72.5 Cents Per Mile: Are You Leaving Money on the Ohio Roads?
If you’re a business owner in the Buckeye State, you probably spend a good chunk of your life behind the wheel. Whether you’re navigating the orange barrels on I-71 to get to a client meeting in Columbus or heading up to Cleveland for a site visit, those miles are doing more than just putting wear and tear on your tires—they are potential tax gold.
The IRS just upped the ante for 2026.
As of January 1st, the standard mileage rate has officially increased to 72.5 cents per business mile. It might sound like pocket change, but when you look at the big picture, it’s one of the most powerful “hidden” savings available to small business owners.
The Math: How “Small” Miles Lead to Big Wins
Let’s look at a typical Ohio hustle. If you’re a contractor, consultant, or service provider logging just 150 miles a week (which is easy to do between the suburbs and the city centers), here is what that looks like on your 2026 tax return:
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150 miles x 50 weeks = 7,500 miles
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7,500 miles x $0.725 = $5,437.50 in deductions
That is over five thousand dollars you can knock off your taxable income just for doing the driving you’re already doing.
The Danger: The “Guesstimate” Trap
Here is where things get tricky. Most business owners I talk to use the “I’ll figure it out in April” method. They scroll through their Google Maps history or try to reconstruct their calendar from six months ago.
The IRS hates guesstimates. In fact, “reconstructed” mileage logs are one of the biggest red flags for an audit. If you can’t provide a contemporaneous log (a fancy word for “tracking it as it happens”), the IRS can—and often will—disallow the entire deduction. Suddenly, that $5,400 savings disappears, and you’re left with a tax bill you didn’t plan for.
The Shift: Making it Seamless
You didn’t start your business to become a professional logbook keeper. If the thought of writing down your odometer reading every time you pull out of your driveway makes you want to pull your hair out, you’re in the right place.
In 2026, tracking your miles shouldn’t feel like a chore. With the right systems, it happens in the background while you focus on your clients.
How J&J Bookkeeping Helps You Win
At J&J Bookkeeping, we don’t just “do the books”—we provide the financial intelligence that keeps your money in your pocket. I help my clients move from “losing the fight” with organization to having a seamless, automated system.
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System Setup: I’ll help you implement easy-to-use mobile tracking apps that log your trips automatically via GPS. You just swipe “Business” or “Personal” at the end of the day.
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Audit-Proof Records: We ensure your logs meet every IRS requirement, so you can breathe easy knowing your deductions are rock-solid.
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Monthly Insight: As part of our core bookkeeping, we review these numbers with you so you can see exactly how much your travel is impacting your bottom line.
Don’t Leave Your Money on I-71
Stop letting those 72.5-cent chunks fly out the window. My approach is professional, it’s easy to implement, and—in most cases—the tax savings from proper mileage tracking alone can help pay for your bookkeeping services.
Ready to stop “guesstimating” and start saving? Let’s get your systems organized before the next mile rolls over.
[Click here to chat with Lori about audit-proofing your business!]