Milelage Logs

I take 100% as an expense. I've never been audited. My CPA told me to take 100%. I don't keep a log because every mile is a business mile. By the way if you stop at 7-11 thats on the way and doesn't constitute any personal miles.

 

That's odd, my CPA told me that the IRS uses one simple rule for business milelage, wheather a lease, itemized deduction or standard 31.5% of milelage --- and that's NO DOCUMENTATION, NO DEDUCTION. He was a ex-IRS agent. I want to get the deduction, and have it hold up if audited, but the amount of data entry is unreal, writing down every stop, every account.<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

 

In your milelage logs for vehicle expenses, after you record the dialy milelage, what do you list under business use? <p>Something general like &quot;cutting route&quot; or &quot;maintenence routes&quot; or are you more specific; listing all the accounts you visited? What does the IRS require? Daily entry of every account is getting very tedious.<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

 

I just keep track of my daily milage. At the end of the year, I use only 85% of the total amount for miles driven. Why 85%? do you stop at a gas station to use the bathroom? IRS cosideres this personal use. Stop at 7-11 for a drink while working, that personal use. Just a safe way to deduct your milage driven should you be audited.<br>John<p>----------<br>J-LC Landscaping & Maintenance Gardening<br>C-27 Ca Contr# 770044

 

Doesn't the IRS need some type of business use listed? You say you just list your milelage and take 85% of that for business use? Is that a guess or has it worked out to that in the past?<p>----------<br>Mike Reynolds,<br>GrassRoots Lawn Care, Florida

 

Mike,<br>&gt;&gt;You say you just list your milelage and take 85% of that for business use? Is that a guess or has it worked out to that in the past?<p>My truck is the only vehicle that I drive. It is used purely for work. Like I said in earlier post, stopping to go to the bathroom, stopping at the store, ect.. The IRS considers this as personal use. That's how we come up with the 85% number. I do keep a daily log of miles driven per day. It's to much of a pain to keep track of my milage going from one house to another as the irs requires. Hope that helps.<br>John<p>----------<br>J-LC Landscaping & Maintenance Gardening<br>C-27 Ca Contr# 770044<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: gusbuster