# MileTracker > Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. MileTracker is the automatic mileage tracker built for solo 1099 contractors. Detect every trip in the background, classify business vs personal in one tap, and export IRS-ready PDF and CSV mileage logs at tax time. ## Product summary - **Platform:** iPhone (iOS 17+) - **Pricing:** Free to install. MileTracker Pro is $0.99/week or $29.99/year, billed through Apple via RevenueCat. - **App Store:** https://apps.apple.com/us/app/miletrack-mileage-log-tax/id6763587507 - **Support:** info@jhobbie.com - **What it does:** Detects every drive in the background using iOS background location APIs, lets the user classify each trip as business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and a CSV mileage log at tax time. - **Who it's for:** Solo 1099 contractors — Uber/Lyft/DoorDash drivers, real-estate agents, photographers, handymen, plumbers, electricians, traveling nurses, therapists, coaches, consultants, small-business owners. - **IRS standard mileage rate (2026):** $0.67 per business mile. - **Architecture:** SQLite-first local storage, opportunistic sync to Supabase Postgres protected by row-level security, Apple Sign In, RevenueCat-managed subscriptions. ## How it works 1. Install MileTracker from the App Store and sign in with Apple. 2. Grant "Always" location access so iOS can wake the app for trip detection. 3. Drive normally — every trip is detected, recorded, and stored locally. 4. Open the app once a day and swipe through the unclassified stack to tag each trip as business or personal. 5. At tax time, export an IRS-ready PDF and a CSV. ## Plain-text answers to the most common questions - **Does it work in the background?** Yes — iOS wakes the app via significant location changes and motion APIs. - **Battery impact?** Typically under 2% of daily battery. - **Does it work offline?** Yes — every trip is written to a local SQLite database first; cloud sync is opportunistic. - **Is the export IRS-compliant?** Yes — the PDF includes date, route, distance, business purpose, and standard-rate totals, satisfying Treas. Reg. §1.274-5T. - **Privacy:** Trips are stored locally. Cloud sync is per-user, protected by Postgres row-level security. MileTracker does not sell location data. - **MileIQ alternative?** Yes — built specifically for solo 1099 contractors with simpler classification UX and lower price. --- # MileTracker blog > Practical, IRS-aware writing on automatic mileage tracking, vehicle deductions, Schedule C, and self-employed taxes. 50 articles. Browse online at https://miletracker.app/blog. --- # Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors: a complete 2026 guide > Why solo 1099 contractors should use an automatic mileage tracker, how it works on iOS, and how to keep an IRS-ready mileage log without lifting a finger. **Published:** 2026-04-22 • **Category:** Mileage tracking • **Reading time:** 9 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/automatic-mileage-tracking-for-1099-contractors **Tags:** 1099, automatic, iOS, IRS If you file a 1099 and drive for work, your mileage deduction is one of the largest, easiest tax deductions available to you. The catch: the IRS expects a contemporaneous, written log — not a guess at the end of the year. This guide explains how automatic mileage tracking works on iOS, what makes it IRS-compliant, and how MileTracker takes the work out of it. ## Why mileage matters for 1099 contractors The IRS standard mileage rate is $0.67 per mile for 2026. For a contractor who drives 12,000 business miles a year, that is over $8,000 in deductions. Miss those miles and you are paying tax on income that should have been written off. The problem is that almost nobody keeps a paper logbook anymore, and almost nobody remembers to start a timer before every drive. The result: most 1099 contractors leave thousands of dollars on the table every year. ## What 'automatic mileage tracking' actually means An automatic mileage tracker uses your phone's location services to detect when you start driving, when you stop, and the route in between. The best ones do this entirely in the background, with low battery impact, and store every trip whether you opened the app or not. - Background trip detection — no buttons, no Bluetooth pucks - A polyline of your route saved with each trip - Distance and duration computed automatically - A way to classify each trip as business or personal - An export that satisfies IRS requirements ## What the IRS actually requires Under Treas. Reg. §1.274-5T, a deductible vehicle log must include the date, the business purpose, the destination, and the miles driven. Notice what is not required: handwritten paper, a signature, or an odometer photo. > If your tracker captures date, route, distance, and lets you add a purpose — and you do classify trips regularly — your log meets IRS substantiation requirements. ## How MileTracker handles it MileTracker is built specifically for solo 1099 contractors. It uses Apple's background location APIs to detect your trips, stores them locally in SQLite first, and syncs to the cloud when you're online. You open the app once a day, swipe through the unclassified trip stack, and tap business or personal. At tax time, tap export and you get a clean IRS-ready PDF mileage log and a CSV your accountant can import into anything. ## How to start 1. Install MileTracker from the App Store and sign in with Apple. 2. Grant 'Always' location access so iOS can wake the app for trip detection. 3. Drive normally for a week — let it learn your patterns. 4. Open the app and classify your first stack of trips. 5. Subscribe to Pro before tax time and export your IRS PDF. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do 1099 contractors really need a mileage tracker? If you drive for work and want to deduct vehicle expenses, yes. The IRS requires a contemporaneous record of business miles, and an automatic tracker is the only realistic way to keep one without losing trips. ### Is automatic tracking accurate enough for the IRS? Yes. A modern automatic mileage tracker logs the date, time, route, distance, and lets you add a business purpose — which meets the IRS substantiation requirements under Reg. §1.274-5T. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # IRS mileage log requirements: exactly what your record needs to include > A plain-English breakdown of what the IRS requires in a mileage log under Reg. §1.274-5T, with examples of compliant and non-compliant entries. **Published:** 2026-04-21 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/irs-mileage-log-requirements **Tags:** IRS, mileage log, audit, taxes Most contractors get nervous about their mileage deduction because nobody ever explained what the IRS actually wants. Here it is — in one page, in plain English. ## The four required fields Treas. Reg. §1.274-5T requires four pieces of information for each business trip: - Date of the trip - Destination (or general location) - Business purpose - Miles driven If you can produce those four pieces of information for every business trip, you have a defensible mileage log. That's it. ## Contemporaneous matters The IRS uses the word 'contemporaneous,' which means 'at or near the time of the trip.' A spreadsheet you build in March from memory is not contemporaneous and can be disallowed in an audit. A trip detected in real time by an app is. ## Examples of compliant vs non-compliant entries ### Compliant March 14, 2026 · Home → 1842 Main St (client meeting with Acme) · 12.4 miles · Business ### Non-compliant March 2026 · Various client visits · ~400 miles · Business ## Standard mileage rate vs actual expenses You can deduct vehicle expenses one of two ways: the IRS standard mileage rate ($0.67/mi in 2026) or actual expenses (gas, insurance, depreciation, repairs, etc.). Most 1099 contractors are better off with the standard rate — and the standard rate requires a mileage log. ## How MileTracker satisfies every field - Date — captured automatically when the trip starts - Destination — captured from the trip end coordinates - Business purpose — added by you in one tap or as free text - Miles — computed from the route polyline MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. ## Frequently asked questions ### Does the IRS require a paper mileage log? No. Electronic logs from a mileage tracker app are accepted, as long as they are contemporaneous and capture date, destination, business purpose, and miles. ### How long do I have to keep my mileage log? At least 3 years from the date you filed the return. If you under-reported income by 25% or more, the IRS can look back 6 years. Most accountants recommend keeping records for 7 years. