IRS Mileage Rates 2026 for Pet Care Professionals
Everything dog groomers, pet sitters, dog walkers, and mobile pet businesses need to know about maximizing your mileage deductions
If you’re a mobile dog groomer, pet sitter, dog walker, or any pet care professional who drives to clients, the IRS mileage rate is one of your most valuable tax deductions. For 2026, the IRS business mileage rate jumped to 72.5 cents per mile—the highest rate we’ve seen in years. This increase means bigger deductions and more money back in your pocket at tax time.
Whether you’re driving a grooming van full of equipment or hopping between pet sitting clients all day, understanding how to properly track and claim your mileage can save you thousands of dollars annually. In this guide, we’ll break down everything pet care professionals need to know about the 2026 mileage rate and how to make it work for your business.
2026 IRS Mileage Rate for Pet Care Businesses
The IRS announced that the standard mileage rate for business use increased by 2.5 cents for 2026, reflecting rising costs across transportation, fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance.
| Category | 2026 Rate | 2025 Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Business Miles |
72.5¢ per mile |
70¢ per mile |
+2.5¢ |
|
Medical/Moving |
20.5¢ per mile |
21¢ per mile |
-0.5¢ |
|
Charitable |
14¢ per mile |
14¢ per mile |
No Change |
What This Means for Your Pet Business
The 2.5-cent increase might not sound like much, but for pet care professionals who drive hundreds or thousands of miles per month, it adds up fast:
✅ Mobile groomers: If you drive 15,000 miles per year visiting clients, you can now deduct $10,875 (vs. $10,500 in 2025)—that’s an extra $375 in deductions.
✅ Dog walkers: Driving between 10 dog walking appointments per day? At 50 miles/day × 250 working days = 12,500 miles/year = $9,062.50 in deductions.
✅ Pet sitters: Even if you only drive 5,000 miles per year for overnight stays and check-ins, that’s $3,625 you can write off.
✅ Trainers & behaviorists: Traveling to client homes for training sessions? Track every mile—it’s money in your pocket.
💡 Pro Tip: The higher the mileage rate, the more valuable your driving becomes as a tax deduction. Don’t leave money on the table by failing to track your miles properly!
Why the IRS Mileage Rate Matters for Pet Care Professionals
Unlike traditional office-based businesses, pet care professionals spend a huge portion of their day on the road. Mobile groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, and trainers often log 50-200+ miles per week just getting to clients. That’s where the IRS mileage rate becomes your best friend.
Here’s Why It’s Critical:
1. It’s One of Your Biggest Deductions
For most mobile pet businesses, mileage is the #1 or #2 largest business expense after supplies. A mobile groomer driving 15,000 miles per year can deduct over $10,000—that’s massive tax savings.
2. It Covers More Than Just Gas
The IRS mileage rate isn’t just for fuel. It accounts for:
- Gas and oil
- Vehicle depreciation
- Insurance premiums
- Maintenance and repairs
- Tires and routine servicing
You get to deduct all of this with one simple per-mile calculation. No need to track every oil change receipt or gas station visit separately.
3. It’s Easy to Track (With the Right System)
Unlike complex expense tracking, mileage is straightforward: track your start and end odometer, note the business purpose, and multiply your miles by 72.5 cents. Apps like Everlance or MileIQ can automate this entirely.
4. Mobile Pet Businesses Drive A LOT
Let’s look at typical weekly mileage for different pet care professionals:
| Pet Care Business | Avg. Miles/Week | Annual Miles | 2026 Deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Mobile Dog Groomer |
150-300 miles |
7,800-15,600 |
$5,655-$11,310 |
|
Dog Walker (10 clients/day) |
100-150 miles |
5,200-7,800 |
$3,770-$5,655 |
|
Pet Sitter (overnight visits) |
50-100 miles |
2,600-5,200 |
$1,885-$3,770 |
|
Dog Trainer (in-home sessions) |
100-200 miles |
5,200-10,400 |
$3,770-$7,540 |
|
Veterinary Mobile Service |
200-400 miles |
10,400-20,800 |
$7,540-$15,080 |
Bottom line: If you drive to clients, you’re likely leaving thousands of dollars on the table if you’re not tracking mileage.
