Vehicle Mileage Deduction In Washington
The vehicle mileage deduction allows self-employed workers and business owners to deduct the cost of driving for work purposes using the IRS standard mileage rate, which is 70 cents per mile for 2025. Qualifying trips include travel to client sites, job locations, supply runs, and other ordinary business activities. Commuting from home to a regular workplace does not qualify.
Washington has no state income tax, so the mileage deduction applies only at the federal level on Schedule C or Schedule E. However, Washington workers who operate as sole proprietors, gig workers, or independent contractors still benefit significantly from reducing their federal taxable income and self-employment tax liability.
Accurate mileage logs are essential to claim this deduction. Records should include the date, destination, business purpose, and miles driven for each trip. Washington-based drivers in industries like real estate, construction, delivery, and home services tend to accumulate high annual mileage and often leave this deduction unclaimed due to poor recordkeeping.