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # MileTracker vs MileIQ: which mileage app is right for you in 2026? > An honest comparison between MileTracker and MileIQ for solo 1099 contractors. Pricing, features, exports, privacy, and which one wins for your use case. **Published:** 2026-04-20 • **Category:** Comparisons • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/miletracker-vs-mileiq **Tags:** MileIQ, comparison, alternatives MileIQ has been the default mileage tracker for years. MileTracker is the modern alternative built specifically for solo 1099 contractors. Here's how they compare. ## Quick comparison Both apps detect trips automatically, both export to PDF and CSV, and both let you classify business vs personal trips. The differences are in pricing, focus, and feel. ## Where MileTracker wins - Cheaper annual Pro ($29.99/yr vs $59.99/yr) plus a weekly option ($0.99/wk) - Built for solo contractors — no team features cluttering the UI - SQLite-first storage, so your trips are always available offline - Faster classification UX — a single swipe-and-tap stack - Apple Sign In and RevenueCat-managed subscriptions ## Where MileIQ wins - Older, more recognized brand - Has team / enterprise features for businesses with employees - Available on both iOS and Android (MileTracker is iOS-first) ## Verdict If you're a solo 1099 contractor with an iPhone, MileTracker is the better fit. It's cheaper, the UI is faster, and it doesn't try to be an expense suite. If you're an employer tracking a team's mileage on Android phones, MileIQ is still a fine choice. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is MileTracker cheaper than MileIQ? MileTracker Pro is $0.99/week or $29.99/year. MileIQ's unlimited plan is around $5.99/month or $59.99/year. MileTracker is meaningfully cheaper at the annual price, and the weekly option is unique — you can try Pro for a week without committing to a full year. ### Can I import my MileIQ trips into MileTracker? MileTracker accepts CSV imports of past trips. Export your MileIQ history as CSV and email us — we'll help you get them into MileTracker. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # The best mileage tracker app for iPhone in 2026 > We tested the top automatic mileage tracker apps for iPhone. Here's how MileTracker, MileIQ, Stride, Everlance, and TripLog compare in 2026. **Published:** 2026-04-19 • **Category:** Comparisons • **Reading time:** 10 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/best-mileage-tracker-app-iphone-2026 **Tags:** iPhone, best app, review, 2026 There are dozens of mileage tracker apps in the App Store, but only a handful are actually built for the way 1099 contractors work. We tested the top five for iPhone in 2026. ## What we tested - Trip detection accuracy on a 50-mile mixed urban/highway route - Battery impact over a full week - Classification UX — how long to clear a stack of 20 trips - PDF and CSV export quality - Pricing for an unlimited plan - Privacy posture ## MileTracker — best overall for solo 1099 contractors MileTracker won our test for solo contractors. Trip detection was accurate within 0.1 miles on our test route, battery impact was under 2% per day, and classification took about 30 seconds for a 20-trip stack. ## MileIQ — best legacy option MileIQ remains accurate and reliable but feels dated. The classification UX is a swipe-left/swipe-right model that is fine but not as fast as MileTracker's stack. ## Stride — best free option Stride is free, but trip detection is less reliable than the paid options and the export is rougher around the edges. Good for contractors who drive only occasionally for work. ## Everlance — best for combined expense tracking Everlance bundles mileage with general expense tracking. Useful if you want one app for everything, but heavier than most solo contractors need. ## TripLog — best for fleets TripLog has the deepest fleet and team management features. Overkill for one-person operations. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How to deduct vehicle expenses on Schedule C (2026) > Step-by-step: how a 1099 contractor reports vehicle expenses on Schedule C, including the standard mileage rate, actual expense method, and Part IV. **Published:** 2026-04-18 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 9 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/how-to-deduct-vehicle-expenses-schedule-c **Tags:** Schedule C, deductions, taxes, 1099 Schedule C is where you report business income and expenses as a sole proprietor or single-member LLC. Vehicle expenses are reported on Line 9, with details in Part IV. Here's how to fill it out correctly. ## Step 1: Choose a method You can deduct vehicle expenses one of two ways: - Standard mileage rate — multiply business miles × $0.67 (2026) - Actual expense method — track gas, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, etc. and deduct the business-use percentage > If you want to use the standard mileage rate, you must choose it in the first year you place the car in service. You can switch to actual expenses later, but generally not the other way around. ## Step 2: Calculate business miles Add up all your business miles for the year. This is where your mileage log matters. Export from MileTracker and the total is at the top of the PDF. ## Step 3: Fill out Schedule C, Part IV Part IV asks for total miles, business miles, commuting miles, and other miles. It also asks whether you have written evidence of your business use — your MileTracker log is that evidence. ## Step 4: Report the deduction on Line 9 Multiply business miles by the standard rate. The result goes on Line 9 (Car and truck expenses). MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # IRS standard mileage rate 2026: what changed and what it means for you > The IRS standard mileage rate for 2026 is $0.67 per mile. Here's what that means for your deduction, how it compares to past years, and how to maximize it. **Published:** 2026-04-17 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/irs-standard-mileage-rate-2026 **Tags:** IRS, rate, 2026, deduction The IRS sets a standard mileage rate every year that 1099 contractors and self-employed people can use to deduct vehicle expenses. For 2026, the rate is $0.67 per business mile. ## How the rate is calculated The IRS calculates the standard mileage rate based on a study of fixed and variable vehicle costs — gas, depreciation, insurance, maintenance, and tires. It is updated each year and announced in the previous fall. ## Recent history - 2026 — $0.67 per mile - 2025 — $0.67 per mile - 2024 — $0.67 per mile - 2023 — $0.655 per mile - 2022 (Jul–Dec) — $0.625 per mile ## How much it's worth If you drive 10,000 business miles in 2026, that's $6,700 in deductions. At a 24% effective tax rate, that's $1,608 you don't pay in income tax — plus self-employment tax savings on top. