Is Mileage to Rental Properties Tax-Deductible?
Tax PlanningQuestion
I received an email from my tax advisor that said I could deduct car mileage to and from my rental property.
I don’t think this is right. I think the trip from my home to and from my rental property is a non-deductible personal commute. But I would love to be wrong. Am I wrong?
Answer
No—unfortunately, you are right. Your mileage between home and the rental property is commuting mileage. It’s not deductible.
We’ll get to that in a moment, but first we have to say that the email you received did contain the right tips telling you to track your mileage; dates; odometer readings; and reasons for the mileage, such as making repairs, checking out prospective tenants, and collecting rents.
Now, let’s go back to your mileage. The trips from home to and from your rental properties are non-deductible personal commutes.
But if your rental properties rise to the level of a business, then you could install an office in your home (a home office), and that would make the trips from your home to and from your properties deductible.