Doctors and Dentists: How to Track Mileage to Save on Taxes
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
If you use your personal vehicle for patient visits, hospital rounds, lab runs, supply pickups, or continuing education, you may be missing out on an easy tax deduction: mileage tracking. Many doctors and dentists lose money every year simply because they don’t track their mileage correctly. At ISTAXPro, we provide accurate bookkeeping and tax return preparation for doctors and dentists, ensuring your mileage deductions are captured properly while keeping your records clean and audit-ready.
Why Mileage Tracking Matters
● Mileage deductions lower your taxable income.
● The IRS standard mileage rate for 2025 is 67 cents per mile (example rate; confirm the IRS mileage rate for 2025 before filing).
● Even 200 business miles a month equals $1,608 in potential annual deductions.
● Clean tracking helps you avoid missed deductions while protecting you in case of an audit.
What Mileage Is Deductible?
Doctors and dentists can typically deduct mileage for:
● Driving between your practice and hospitals or labs
● Going to medical conferences or CE events
● Picking up supplies for your practice
● Traveling to meetings with other providers or professional advisors
Note: Commuting from home to your regular place of work is not deductible. However, travel from your home office to a temporary work location may be deductible under certain conditions.
How to Track Your Mileage Correctly
1. Use a Mileage Log
The IRS requires a contemporaneous record of your business mileage, including:
● Date of the trip
● Starting point and destination
● Purpose of the trip
● Miles driven
You can use a paper log, spreadsheet, or a mileage-tracking app.
2. Use Mileage Tracking Apps
Apps like MileIQ, Everlance, or QuickBooks mobile can:
● Automatically track drives using GPS
● Classify trips as business or personal
● Generate reports for your records and tax preparation
These tools reduce manual entry and ensure accuracy.
3. Keep Supporting Documentation
Maintain:
● Receipts related to business travel (parking, tolls)
● Conference registration confirming travel for CE
● Invoices showing supply purchases tied to travel
Accurate, organized records support your deduction if ever questioned by the IRS.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
● Not tracking mileage consistently throughout the year
● Estimating mileage without supporting documentation
● Failing to separate personal and business miles
● Forgetting to record the purpose of each trip
How ISTAXPro Supports Mileage Deduction Tracking
At ISTAXPro, we help doctors and dentists:
● Track and categorize mileage accurately within your bookkeeping
● Align your mileage deductions with your practice’s income and tax planning
● Prepare tax returns that capture eligible mileage deductions
● Maintain audit-ready records for your peace of mind
Maximize Your Deductions with Clean Mileage Tracking
Mileage tracking is one of the simplest ways to reduce your taxable income and keep more of what you earn. With accurate records and clean bookkeeping, you can confidently claim your eligible mileage deductions while focusing on patient care.
Contact ISTAXPro today to organize your records and ensure your tax filings accurately reflect your mileage
deductions so you can protect
your income while building
a stronger financial future.