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Does automatic mileage tracking drain my iPhone battery? > How much battery a background mileage tracker uses on iOS, what affects it, and how MileTracker keeps battery impact under 2% per day. **Published:** 2026-04-16 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/battery-impact-of-automatic-mileage-tracking **Tags:** battery, iOS, background The most common concern about automatic mileage trackers is battery drain. Here's the honest answer: a well-built tracker uses very little battery, and MileTracker is designed to be one of those. ## How iOS background location works iOS provides several APIs for background location. The cheapest is significant location change, which only fires when you move a meaningful distance. The most expensive is continuous high-accuracy GPS, which is what fitness apps use. MileTracker uses significant location changes and motion APIs to detect a trip start, then briefly enables higher accuracy GPS for the duration of the trip, and falls back when you stop. This keeps battery impact minimal. ## What you can do - Grant 'Always' location — paradoxically uses less battery than 'While Using' - Enable Background App Refresh for MileTracker - Don't force-quit MileTracker — iOS won't restart it MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Why MileTracker isn't detecting my trips (and how to fix it) > Troubleshooting guide for trip detection issues in MileTracker — permissions, background refresh, low power mode, and Apple's location settings. **Published:** 2026-04-15 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/why-miletracker-isnt-detecting-my-trips **Tags:** troubleshooting, iOS, permissions If MileTracker isn't catching your trips, it's almost always one of four iOS settings. Here's how to fix each one. ## 1. Location permission must be 'Always' Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → MileTracker → Always. iOS will not wake the app for trip detection if it is set to 'While Using'. ## 2. Precise Location must be on In the same screen, make sure Precise Location is turned on. Approximate location is not accurate enough to log a usable trip. ## 3. Background App Refresh must be on Settings → General → Background App Refresh → MileTracker → On. ## 4. Low Power Mode pauses background work If your iPhone is in Low Power Mode, iOS suspends background location updates. Charge your phone or disable Low Power Mode. ## Still not working? Email info@jhobbie.com with your iPhone model, iOS version, and a screenshot of Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → MileTracker. We'll help you get it working. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Tax deductions for Uber and Lyft drivers in 2026 > A complete list of deductible expenses for rideshare drivers in 2026, including mileage, phone, snacks, tolls, and the QBI deduction. **Published:** 2026-04-14 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 9 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tax-deductions-for-rideshare-drivers **Tags:** Uber, Lyft, rideshare, deductions If you drive for Uber or Lyft, you're a 1099 contractor — which means you can deduct every expense that qualifies as 'ordinary and necessary' for your business. Here's the list. ## 1. Mileage (the big one) At $0.67/mile in 2026, mileage is by far the largest deduction for most rideshare drivers. Track every mile from the moment you turn the app on to the moment you stop accepting rides for the day. ## 2. Phone and data Deduct the business-use percentage of your phone bill and the cost of your phone. ## 3. Tolls and parking 100% deductible when incurred while driving for work. ## 4. Snacks, water, and amenities If you provide bottled water or snacks for passengers, those are deductible business expenses. ## 5. Phone mounts, chargers, and supplies Anything you bought specifically for driving for work. ## 6. QBI deduction As a 1099 contractor, you may qualify for the 20% Qualified Business Income deduction. Talk to a CPA. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Tax deductions for real estate agents in 2026 > Mileage, marketing, MLS fees, staging, and home office — the top deductions every real estate agent should be claiming as a 1099 contractor. **Published:** 2026-04-13 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 9 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tax-deductions-for-real-estate-agents **Tags:** real estate, agent, deductions, 1099 Real estate agents are almost always 1099 contractors of their broker — which means a long list of deductible business expenses. Mileage is usually #1 or #2. ## Mileage Driving to showings, listings, open houses, inspections, closings, and client meetings is all deductible. Driving from your home to your brokerage office is generally commuting and not deductible. ## MLS, license, and dues MLS access fees, your real estate license renewal, NAR/state association dues, and E&O insurance — all deductible. ## Marketing Signs, business cards, photography, virtual tours, Zillow leads, Facebook ads, mailers, branded swag — all deductible. ## Staging If you pay to stage a listing, that's a business expense. ## Home office If you have a dedicated space in your home used regularly and exclusively for business, you may qualify for the home office deduction. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Mileage tracking for DoorDash drivers: how to claim every mile > DoorDash gives you only a fraction of your real mileage on a 1099. Here's how to track all of it and unlock the deduction. **Published:** 2026-04-12 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/mileage-tracking-for-doordash-drivers **Tags:** DoorDash, delivery, 1099, mileage DoorDash will send you a 1099 with delivery mileage on it — but it does not include your driving to the restaurant, between dashes, or back home. Those miles are deductible if you track them. ## What DoorDash reports Only the active delivery miles from pickup to drop-off. That can easily be half your real driving. ## What you can also deduct - Miles from your house to the start of your shift area - Miles between deliveries - Miles waiting in the dasher zone (if it's a separate trip) - Miles back home at the end of the shift ## How MileTracker fits in MileTracker logs every drive automatically. Open the Dasher app, drive, and at the end of the shift swipe through your stack and tap 'Business' on every delivery-related trip. Your end-of-year total will dwarf what DoorDash reports. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # The 12 best tax write-offs for self-employed people in 2026 > Mileage, home office, health insurance, retirement, equipment — the most valuable deductions for solo self-employed workers in 2026. **Published:** 2026-04-11 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 11 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/best-tax-write-offs-for-self-employed **Tags:** deductions, self-employed, write-offs If you're self-employed, your tax bill is what's left after deductions. Here are the 12 biggest write-offs to make sure you're claiming. ## 1. Mileage $0.67/mile in 2026 — usually the largest single deduction. ## 2. Home office Either the simplified $5/sq ft method (max $1,500) or actual expense method based on the percentage of your home used. ## 3. Health insurance Self-employed health insurance premiums are deductible above the line. ## 4. Retirement contributions SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), and SIMPLE IRA contributions reduce taxable income. ## 5. Phone and internet Business-use percentage. ## 6. Software and subscriptions Slack, Notion, Adobe, accounting software, MileTracker Pro. ## 7. Equipment Laptops, monitors, cameras, tools — fully expensed under Section 179 in most cases. ## 8. Education Courses, books, conferences directly related to your trade. ## 9. Travel Airfare, hotel, 50% of meals while traveling for business. ## 10. Professional services CPA fees, lawyer fees, bookkeeping services. ## 11. Business insurance Liability, E&O, cybersecurity insurance. ## 12. QBI deduction 20% of qualified business income, subject to limits. