Table of Contents
A year-end odometer reading records your vehicle’s miles on the last day of the year. It’s key for taxes, business miles, and keeping your car’s history straight.
Why You Need That Year-End Odometer Reading
Knowing your year-end odometer reading is super important for a few big reasons. Think of it as a yearly check-up for your car’s mileage.
First off, the IRS cares. If you use your car for work or business and want to write off mileage on your taxes, you need to show how much you drove. The IRS needs your odometer readings from the start and end of the year to prove your miles are correct. This helps you claim tax write-offs.
Getting your year-end odometer reading also helps you separate miles driven for work from personal trips. This makes sure your tax deductions are valid and follow the rules.
Keeping good records, including your year-end odometer reading, protects you if the IRS ever checks your taxes. Having a clear log, maybe with receipts, makes an audit much less stressful.
Also, having good odometer records helps when you buy or sell a car. It makes sure everyone knows the car’s true mileage and helps stop fraud.
FAQ
What is a year-end odometer reading?
A year-end odometer reading is the mileage displayed on your vehicle’s odometer at the close of the calendar year (typically December 31), used as a baseline to calculate total annual mileage.
Why is the year-end reading important?
Recording this reading ensures you accurately determine the total miles driven during the year, essential for calculating deductible business mileage and supporting IRS-compliant reports.
How do I capture and use my year-end odometer reading?
Note your odometer’s display on December 31 (or your company’s fiscal year-end), then subtract your starting-year reading to find total mileage; you can record this manually or use tools like MileageWise to automate and store the reading. It can even calculate your past odometer readings.
Try MileageWise for free for 14 days. No credit card required!
Related Terms

Introducing the Google Timeline to Mileage Log Mobile App
We’re excited to share our latest development! You can now convert your Google Maps Timeline drives directly into an IRS-compliant mileage log right on your

DoorDash Tips and Tricks: Your Edge Over Competition
Last Updated: November 17, 2025 I’m excited to share the top DoorDash tips and tricks shared by YouTuber Pedro “Mr.BetonYou” Santiago. He collected and vetted the

8 Uber and Lyft Scams Every Driver Should Know
Last Updated: November 9, 2025 Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a rewarding gig, offering flexibility and the chance to meet new people. However,
SherpaShare Shutdown – What To Do Now?
Last Updated: October 7, 2025 SherpaShare was a service designed primarily for people who work as independent contractors, particularly those in the ride-sharing and delivery
Gas Mileage Tracker: Your Key to Savings
Last Updated: August 8, 2025 A gas mileage tracker helps drivers watch their vehicle’s fuel use, mileage, and related costs. You might want one to

How To Track Miles on iPhone: Find your Match
Last Updated: August 6, 2025 Looking to track miles on your iPhone? Whether it’s for fitness, personal use, or business tax deductions, your iPhone offers
Related Guides



It’s Finally Here! Google Maps Timeline Import from Mobiles
Transform your Trip Lists into Mileage Logs with MileageWise

Introducing the Google Timeline to Mileage Log Mobile App
We’re excited to share our latest development! You can now convert your Google Maps Timeline drives directly into an IRS-compliant mileage log right on your

DoorDash Tips and Tricks: Your Edge Over Competition
Last Updated: November 17, 2025 I’m excited to share the top DoorDash tips and tricks shared by YouTuber Pedro “Mr.BetonYou” Santiago. He collected and vetted the

8 Uber and Lyft Scams Every Driver Should Know
Last Updated: November 9, 2025 Driving for Uber or Lyft can be a rewarding gig, offering flexibility and the chance to meet new people. However,
SherpaShare Shutdown – What To Do Now?
Last Updated: October 7, 2025 SherpaShare was a service designed primarily for people who work as independent contractors, particularly those in the ride-sharing and delivery
Gas Mileage Tracker: Your Key to Savings
Last Updated: August 8, 2025 A gas mileage tracker helps drivers watch their vehicle’s fuel use, mileage, and related costs. You might want one to

How To Track Miles on iPhone: Find your Match
Last Updated: August 6, 2025 Looking to track miles on your iPhone? Whether it’s for fitness, personal use, or business tax deductions, your iPhone offers

Introducing the Google Timeline to Mileage Log Mobile App
We’re excited to share our latest development! You can now convert your Google Maps Timeline drives directly into an IRS-compliant mileage log right on your

Was Your Google Timeline Deleted? Here’s What Happened:
Last updated: November 20, 2025 If you recently opened Google Maps and noticed your Timeline was deleted or partially missing, you’re not alone. In this

It’s Finally Here! Google Maps Timeline Import from Mobiles
Struggling to Manage Your Trips After Google’s Timeline Update? If you’re reading this, you’ve likely encountered the recent update affecting Google Maps Timeline. With Timeline
Transform your Trip Lists into Mileage Logs with MileageWise
Last Updated: October 1, 2025 Do you have a list of monthly trips from a data source like Excel or Google Timeline, but need to

How to Download Google Timeline Data: A Guide
Google Timeline Import Hub Last Updated: October 30, 2025 Want to download Google Timeline data? This guide shows you how to extract your location history

How to Export Google Maps Timeline: Get Your Data
Google Timeline Import Hub Last Updated: October 29, 2025 It can be tricky to export Google Maps Timeline data after Google’s recent updates. Many users
Google Maps Mileage Tracker: From Timeline to Mileage Log
Google Timeline Import Hub Last Updated: October 29, 2025 If you’re an active user of Google Maps Timeline you likely already know how convenient it
Timeero
Table of Contents Timeero Timeero is a time, location, and mileage tracking app designed for businesses and teams in the United States. It helps employers
Milewise by Allstate
Table of Contents Milewise by Allstate Milewise by Allstate is a pay-per-mile car insurance program offered by Allstate Insurance in the United States. It’s designed
Hurldr
Table of Contents Hurdlr Hurdlr is a finance and expense tracking app designed for self-employed professionals, freelancers, and gig workers in the United States. It
