Overpaying Taxes? Here’s How to Stop Losing Money

Q: What’s the easiest way to track mileage and stop overpaying taxes?

Using a mileage tracking app like MileageWise automates the process, ensuring every mile is logged accurately . The app provides IRS-compliant records , saving you time and maximizing deductions.

Every year, millions of taxpayers unknowingly pay more than they owe. Are you one of them? Overpaying taxes happens when you miss out on deductions, fail to track expenses, or overlook key tax breaks. One of the biggest mistakes people make is not tracking their mileage properly—which means leaving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on the table.

If you drive for work, tracking mileage is a simple way to reduce your taxable income and keep more money in your pocket. But many people forget to log their miles, use outdated methods, or don’t even realize they qualify for a deduction. Let’s break down how you could be overpaying taxes and the easiest way to stop it.

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How Overpaying Taxes Costs You More Than You Think

Tax overpayment isn’t just an occasional mistake. It’s a widespread issue that affects 1099 earners (self-employed individuals, gig workers, and small business owners) the most. The IRS estimates that millions of taxpayers don’t claim deductions they qualify for, either because they aren’t aware of them or because they lack the records to back up their claims.

For example, the IRS standard mileage rate for 2025 is 70 cents per mile. That means if you drive 10,000 business miles in a year, you could deduct $7,000 from your taxable income. Without proper records, though, this deduction might be lost.

Common Reasons People Overpay Taxes

Forgetting to track business expenses
Not keeping accurate mileage records
Assuming small deductions don’t add up
Using outdated methods like spreadsheets or paper logs
Failing to separate personal and business trips properly

If you don’t track your miles, you’re giving away money to the IRS. But there’s an easy fix.

Mileage Tracking: The Secret to Reducing Your Tax Bill

Mileage deductions are one of the most overlooked tax breaks, especially among freelancers, independent contractors, and small business owners. Whether you drive for Uber, Lyft, or DoorDash, or visit clients regularly, mileage is a real business expense, just like office supplies or equipment.

Who Qualifies for a Mileage Deduction?

If you use your personal vehicle for business-related travel, you may qualify. This includes:

Rideshare and delivery drivers
Contractors and field service workers
Sales representatives and consultants
Medical professionals making home visits
Real estate agents meeting and escorting clients

The key is accurate record-keeping. The IRS requires a detailed mileage log showing:

The starting and ending odometer readings of the year
The date of each trip
Starting and ending locations
Purpose of the trip (business/charity/medical/moving/personal)
Total miles driven

Without this, your deduction could be rejected in an audit. That’s where the right tool makes all the difference.

How to Stop Overpaying Taxes with Automatic Mileage Tracking

Tracking miles manually is time-consuming and easy to forget. That’s why many business owners and gig workers use MileageWise, a mileage-tracking app designed to automate the process and ensure every mile is logged correctly.

Why MileageWise?

Automatic tracking – Never miss a mile again
AI-powered log reconstruction – Forgot to track a trip? The app fills in missing mileage
100% IRS-compliant – No risk of losing deductions in case of an audit
No ads, no upsells – Unlike other mileage trackers, MileageWise keeps things simple and distraction-free

Imagine getting a bigger tax refund just by tracking your miles correctly. With an easy-to-use app, you can stop overpaying taxes and maximize your savings.

Start Tracking & Stop Overpaying Taxes Today

If you drive for work and aren’t tracking your mileage, you’re paying too much in taxes. With the IRS mileage rate at 70 cents per mile, every mile you log can put more money back in your pocket.

Level Up Your Mileage Tracking

MileageWise: Tracks trips automatically via vehicle movement, Bluetooth, and Plug’N’Go without draining your battery.
AI-Powered Mileage Recovery: The AI Wizard helps reconstruct past mileage logs, filling gaps in your log to ensure compliance.
Built-in IRS Auditor: Checks and corrects up to 70 logical errors in logs, ensuring they meet IRS standards for tax deductions.
Web Dashboard & Team Collaboration: Manage logs, import trips, and collaborate with teams through the web dashboard, ideal for businesses.