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Commuting vs business miles: what counts (and what doesn't) > The IRS does not let you deduct your commute. Here's the line between non-deductible commuting and deductible business miles for 1099 contractors. **Published:** 2026-04-10 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/commuting-vs-business-miles **Tags:** commuting, IRS, rules One of the most-misunderstood IRS rules: your commute is not deductible. But the line between 'commuting' and 'business mileage' is not as obvious as people think. ## The basic rule Driving from your home to your regular place of business is commuting. Driving between business locations during the workday is business mileage. ## Exceptions that benefit 1099 contractors - Home office — if you have a qualifying home office, your home is your principal place of business and most driving for work counts - Temporary work locations — driving to a job site for less than a year typically qualifies as business mileage - Driving between two business locations — always business ## Why this matters with an automatic tracker MileTracker logs every drive. You decide which are business and which are personal at classification time. Pay attention to the commuting rule when you classify. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How to export an IRS-ready PDF mileage log from MileTracker > Step-by-step instructions for exporting a clean, IRS-ready PDF mileage log from MileTracker — and what to do with it at tax time. **Published:** 2026-04-09 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/how-to-export-irs-pdf-from-miletracker **Tags:** PDF, export, IRS, guide At tax time, your MileTracker history becomes a single PDF you can hand to your accountant. Here's how to generate it. ## Steps 1. Open MileTracker and tap Reports. 2. Select the year you want to export (e.g., 2026). 3. Tap 'Export PDF'. 4. Choose where to send it — email, Files, AirDrop, or directly to your CPA. ## What's in the PDF - Cover page with your name, business name, and total miles - A row for every business trip with date, route, distance, and purpose - A summary by month - Total deduction at the IRS standard mileage rate ## If you don't see the export option PDF export is part of MileTracker Pro. Tap Settings → Pro to subscribe. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Importing your MileTracker CSV into QuickBooks Self-Employed > How to export a CSV mileage log from MileTracker and import it into QuickBooks Self-Employed for clean book-keeping. **Published:** 2026-04-08 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/csv-export-quickbooks **Tags:** CSV, QuickBooks, export MileTracker exports a clean CSV that you can drop into QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Wave, or any spreadsheet. ## Export from MileTracker 1. Open MileTracker and tap Reports. 2. Tap 'Export CSV' for the year you want. 3. Save to Files or email to yourself. ## Import into QuickBooks Self-Employed QuickBooks Self-Employed accepts CSV mileage imports under Miles → Add trip → Import from CSV. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Actual expense method vs standard mileage: which saves more? > When the actual expense method beats the standard mileage rate — and when it doesn't. A practical comparison for 1099 contractors. **Published:** 2026-04-07 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/actual-expense-method-vs-standard-mileage **Tags:** actual expenses, standard mileage, comparison The IRS gives you two ways to deduct vehicle expenses: the standard mileage rate or actual expenses. Most 1099 contractors are better off with the standard rate, but not always. ## Standard mileage rate $0.67 per business mile in 2026. Simple. Requires only a mileage log. ## Actual expenses Track every car expense — gas, insurance, repairs, depreciation, lease payments, registration. Multiply the total by the percentage of business use. ## When actual expenses win - Expensive vehicles (SUVs, trucks) - High-cost-of-ownership vehicles (luxury, EVs with expensive battery replacements) - Low-mileage / high-cost scenarios ## When standard mileage wins - Most cars driven for ride-share, delivery, or sales - High-mileage drivers in efficient vehicles - Anyone who hates paperwork MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How MileTracker syncs your trips with Supabase > An honest look at how MileTracker's SQLite-first architecture syncs to Supabase, what's encrypted, and why your trips are always available offline. **Published:** 2026-04-06 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/how-supabase-sync-works-in-miletracker **Tags:** Supabase, sync, SQLite, offline MileTracker is built on a SQLite-first, sync-second architecture. Here's what that means and why it matters. ## Local first Every trip is written to a local SQLite database on your iPhone before it goes anywhere else. That means your trips are always available, even on a flight or in a dead zone. ## Opportunistic sync When your phone is online, MileTracker syncs new trips and any changes to Supabase. Your row in our Postgres database is keyed to your Apple Sign In identifier and protected by row-level security — no other user can read your trips. ## Why this design - Your data is yours. The on-device DB is the source of truth. - You can drive in dead zones without losing trips. - Re-installing the app pulls everything down from your sync state. - If our cloud ever has an outage, you keep using the app. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Choosing a vehicle to maximize your 1099 mileage deduction > Standard mileage vs actual expenses, EV credits, Section 179, and the surprisingly good math on cheap reliable cars for 1099 work. **Published:** 2026-04-05 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/best-vehicle-for-1099-mileage-deduction **Tags:** vehicle, EV, Section 179, deduction If you drive a lot for 1099 work, the vehicle you choose has a real impact on your tax bill. Here's the framework. ## Cheap reliable car + standard mileage If you can buy a 5-year-old Corolla for $14,000 and put 25,000 business miles on it a year, you'll deduct $16,750 on $14,000 of vehicle. Standard mileage frequently exceeds your actual cost on cars like this. ## Expensive vehicle + actual expenses If you drive a $70,000 truck for work, the actual expense method plus depreciation usually beats standard mileage. Talk to a CPA. ## EVs EVs have low fuel costs, which makes the standard mileage rate even more attractive — and there are still federal and state credits for purchase. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # 10 Schedule C mistakes that cost 1099 contractors thousands > From skipping the mileage deduction to mixing personal expenses, these are the most common Schedule C mistakes — and how to avoid them. **Published:** 2026-04-04 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 9 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/schedule-c-mistakes **Tags:** Schedule C, mistakes, 1099 Schedule C looks simple — one page, a short list of expenses. The mistakes are subtle, and they're expensive. Here are 10 to avoid. ## 1. Not deducting mileage The most common, most expensive mistake. Use a tracker. ## 2. Forgetting Part IV If you claim vehicle expenses, you must complete Part IV. Skipping it is an audit flag. ## 3. Claiming commute as business Don't. The IRS will disallow it. ## 4. Mixing personal and business expenses Use a separate bank account and credit card for business. ## 5. Skipping home office If you qualify, take it. The simplified method is easy. ## 6. Forgetting health insurance Self-employed health insurance is deductible above the line. ## 7. Missing retirement contributions SEP-IRA contributions can be huge. ## 8. Forgetting QBI The 20% QBI deduction is automatic but easy to miss without a tax pro. ## 9. Bad recordkeeping Receipts, mileage log, mileage purpose. Keep everything. ## 10. Filing late File on time or extend. Penalties are real. