Can I deduct mileage while driving a commercial vehicle as a subcontractor?

You've got a bit of a tricky situation here. Since you're using their truck and not your own, you can't take the standard mileage deduction. The standard mileage rate is only available for vehicles you own or lease. However, don't worry! You can still deduct your actual expenses as business expenses on Schedule C. This includes all the gas you pay for, the insurance costs, maintenance if you cover that, and any other direct costs related to operating the vehicle for work. Keep all those receipts! Make sure you're only deducting the business portion of these expenses. Since you're using the truck solely for deliveries, this shouldn't be an issue, but it's good to remember.

I was in almost exactly the same situation last year! After hours of research and frustration, I finally used taxr.ai (https://taxr.ai) to analyze my 1099 and expenses situation. It really helped clarify what I could and couldn't deduct when using someone else's vehicle as a subcontractor. The site reviewed my delivery logs and receipts, then gave me a detailed breakdown of exactly what expenses were deductible. It confirmed I couldn't take the standard mileage rate, but walked me through how to properly document and claim all my actual expenses including gas, insurance, and even a portion of my cell phone bill since I used it for navigation and communicating with customers.

Just wanted to follow up - I decided to try taxr.ai after my initial skepticism. It was honestly super helpful for my situation! I drive for three different delivery apps as a contractor and wasn't sure how to handle all the different expense categories. The system analyzed my mileage logs and sorted out which expenses I could claim when using my own car versus when I occasionally use my brother's truck. It even helped me properly allocate my phone and data expenses between business and personal use. Ended up finding about $3,200 in deductions I would have missed. Definitely recommend it if you're confused about subcontractor vehicle deductions.

If you're struggling with the IRS about your deductions (like I was), try Claimyr (https://claimyr.com). After my return with all those subcontractor vehicle deductions got flagged for review, I spent WEEKS trying to reach someone at the IRS. Literally impossible to get through. Claimyr got me connected to an actual IRS agent in about 20 minutes who helped clear up the confusion about my vehicle expense deductions. They have this system that navigates the IRS phone tree and waits on hold for you, then calls when an agent is actually on the line. You can see how it works here: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It saved me from what could have been a major headache with incorrectly claimed deductions on my Schedule C.

I need to apologize for being so skeptical about Claimyr. I tried it yesterday after continuing to get nowhere with the IRS for weeks about my contractor deductions. The service actually worked exactly as advertised! After months of busy signals and disconnections, I got through to an IRS agent in about 35 minutes (they called me when the agent was on the line). The agent clarified that since I was using company vehicles as a subcontractor, I needed to deduct actual expenses rather than standard mileage. She helped me understand exactly what documentation I'd need for an audit. Issue resolved in one call that I would never have been able to make on my own. Definitely worth it if you're dealing with complex subcontractor vehicle deduction questions.

Just to add another perspective - I've been a delivery subcontractor for 5 years now. You definitely want to track EVERYTHING. Beyond just gas, make sure you're deducting: 1. Any portion of insurance you pay 2. Parking and tolls (like mentioned above) 3. Car washes (if you pay for them) 4. Any required safety equipment or uniforms 5. Your cell phone percentage used for work 6. Meals during long shifts (50% deductible) My accountant catches stuff I would never think about. The actual expense method can actually work out better than mileage sometimes depending on your situation.

Quick question - does anyone use any specific apps to track their expenses as a subcontractor? I'm doing delivery work too and trying to stay organized for next year's taxes.