How to Calculate Your 2026 Mileage Deduction
Calculating your mileage deduction is simple:
Total Business Miles × $0.725 = Your Deduction
Example Calculations:
Mobile Groomer Example:
- You drive 1,200 miles in January visiting clients
- 1,200 miles × $0.725 = $870 deduction for the month
- Over 12 months = $10,440 annual deduction
Dog Walker Example:
- You drive 25 miles per day × 5 days/week = 125 miles/week
- 125 miles/week × 52 weeks = 6,500 miles/year
- 6,500 miles × $0.725 = $4,712.50 annual deduction
Pet Sitter Example:
- You drive 400 miles per month for pet sitting check-ins
- 400 miles × $0.725 = $290/month = $3,480/year
What Counts as Business Miles?
For pet care professionals, business miles include:
✅ Driving from your home/office to your first client
✅ Driving between multiple client appointments
✅ Trips to pick up supplies (pet food, grooming products, etc.)
✅ Bank runs for business deposits
✅ Driving to networking events, trade shows, or professional development
✅ Trips to the vet if you’re boarding pets
✅ Equipment pickups or drop-offs
❌ NOT deductible:
- Personal errands mixed with business trips
- Commuting from home to a permanent business location (if you have one)
- Personal use of your vehicle
💡 Pro Tip: If you work from home and drive directly to your first client, that’s 100% deductible. But if you have a separate office/shop and drive there first, that’s considered commuting and not deductible.
How the IRS Determines the Mileage Rate Each Year
Ever wonder why the mileage rate changes? The IRS doesn’t just pick a random number—they analyze several key factors:
Primary Cost Factors:
- Gas Prices 🚗
National average fuel costs from the previous year heavily influence the rate. When gas prices spike, the mileage rate usually increases the following year. - Vehicle Maintenance Costs 🔧
Rising costs for oil changes, tire replacements, and routine maintenance push the rate higher. - Insurance Premiums 🛡️
Auto insurance costs have climbed significantly in recent years, especially for commercial use vehicles. - Vehicle Depreciation 📉
New and used car prices affect depreciation rates. Higher vehicle values = higher depreciation = higher mileage rate. - Overall Inflation 📊
Transportation cost inflation is tracked through the Consumer Price Index (CPI). When inflation is high, the IRS adjusts the rate accordingly.
For 2026, the increase to 72.5 cents reflects persistently high vehicle operating costs across all categories. Gas prices remained volatile throughout 2025, insurance premiums continued climbing, and vehicle maintenance costs increased due to supply chain issues and labor shortages in the automotive industry.
Translation for pet care pros: The IRS recognizes it’s getting more expensive to operate a vehicle for business, so they’re giving you a higher deduction to match.
Standard Mileage Rate vs. Actual Expenses: Which Is Better?
Pet care professionals have two options for deducting vehicle expenses:
Option 1: Standard Mileage Rate (72.5¢/mile)
How it works: Track your business miles and multiply by 72.5 cents. That’s your deduction.
Best for:
- Mobile groomers with high mileage but older vehicles
- Dog walkers and pet sitters who drive a lot
- Anyone who wants simple, automatic tracking
- Business owners who don’t want to save every receipt
Pros:
✅ Super simple—just track miles
✅ No need to keep gas/maintenance receipts
✅ Usually results in a higher deduction for high-mileage drivers
✅ Easy to automate with apps
Cons:
❌ Can’t deduct additional vehicle expenses separately
❌ Must use the same method all year
Option 2: Actual Expenses Method
How it works: Track every vehicle-related expense and deduct the business-use percentage.
Deductible expenses include:
- Gas and oil
- Repairs and maintenance
- Tires
- Insurance
- Registration fees
- Lease or loan payments
- Depreciation
- Parking and tolls
Then multiply your total expenses by your business-use percentage.
