Work out the mileage you can actually claim, without HMRC pushing back.
For sole traders and subbies who drive to site. Compares HMRC simplified rates against actual costs and tells you which one leaves you better off.
If this is your first claim this tax year, leave this as 0.
This uses HMRC's simplified mileage rates for self-employed people with their own car or van. It's an estimate of your business expense for tax — not cash paid to you by HMRC.
What counts as business mileage?
- Travelling between jobs, sites, customers, or suppliers
- Going to the merchant or tip for a specific job
- Visiting a client to quote or inspect
Normal commuting to a permanent workplace does not count.
What the law actually says
- •HMRC simplified mileage rates are 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year, then 25p after that, for cars and vans.
- •Once you choose simplified or actual costs for a vehicle, you have to stick with that method until you change vehicle.
- •Ordinary commuting to a permanent workplace is not claimable. Travel to site (a temporary workplace) usually is.
What to do next
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