The mileage deduction is one of the most valuable and most overlooked tax deductions available to self-employed beauty professionals. At the 2026 IRS standard rate of $0.70 per mile, driving just 100 miles per month for business purposes saves you about $70 in deductions — roughly $840 per year.
Most beauty pros drive far more than that.
What Counts as a Deductible Business Mile?
The IRS allows you to deduct miles driven for business purposes. For beauty professionals, this includes:
- Driving to your salon, studio, or booth (if you have a qualifying home office — see note below)
- Driving between work locations (e.g., if you work at two different salons)
- Driving to pick up supplies from the beauty supply store
- Driving to mobile client appointments
- Driving to industry classes, workshops, or trade shows
- Driving to the bank to deposit business earnings
- Driving to meet with your accountant
Standard Mileage Rate vs. Actual Expenses
The IRS gives you two options for deducting vehicle costs:
Option 1: Standard Mileage Rate
Multiply your total business miles by the IRS rate ($0.70/mile for 2026). This is simpler and works well for most beauty professionals. You don't need to track gas, insurance, or car payments separately.
Option 2: Actual Expense Method
Track the actual costs of operating your vehicle (gas, oil changes, insurance, registration, depreciation) and deduct the business-use percentage. This requires more documentation and is usually only worth it if you drive a lot for business or have a high-cost vehicle.
For most beauty professionals, the standard mileage rate is simpler and just as good or better.
How Much Could You Actually Save?
| Monthly Business Miles | Annual Miles | Annual Deduction (@ $0.70/mi) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 miles/month | 600 miles | $420 |
| 100 miles/month | 1,200 miles | $840 |
| 200 miles/month | 2,400 miles | $1,680 |
| 400 miles/month | 4,800 miles | $3,360 |
A hairstylist who drives to the beauty supply store twice a week (10 miles round trip) plus drives to work every day (8 miles round trip) could easily log 200+ business miles per month.
The One Thing the IRS Requires: A Mileage Log
To claim the mileage deduction, you need a contemporaneous mileage log — meaning you record trips as they happen, not at the end of the year trying to remember. Your log needs to include:
- Date of each trip
- Starting and ending location
- Business purpose of the trip
- Miles driven
SuitesBooks has a built-in mileage tracker where you can log each trip in under 30 seconds. It automatically calculates the deduction at the current IRS rate and keeps a running total you can export at tax time.
Don't Leave This Money on the Table
The mileage deduction is money the IRS is offering you — but only if you track and claim it. Most beauty professionals who've never tracked their mileage are shocked when they see how much they've been missing. Start logging your trips today, even if it's just a note in SuitesBooks after each supply run.