Example:
Total vehicle costs: $12,000/year
Business use: 80%
Deduction: $12,000 × 80% = $9,600
Best for:
- Owners of expensive vehicles (like new grooming vans)
- Businesses with low annual mileage but high vehicle costs
- People who already track every expense meticulously
Pros:
✅ Can result in larger deductions for expensive vehicles
✅ Captures 100% of actual costs
✅ Works well for brand-new specialty vehicles
Cons:
❌ Requires detailed record-keeping
❌ Must save every receipt
❌ More complex tax calculations
❌ Once you use actual expenses, you can’t switch back to standard mileage
Which Method Should Pet Care Professionals Choose?
For most mobile pet businesses, the Standard Mileage Rate is better because:
- You drive a lot of miles
- You don’t want the hassle of tracking every expense
- The per-mile rate is generous enough to cover your costs
- It’s easier to automate and audit-proof
Consider Actual Expenses if:
- You just bought a $60,000+ custom grooming van
- Your vehicle costs are unusually high
- You drive relatively few miles per year
- You’re extremely organized with receipts
💡 Pro Tip: Run the math both ways before deciding. Calculate your total miles × 72.5 cents, then compare it to your actual expenses × business-use percentage. Whichever is higher wins.
How to Track Mileage for Pet Care Businesses
Proper mileage tracking is essential for claiming your deduction. The IRS requires you to maintain a contemporaneous log, meaning you must track miles in real-time (or very close to it). You can’t just estimate at the end of the year.
IRS-Compliant Mileage Log Must Include:
✅ Date of each trip
✅ Starting location
✅ Destination
✅ Business purpose (e.g., “Mobile grooming at client’s home”)
✅ Odometer start and end readings (optional but helpful)
✅ Total miles driven
Tracking Methods for Pet Care Pros:
1. Automatic Mileage Tracking Apps (Best Option)
Apps like Everlance, MileIQ, Stride, or QuickBooks Self-Employed automatically log your trips using GPS and categorize them as business or personal.
Pros:
- Completely automated—no manual entry
- IRS-compliant logs generated automatically
- Syncs with accounting software
- Easy to review and edit trips
Best for: Mobile groomers, dog walkers, and pet sitters who drive multiple times per day.
2. Manual Mileage Log (Old School)
Keep a physical notebook in your car or use a spreadsheet to log trips manually.
Pros:
- Free
- Simple and straightforward
Cons:
- Easy to forget entries
- Time-consuming
- Prone to errors
Best for: Pet sitters or trainers who only drive occasionally.
3. Google Sheets or Excel Template
Create a digital log with columns for date, destination, purpose, and miles.
Pros:
- Free
- Can be accessed on your phone
- Easy to calculate totals
Cons:
- Still requires manual entry
- Not GPS-verified
Best for: Small-scale pet care businesses with low mileage.
Mileage Tracking Best Practices:
✅ Track every single business trip—even short ones add up
✅ Log trips immediately after completing them
✅ Separate personal and business miles clearly
✅ Keep your log for at least 3 years (IRS audit period)
✅ Back up digital logs regularly
✅ Review and clean up your log monthly
💡 Pro Tip: Set a reminder on your phone to review your mileage log every Friday. This keeps it accurate and prevents end-of-year scrambling.
Common Mileage Deduction Mistakes Pet Care Professionals Make
❌ Mistake #1: Not Tracking Miles at All
The Problem: Many pet sitters and dog walkers assume their mileage isn’t high enough to matter. Wrong! Even 5,000 miles per year = $3,625 in deductions.
The Fix: Start tracking today. Even if you’ve already missed some months, track going forward and estimate past mileage conservatively.
❌ Mistake #2: Rounding or Estimating Miles
The Problem: “I probably drove about 100 miles this week” doesn’t cut it with the IRS. They want precise records.
The Fix: Use GPS-based tracking or log exact odometer readings.
❌ Mistake #3: Mixing Personal and Business Trips
The Problem: If you stop at the grocery store between two grooming appointments, you can’t deduct that portion.
The Fix: Only log miles directly related to business activities. If you make a personal stop mid-route, split the trip.
❌ Mistake #4: Forgetting to Track Supply Runs
The Problem: That trip to PetSmart for grooming supplies? Totally deductible. But many people forget to log it.
The Fix: Treat every business-related errand as deductible mileage—bank deposits, supply runs, equipment pickups, etc.