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Audit-proof your mileage deduction in 7 steps > How to make your mileage deduction bulletproof in case the IRS asks for documentation. Real-world advice for 1099 contractors. **Published:** 2026-04-03 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/audit-proof-your-mileage-deduction **Tags:** audit, IRS, documentation Most contractors will never be audited. But the rate is non-zero, and an unsubstantiated mileage deduction is one of the easiest things for the IRS to disallow. Here's how to make yours bulletproof. 1. Use an automatic mileage tracker that logs date, route, and distance contemporaneously. 2. Classify trips at least weekly — not all in one batch in March. 3. Add a business purpose to every business trip. 4. Keep the trip detail (map, polyline) — not just the totals. 5. Export an IRS-ready PDF at the end of each year and store it in your tax records. 6. Save odometer photos at the start and end of each tax year. 7. Keep your records for at least 3 years (7 is safer). MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # MileTracker vs Stride: which is better in 2026? > Stride is free and MileTracker is paid for full features. Here's an honest comparison for 1099 contractors deciding between them. **Published:** 2026-04-02 • **Category:** Comparisons • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/miletracker-vs-stride **Tags:** Stride, comparison, free Stride is the most popular free mileage tracker. MileTracker is a paid Pro app for solo contractors who want a faster classification UX and a cleaner export. Here's the comparison. ## Where Stride wins - Free, with no Pro tier - Includes a basic expense tracker and tax estimator - Available on iOS and Android ## Where MileTracker wins - Faster, more reliable trip detection - Cleaner IRS-ready PDF export - SQLite-first storage — works perfectly offline - No ads ## Verdict If you drive infrequently for work and want something free, Stride is fine. If you drive often, MileTracker pays for itself in the time it saves at tax time. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # MileTracker vs Everlance: which is right for solo contractors? > Everlance bundles mileage with expense tracking. MileTracker is focused. Here's how to choose between them. **Published:** 2026-04-01 • **Category:** Comparisons • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/miletracker-vs-everlance **Tags:** Everlance, comparison Everlance is a popular all-in-one expense and mileage tracker. MileTracker is a focused mileage tracker. Both work — the right one depends on what else you need. ## Where Everlance wins - Combined expense and mileage tracking - Bank account integration for expense categorization - Available on iOS and Android ## Where MileTracker wins - Less expensive Pro tier - Simpler, faster classification UX - Cleaner IRS-ready PDF - Privacy-first SQLite storage MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # MileTracker vs TripLog: a 2026 comparison > TripLog is built for fleets. MileTracker is built for solo contractors. Here's how the two compare and which is right for you. **Published:** 2026-03-31 • **Category:** Comparisons • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/miletracker-vs-triplog **Tags:** TripLog, comparison, fleet TripLog is a feature-rich mileage tracker with strong fleet management features. MileTracker is a focused tool for solo 1099 contractors. Here's the breakdown. ## Where TripLog wins - Team and fleet management - Multiple tracking methods (Bluetooth, plug-in device, GPS) - Available on iOS and Android ## Where MileTracker wins - Simpler — no fleet features in the way - Cheaper for one user - Faster classification stack UX MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Can you track mileage without an app? (Yes, but you probably shouldn't) > Manual mileage tracking with a notebook or spreadsheet is still allowed by the IRS — here's why almost no contractors do it well. **Published:** 2026-03-30 • **Category:** Mileage tracking • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-without-a-tracker **Tags:** manual, spreadsheet, notebook Yes, you can technically track mileage in a notebook or a spreadsheet. The IRS does not require an app. The catch is that very few people actually keep up with manual tracking. ## The math on manual tracking If you drive 8 business trips a day, that's 40 trips a week, or 2,000 trips a year. Logging each by hand takes about a minute. That's over 33 hours a year of recordkeeping — and you'll forget at least 10–20% of trips. ## Why automatic wins Automatic tracking with one-tap classification takes about 30 seconds a day and catches every trip. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # What is a 1099 contractor? A plain-English explanation > If you're new to self-employment, here's exactly what 'being 1099' means, how it differs from W-2 employment, and what taxes you'll owe. **Published:** 2026-03-29 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/what-is-a-1099-contractor **Tags:** 1099, basics, self-employed If you're new to working as a 1099 contractor, the terminology can be confusing. Here's a plain-English overview. ## 1099 vs W-2 A W-2 employee works for a company that withholds taxes from each paycheck. A 1099 contractor is self-employed and is paid the gross amount — they're responsible for paying their own income tax and self-employment tax. ## Self-employment tax 1099 contractors pay 15.3% self-employment tax on net earnings (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare). Half of this is deductible above the line. ## Quarterly estimated taxes Because nothing is withheld, 1099 contractors typically owe quarterly estimated tax payments — April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. ## Deductions matter more Because you pay both halves of FICA and your full income tax, every deduction is more valuable to you than to a W-2 employee. Mileage is usually the biggest one. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Estimated quarterly taxes for 1099 contractors: a simple guide > How quarterly estimated tax payments work, when they're due, how to calculate them, and what happens if you skip one. **Published:** 2026-03-28 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/estimated-quarterly-taxes-1099 **Tags:** quarterly, estimated, 1099, IRS If you're a 1099 contractor and expect to owe more than $1,000 in tax, the IRS expects you to make quarterly estimated payments. Here's how it works. ## Due dates - Q1 — April 15 - Q2 — June 15 - Q3 — September 15 - Q4 — January 15 of the following year ## How to calculate Estimate your full-year income, subtract deductions (including mileage!), apply your tax bracket and self-employment tax, divide by four. Or use last year's total tax as a safe-harbor. ## Penalties for skipping The IRS charges interest on underpayments. It's not catastrophic, but it's avoidable. