Home Inspector Mileage Deduction: Track Miles Between Properties (2026)
Home inspectors drive to every property — often 2-4 inspections per day spread across cities, suburbs, and rural areas. With properties 15-30 miles apart and additional driving for re-inspections, meetings with agents, and training, full-time inspectors log 20,000-30,000 business miles per year.
At 72.5 cents per mile in 2026, that is a $14,500-$21,750 deduction — likely your single largest write-off.
What Miles Are Deductible
- Driving to each property inspection
- Driving between inspections on multi-inspection days
- Driving home (if home is your business base — standard for inspectors)
- Re-inspections and callbacks
- Meeting real estate agents or clients
- Driving to training, certification exams, or CE courses
- Equipment supply runs
Typical Inspector Mileage
| Inspections/Day | Avg. Drive Between | Annual Miles | Annual Deduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 (part-time) | 20 mi each way | 10,000-15,000 | $7,250-$10,875 |
| 2-3 (regular) | 20 mi each way | 18,000-25,000 | $13,050-$18,125 |
| 3-4 (full-time) | 25 mi each way | 25,000-35,000 | $18,125-$25,375 |
Inspection Equipment Deductions
Immediately Deductible (Under $2,500 each)
- Moisture meters, electrical testers, gas detectors
- Ladders, flashlights, outlet testers
- Radon test kits, carbon monoxide detectors
- Safety equipment — hard hat, glasses, gloves, respirator
Section 179 / Depreciation (Over $2,500)
- Thermal imaging camera ($3,000-$8,000)
- Drone for roof inspections ($2,500-$5,000)
- Sewer camera/scope ($3,000-$6,000)
- Radon continuous monitor ($2,500+)
Other Home Inspector Deductions
- Inspection software — Spectora, HomeGauge, InspectIT subscriptions
- Phone and tablet — for report writing on-site (business percentage)
- Insurance — E&O (errors and omissions), general liability
- Continuing education — InterNACHI courses, state CE requirements
- Marketing — website, agent referral lunches, Google Ads
- Association memberships — ASHI, InterNACHI dues
- Report delivery and printing
How to Track
- Use a mileage tracker app — start before driving to your first inspection, stop when you get home
- Your inspection software IS your corroboration — it records which property, when, and the address. This proves business purpose for every trip.
- Scan gas receipts with FuelSnap for supporting documentation
- Keep equipment receipts organized by cost (under/over $2,500 threshold)
A home inspector performing 3 inspections per day, 5 days per week, tracking all miles saves $14,500-$22,000+ in mileage deductions alone. Combined with equipment and software deductions, total annual write-offs easily reach $20,000-$30,000.
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