❌ Mistake #5: Not Keeping Records Long Enough
The Problem: The IRS can audit you up to 3 years after filing. If you toss your mileage log after tax season, you’re toast.
The Fix: Keep mileage logs for at least 3 years, stored digitally or in a safe place.
❌ Mistake #6: Claiming Commuting Miles
The Problem: If you drive from home to a permanent business location (like a grooming shop you rent), that’s commuting—not deductible.
The Fix: Only deduct miles driven directly to client locations or between clients.
❌ Mistake #7: Not Adjusting for Personal Use
The Problem: If you use your grooming van for personal trips on weekends, you can’t deduct 100% of its mileage.
The Fix: Track your business-use percentage. If your vehicle is 90% business, only deduct 90% of your miles.
Tax Savings Calculator for Pet Care Professionals
Let’s see how much money you could save by tracking your mileage properly.
Example 1: Mobile Dog Groomer
Annual mileage: 12,000 miles
Mileage deduction: 12,000 × $0.725 = $8,700
Tax bracket: 22% (federal) + 5% (state) = 27%
Tax savings: $8,700 × 27% = $2,349 saved
Example 2: Full-Time Dog Walker
Annual mileage: 8,000 miles
Mileage deduction: 8,000 × $0.725 = $5,800
Tax bracket: 22% (federal) + 3% (state) = 25%
Tax savings: $5,800 × 25% = $1,450 saved
Example 3: Part-Time Pet Sitter
Annual mileage: 4,000 miles
Mileage deduction: 4,000 × $0.725 = $2,900
Tax bracket: 12% (federal) + 4% (state) = 16%
Tax savings: $2,900 × 16% = $464 saved
💡 Bottom Line: Even part-time pet care professionals can save hundreds per year. Full-time mobile groomers can save over $2,000 just by tracking miles.
Frequently Asked Questions About the IRS Mileage Rate for 2025 and 2026
The IRS business mileage rate for 2026 is 72.5 cents per mile. This applies to mobile groomers, dog walkers, pet sitters, trainers, and any pet care professional who drives for work.
The 2025 business mileage rate was 70 cents per mile, so the 2026 rate increased by 2.5 cents.
Absolutely! Mobile groomers can deduct every mile driven to client appointments, supply runs, and business errands. This is one of your largest tax deductions.
Yes! If you drive between dog walking clients throughout the day, every mile is deductible at 72.5 cents per mile.
Yes. Driving to and from pet sitting appointments (including overnight stays and check-ins) is 100% deductible.
You can reconstruct your mileage log using:
- Calendar appointments
- GPS history (Google Maps Timeline)
- Bank/credit card statements showing client payments
- Client booking records
The IRS allows reasonable reconstruction, but it’s better to track in real-time going forward.
No. You must choose either the standard mileage rate or actual expenses. You can’t double-dip by claiming both.
Yes, if:
- You work from home (no separate business location)
- Your first stop is a client’s location
No, if:
- You drive to a permanent business location (like a grooming salon you own/rent) first—that’s commuting.
If you’re self-employed and own the vehicle, yes—track every business mile. If you’re an employee using a company vehicle, you typically can’t claim mileage deductions.
Yes! Mileage for professional development, industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events is fully deductible.
If audited, the IRS will disallow your mileage deduction entirely if you don’t have proper documentation. You could owe back taxes plus penalties and interest.
Yes! The standard mileage rate works for both owned and leased vehicles. However, if you choose the actual expenses method for a leased vehicle, you must use it for the entire lease period.
Mileage deductions reduce your net profit, which lowers both your income tax and self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare). This is why it’s such a valuable deduction.
That’s fine! Just track your business-use percentage. If your car is 70% business and 30% personal, you can deduct 70% of your mileage or expenses.
If you’re a pet sitter or dog walker and the pet is under your care, yes—that’s a business trip.
No! The beauty of the standard mileage rate is that you only need a detailed mileage log—no receipts required. However, keep logs for at least 3 years.
You can reconstruct past mileage using appointment calendars, GPS history, and other records, but it’s not ideal. Start tracking properly now to avoid issues.