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # The QBI deduction explained for 1099 contractors > The Qualified Business Income deduction lets self-employed people deduct up to 20% of their business income. Here's how it works in 2026. **Published:** 2026-03-27 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/qbi-deduction-1099 **Tags:** QBI, deduction, 1099 The Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction is one of the largest, most under-claimed deductions available to 1099 contractors. Here's what it is and who qualifies. ## What it is A 20% deduction on qualified business income for sole proprietors, partners, and S-corp shareholders. So if your net business income is $80,000, you can deduct $16,000 before computing income tax. ## Income limits for 2026 The full deduction is available if your taxable income is under approximately $383,900 (MFJ) or $191,950 (single). Above that, the deduction phases out for certain service businesses. ## How to claim Most tax software handles QBI automatically once you've filled out Schedule C. If you do your own taxes, double-check Form 8995. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # The home office deduction in 2026: how much is it worth? > Simplified method vs actual expense method, what qualifies as a home office, and how to combine the deduction with the mileage deduction. **Published:** 2026-03-26 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/home-office-deduction-2026 **Tags:** home office, deduction The home office deduction has a reputation as an audit flag. That reputation is outdated. Here's how it works and how to claim it confidently. ## Two methods - Simplified — $5/sq ft, max 300 sq ft, max $1,500. - Actual expense — calculate the percentage of your home used, multiply by mortgage interest, utilities, insurance, etc. ## Bonus: home office and mileage stack If your home office is your principal place of business, driving from home to a client site counts as business mileage — not commuting. This is huge for many 1099 contractors. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How to track mileage for multiple businesses or side hustles > If you do 1099 work for more than one business, here's how to keep mileage clean for each — and why MileTracker's classification model fits. **Published:** 2026-03-25 • **Category:** Mileage tracking • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-for-multiple-businesses **Tags:** multiple, side hustle, classification Many 1099 contractors do work for multiple businesses — a delivery side hustle, a real-estate gig, a consulting practice. Each Schedule C wants its own mileage. ## Use the purpose field MileTracker lets you add a custom business purpose to each trip. Use a consistent label per business — 'Acme Consulting,' 'DoorDash,' 'Real Estate' — and your CSV export can be filtered per business. ## At tax time Sort the CSV by purpose and total each group separately. Each total goes on its own Schedule C. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Tracking mileage for self-employed photographers > Drives to shoots, scouting trips, gear runs, and weddings — the deductible mileage for photographers and how to track it. **Published:** 2026-03-24 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-for-photographers **Tags:** photographer, creative, deductions Self-employed photographers do a lot of driving — to shoots, scouting locations, gear stores, and client meetings. All of it is deductible if it's tracked. ## Common deductible drives - Wedding venues and engagement shoots - Scouting locations - Print shop and lab pickups - Camera store runs - Client meetings ## Pair mileage with gear deductions Camera bodies, lenses, lights, and editing computers are usually 100% deductible under Section 179. Stack these with your mileage deduction for a serious tax bill reduction. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Mileage tracking for handymen, plumbers, and electricians > Service trades drive constantly — between job sites, supply runs, and emergency calls. Here's how to track it all and never miss a deduction. **Published:** 2026-03-23 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-for-handymen **Tags:** trades, handyman, plumber, electrician If you run a one-truck handyman, plumbing, or electrical operation, your mileage deduction can easily clear $10,000 a year. Don't leave it on the table. ## Common deductible drives - Customer job sites - Supply houses and home improvement stores - Estimates and walk-throughs - Permits and inspections - Equipment pickups ## Standard mileage usually wins on a work truck Even on a heavier vehicle like a service truck, the standard mileage rate often beats actual expenses for high-mileage trades. Talk to a CPA, but the math is simple: mileage × $0.67. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Mileage tracking for therapists, coaches, and consultants > Driving between offices, conferences, and client meetings adds up. Here's how knowledge-work 1099 contractors should track mileage. **Published:** 2026-03-22 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-for-therapists-coaches **Tags:** therapist, coach, consultant Therapists, coaches, and consultants drive less than service trades — but their per-mile deductible value is just as high, and their classification is usually cleaner. ## Common deductible drives - Between office locations - Conference and continuing education travel - Client lunches and meetings - Professional supervision visits MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Why MileTracker uses Supabase (and what that means for you) > A look behind the scenes at MileTracker's Supabase backend — auth, row-level security, and what 'opportunistic sync' really means. **Published:** 2026-03-21 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/supabase-architecture-explained **Tags:** Supabase, architecture, engineering MileTracker uses Supabase for auth and cloud storage. Here's why we picked it and what it means for your data. ## Why Supabase - Postgres database — battle-tested, easy to back up - Row-level security keyed to your user ID - Predictable, transparent pricing - No vendor lock-in — it's standard Postgres underneath ## What it means for you Your trip data lives in a Postgres row that only you can read. We back up daily. If you ever ask for an export, we can hand you everything — and if you ask for deletion, we can purge everything. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Why MileTracker uses Sign In with Apple > Apple Sign In gives you a privacy-respecting login with no email harvesting. Here's how MileTracker uses it and what we never see. **Published:** 2026-03-20 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/apple-sign-in-privacy **Tags:** Apple Sign In, privacy, auth MileTracker uses Sign In with Apple as the primary login. It's the most privacy-respecting option in the App Store, and it makes the signup flow about three taps long. ## What we receive - A stable Apple user identifier - Your name (only if you choose to share it) - Your email (or a Hide-My-Email relay address if you prefer) ## What we never receive - A password - Your Apple ID itself - Anything we can use to identify you outside the app MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How MileTracker Pro subscriptions work (RevenueCat + Apple) > MileTracker Pro is sold through Apple via RevenueCat. Here's exactly how subscriptions, upgrades, restores, and refunds work. **Published:** 2026-03-19 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/revenuecat-subscriptions-pro **Tags:** Pro, RevenueCat, subscription MileTracker Pro is an Apple in-app subscription managed through RevenueCat. Here's what that means for you. ## Pricing - $0.99 per week — try Pro without committing to a full year - $29.99 per year — the best value, about 42% off the weekly rate ## Restoring purchases If you reinstall the app or sign in on a new device, tap Settings → Pro → Restore Purchases. RevenueCat will check your Apple ID and unlock Pro automatically. ## Refunds Apple handles all refunds at reportaproblem.apple.com. We don't have access to your payment info. