed, ALL mileage is deductible for you when driven for business purposes. You are allowed the 41/42 miles per night. Make sure you keep a log of miles driven and for what purpose.

Your home is your "office" so anytime you drive somewhere for business related purposes, it's deductible.
For example: depositing your income check to bank and driving from your "home office" to first paper delivery.
Where to enter your expenses, click here.
Other Self-employed expenses you may be able to deduct, click here.

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AmeliesUncle

Level 15

@HelenC12 wrote:
Since you are self-employed, ALL mileage is deductible for you when driven for business purposes.

It is not automatic. In order for all mileage to be deductible (including to and from your home), your home must be the "Principal Place of Business".

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-99-7.pdf#page=6

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p587.pdf#page=3

jac909Author

Level 2

If I do my daily paperwork, receive my paycheck ect. weekly to my home would that make it my principal place of business or would my car be it since I deliver out of it?

Thanks for taking the time to respond.