Mileage Tracker for Gig Workers: Maximize Your IRS Deduction in 2024

For most gig workers, the mileage deduction is the single largest tax break available. A rideshare driver doing 30,000 miles per year can deduct over $20,000 from their taxable income — saving $5,000–$6,000 in taxes. But only if they kept a proper mileage log.

This guide covers what miles are deductible, the 2024 IRS rate, how to choose between standard mileage and actual expenses, and exactly what records you need.

2024 IRS Standard Mileage Rate

For every business mile you drive, you can deduct 67 cents from your taxable income. This rate covers gas, depreciation, maintenance, insurance — all wrapped into one simple per-mile number.

What Miles Are Deductible for Gig Workers?

As a gig worker, you can deduct miles driven for business purposes:

• Rideshare drivers (Uber, Lyft): Miles while the app is on and you're available for trips, driving to pick up passengers, and driving passengers to their destination. Commuting from home to where you start is NOT deductible.
• Delivery drivers (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart): Miles while on an active delivery, driving between deliveries while the app is on, and driving to pick up orders.
• Amazon Flex: All miles while on a delivery block.
• Resellers/pickers: Miles to estate sales, thrift stores, auctions, storage units, and to deliver sold items.

Standard Mileage Rate vs. Actual Car Expenses

You must choose one method — you can't use both for the same vehicle:

Method	How It Works	Best For
Standard Mileage Rate	67¢ × business miles. No need to track gas, insurance, or repairs.	Most gig workers. Simple and usually higher deduction.
Actual Expenses	Track all car costs (gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation) × business use %.	High-expense vehicles used almost entirely for business.

For most gig workers, the standard mileage rate produces a larger deduction and is far simpler. To use it, you must have used it in the first year you placed the vehicle in business service.

What Your Mileage Log Must Include (IRS Requirements)

The IRS requires a contemporaneous mileage log — meaning recorded at or near the time of the trip, not reconstructed months later. Each entry should include:

• Date of the trip
• Starting and ending odometer readings (or total miles)
• Business purpose of the trip
• Destination or general route

CashData's mileage tracker captures all of this with each entry so your log is always IRS-compliant and audit-ready.

The Mileage Deduction in Real Numbers

Annual Business Miles	Deduction @ 67¢/mi	Tax Saved (25% rate)
10,000 miles	$6,700	$1,675
20,000 miles	$13,400	$3,350
30,000 miles	$20,100	$5,025
40,000 miles	$26,800	$6,700

Common Mileage Tracking Mistakes That Cost Gig Workers Money

1. Not tracking at all — The #1 mistake. Without a log, you can't claim the deduction at all.
2. Only tracking platform miles — Many platforms (DoorDash, Uber) provide a miles summary, but they often undercount. Your own log will typically capture more miles.
3. Reconstructing at tax time — Reconstructed logs are risky in an audit. Log in real time.
4. Forgetting buying trips — Resellers often forget the miles to estate sales and auctions are deductible.