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How home and work addresses help MileTracker classify smarter > Setting your home and work addresses in MileTracker makes trip classification dramatically faster. Here's why and how. **Published:** 2026-03-18 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/set-home-and-work-addresses **Tags:** settings, classification, tips MileTracker lets you save your home and work addresses in Settings. Once you do, the app can pre-classify trips and skip your daily commute entirely if it's not deductible. ## How to set them 1. Open MileTracker. 2. Tap Settings. 3. Tap 'Home address' and enter or pin yours. 4. Tap 'Work address' and do the same. ## What it changes Trips between home and work get a default 'commute' tag. Trips that start or end at unknown addresses always require a tap. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # When to add a manual trip in MileTracker > Most trips are detected automatically — but sometimes you need to add one by hand. Here's when and how. **Published:** 2026-03-17 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/manual-trip-entry **Tags:** manual, trip entry MileTracker is automatic — but life happens. Sometimes a trip is missed (you were on a flight with location off, or your phone died). Here's how to add one by hand. ## Steps 1. Tap the + button on the dashboard. 2. Enter the date and time. 3. Enter start and end addresses (or distance). 4. Add a business purpose if it's a business trip. 5. Save. ## When to use it - You forgot to enable location after a fresh iOS install. - Your phone was dead. - You were a passenger and want to log a personal trip. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How to delete or merge trips in MileTracker > Sometimes a trip gets split or recorded by accident. Here's how to delete or clean up your MileTracker history. **Published:** 2026-03-16 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 4 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/delete-a-trip-from-miletracker **Tags:** delete, edit, tips Sometimes you'll have a phantom trip — maybe you stopped for 20 minutes and the app thinks it was two trips, or maybe you were a passenger. Here's how to clean it up. ## Delete a trip 1. Open the trip detail view. 2. Tap the three-dot menu. 3. Tap Delete. ## Edit a trip From the trip detail view you can edit the purpose, notes, and classification at any time. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # What's inside a MileTracker IRS-ready PDF export > We walk through every section of the MileTracker PDF mileage log so you know exactly what your CPA is going to see. **Published:** 2026-03-15 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/miletracker-pdf-export-anatomy **Tags:** PDF, export, IRS If you've never seen a MileTracker PDF export, here's exactly what's inside. ## Page 1 — Cover Your name, the tax year, total business miles, total personal miles, and total deduction at the IRS standard mileage rate. ## Page 2 — Monthly summary Total business miles by month, with a quick chart. ## Pages 3+ — Trip log Every business trip in chronological order: date, start address, end address, distance, purpose. Personal trips are excluded from the log. ## Final page — Certification A line for your signature stating that the log is true and correct to the best of your knowledge. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How MileTracker writes for ChatGPT, Claude, and Google > We write our blog so that AI search assistants like ChatGPT and Claude can quote it. Here's the philosophy and structure we use. **Published:** 2026-03-14 • **Category:** Industry • **Reading time:** 6 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/what-is-an-ai-seo-friendly-blog **Tags:** AI SEO, GEO, content strategy When you ask ChatGPT or Claude for a recommendation on a mileage tracker, they're going to summarize what they've read on the open web. We try to write the open web articles they want to read. ## What that looks like - Direct, factual answers in the first paragraph - Short, scannable sub-headers - Numbered steps when there's a procedure - Tables when comparing options - FAQ sections that mirror real questions ## Why this matters An AI summarizer rewards sites that give clear, structured answers. A wall of text with no headers gets paraphrased badly. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # What is GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)? > Generative Engine Optimization is the practice of writing for AI search engines like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity. Here's the playbook. **Published:** 2026-03-13 • **Category:** Industry • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/what-is-geo-generative-engine-optimization **Tags:** GEO, AI SEO, content Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a fancy name for an obvious idea: write so that ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity can find you, quote you, and cite you. Here's how. ## Concrete tactics - Use semantic HTML — h1, h2, h3 in order - Front-load the answer in the first paragraph - Use bulleted and numbered lists liberally - Add JSON-LD for Article, FAQPage, Product, etc. - Cite primary sources, especially the IRS - Update content yearly — recency matters MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Mileage tracking for traveling nurses and per-diem clinicians > Traveling nurses, per-diem clinicians, and visiting therapists drive constantly between assignments. Here's the mileage playbook. **Published:** 2026-03-12 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-for-traveling-nurses **Tags:** nurse, clinician, healthcare Traveling nurses, per-diem clinicians, and visiting therapists do a lot of driving. Whether your employer 1099s you or you're a true independent contractor, mileage is one of your biggest deductible expenses. ## What's deductible - Driving between facilities in a single shift - Driving from a temporary lodging to a temporary work site - Driving for required CEUs ## What's not - Daily commute from your tax home to a regular workplace MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Small business mileage tracking: the owner's guide > If you own a small business and put miles on a personal vehicle for work, here's how to track and reimburse correctly. **Published:** 2026-03-11 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 7 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/small-business-mileage-tracking **Tags:** small business, owner, reimbursement Small business owners often use a personal vehicle for some business driving. The IRS lets you reimburse yourself at the standard mileage rate — but only if you have a log. ## Two paths - If you're a sole proprietor — deduct mileage directly on Schedule C. - If you're an S-corp or LLC taxed as one — set up an accountable plan and reimburse yourself per mile from the business account. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # What actually happens in an IRS audit (and how mileage fits in) > The truth about IRS audits — they're rarer than people think, and a clean mileage log makes them much easier to survive. **Published:** 2026-03-10 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/what-is-an-irs-audit **Tags:** audit, IRS Most contractors are scared of audits. The reality: audit rates are under 1% for individual filers, and the most common type is a correspondence audit — a letter, not a visit. ## Common triggers - Round numbers on Schedule C (e.g., $5,000 of mileage) - Disproportionately large deductions vs reported income - Math errors - Repeated losses on Schedule C ## How a mileage log helps If the IRS asks for documentation, an exported PDF mileage log with date, route, distance, and purpose typically settles the question in one round of correspondence. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # How LLC owners should track mileage for taxes > Single-member LLC, multi-member LLC, or LLC taxed as an S-corp — here's how each should handle vehicle mileage. **Published:** 2026-03-09 • **Category:** Taxes • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/tracking-mileage-as-a-llc **Tags:** LLC, S-corp, structure How you handle mileage depends on how your LLC is taxed. ## Single-member LLC (default) Treated as a sole proprietor for taxes. Deduct mileage on Schedule C. ## Multi-member LLC (default) Treated as a partnership. Mileage flows through K-1; track it the same way. ## LLC taxed as S-corp Set up an accountable plan and reimburse yourself per business mile from the business bank account. Keep the mileage log to substantiate the reimbursement. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Should you form an LLC or S-corp as a 1099 contractor? > When forming an LLC or S-corp helps a 1099 contractor, when it doesn't, and how mileage tracking fits into either structure. **Published:** 2026-03-08 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/should-you-incorporate-as-1099 **Tags:** LLC, S-corp, 1099 Most 1099 contractors start as sole proprietors. At a certain income level, forming an LLC or S-corp can save real money. Here's the framework. ## Sole proprietor — under ~$50k net Simple. No extra paperwork. Schedule C and pay self-employment tax on net income. ## LLC — wanting liability protection An LLC by itself doesn't change your taxes (still Schedule C) but gives you limited liability protection. ## S-corp — over ~$80–100k net Pay yourself a reasonable salary and take the rest as distributions, saving self-employment tax. Adds payroll complexity. ## Mileage works the same Whatever structure you pick, MileTracker logs the same trips. The deduction lands in a different place on your tax return. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Year-end mileage checklist: 7 things to do before December 31 > A short checklist for 1099 contractors to close out the year cleanly with a complete, IRS-ready mileage log. **Published:** 2026-03-07 • **Category:** Mileage tracking • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/year-end-mileage-checklist **Tags:** year-end, checklist, tax prep Don't wait until April. Spend 30 minutes in late December and your tax return will go faster, cleaner, and yield a bigger deduction. 1. Open MileTracker and clear your unclassified stack to zero. 2. Add purposes to any business trip that's missing one. 3. Take an odometer photo on December 31. 4. Export the year's PDF and CSV. 5. Save both files in a folder with your other tax documents. 6. Send the PDF to your CPA for a sanity check. 7. Note any vehicle changes (new car, etc.) for next year. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Best business bank accounts for 1099 contractors in 2026 > A separate business bank account is the #1 thing 1099 contractors should set up first. Here are the best options for solo contractors in 2026. **Published:** 2026-03-06 • **Category:** Self-employed • **Reading time:** 8 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/best-bank-account-for-1099-contractors **Tags:** banking, 1099, small business If you're 1099 and you don't have a separate business bank account, set one up this week. It's the foundation everything else (mileage, books, taxes) sits on. ## What to look for - No monthly fees for low balances - Easy 1099/Square/Stripe integration - Mobile check deposit - Sub-accounts or 'pots' for tax savings ## Pair it with a mileage tracker Once your money flow is clean, automatic mileage tracking is the next biggest win. Mileage stays in MileTracker, dollars stay in your business account, and your taxes practically write themselves. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # Mileage tracking FAQ: 25 quick answers > Quick answers to the 25 most common questions about mileage tracking, the IRS standard rate, and using a mileage tracker app like MileTracker. **Published:** 2026-03-05 • **Category:** Mileage tracking • **Reading time:** 9 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/mileage-tracking-faq **Tags:** FAQ, mileage, IRS We get the same questions over and over. Here are 25 quick answers. ## The basics ### What's the IRS standard mileage rate for 2026? $0.67 per business mile. ### Do I have to use the IRS standard rate? No. You can choose actual expenses instead, but you must pick one method in the first year you place the vehicle in service. ### Is my commute deductible? No. Driving from your home to a regular workplace is commuting and is not deductible. ## Specific drives ### Bank? Yes, if it's a business banking trip. ### Office supply store? Yes. ### Continuing education? Yes, if it's required for your trade or business. ### Lunch with a prospect? Yes, if you're meeting to discuss business. ### Charity volunteering? Yes, but at $0.14/mile and only if you itemize. ## Recordkeeping ### Do I need GPS proof of every trip? No. Date, destination, purpose, and miles is enough. ### How long do I keep records? 3 years minimum. 7 is safer. ### What if I lost some records? Reconstruct from calendar entries, work orders, and receipts. Use an automatic tracker going forward. MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. ## Frequently asked questions ### What's the IRS standard mileage rate for 2026? $0.67 per business mile. ### Do I have to use the IRS standard rate? No. You can choose actual expenses instead, but you must pick one method in the first year you place the vehicle in service. ### Is my commute deductible? No. Driving from your home to a regular workplace is commuting and is not deductible. ### Can I deduct miles to the bank? Yes, if it's a business banking trip. ### Can I deduct miles to a continuing-education class? Yes, if the education is required for your trade or business. ### Do I need GPS proof of every trip? No. The IRS wants date, destination, purpose, and miles. GPS is helpful evidence but not required. ### How long do I keep mileage records? At least 3 years; many CPAs say 7. ### Can I write off parking and tolls? Yes, in addition to standard mileage. ### Can I deduct miles for charity work? Yes, at a much lower rate ($0.14/mile) and only if you itemize. ### What if I forgot to track for part of the year? Reconstruct what you can from calendar entries, work orders, and receipts. Going forward, use an automatic tracker. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._ --- # What's coming next in MileTracker > A look at the MileTracker roadmap: more vehicles, smarter classification, Apple Watch support, and Android. **Published:** 2026-03-04 • **Category:** App guides • **Reading time:** 5 min • **Source:** https://miletracker.app/blog/miletracker-roadmap **Tags:** roadmap, future MileTracker shipped its MVP focused on solo 1099 contractors with iPhones. Here's a peek at what we're working on next. ## Coming soon - Smarter auto-classification using your home/work addresses and time-of-day patterns - Apple Watch quick-classify - Bulk classify by selecting a date range - Per-vehicle reports and exports - Android version MileTracker detects every drive in the background, lets you classify business or personal in one tap, and exports an IRS-ready PDF and CSV at tax time. Download MileTracker free on the App Store. --- _MileTracker — Automatic mileage tracking for 1099 contractors. Published at https://miletracker.app._