921,504
There are three popular methods for keeping milage logs.
- The paper trail
- Standard deduction
- The interactive trail
- The passive trail (passive meaning no daily interaction)
Most agents rely on the paper trail.
Some agents use an app to enter milage as it occurs. This is simply a digital version of the paper trail.
The milezip program combines historic location of listing, manual entry for buyers and your movements as reported by your cell phone app.
The end result is a compreshensvie report of every encounter of historic data which intersects cell phone locaton. Also calculates derived milage based on the 'routes' concept.
The mileage report is printed as needed.
Make certain to tell'em who sent you.
That would be me, Annette Lawrence
Go to: MileZip.com
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Phillip Kochan
Hereford, OR
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
150,416
Quickbooks which I use for my accounting, also has an app. that you can log your miles into, or you can even use your phones location services to keep track.
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Lisa Von Domek
Dallas, TX
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
3,727,873
A little spiral notebook and pen in the center compartment in my car.
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William Feela
North Branch, MN
3,344,906
The oldest most trusted, reliable app ever created since man.
Paper and pen written by my hand. Nothing is easier than that.
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Lisa Von Domek
Dallas, TX
5,048,708
232,019
1,543,225
I just total my mileage from Jan1-Dec 31 each year, and then share with my CPA the % used for business, which I actually think she uses a standard calculation. I have a second vehicle, so it's easier for me to claim majority business on my "real estate" car.
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Lisa Von Domek
Dallas, TX
67,369
I have any awesome app using MileIQ. It will email you to update info on your drives. Good Luck
4,935,551
5,868,372
I did hear of an app on your phone you record when you leave and when you return, but cannot remember it. I have a small spiral notebook in the side pocket of both cars and keep track of the miles manually.
98,823
In short, I don't use an app. I track business-related miles by printing to PDF a map of each business-related route from Google Maps then I upload that PDF to Quickbooks online into an invoice with other supporting documentation.
In long: thanks for the blog post inspiration! :0)
823,579
5,215,498
2,538,633
Good morning Tony. I don't track mileage at all, I don't use it as a deduction.
35,544
MileIQ. It's rated #1 in the app store. It's pretty awesome. You get 40 free drives a month, or you can get a subscription (which pays for itself almost right away). Everytime you get in the car, it tracks your miles without even having to open it up. Some people might be concerned about that, but I think it's totally worth it
3,164,119
321,564
2,685
Thanks to Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 for mentioning MileZip.com. I'm Phil Kochan, the founder.
For over 13 years, we've helped many thousands of real estate agents PASS their mileage log audits with flying colors.
We're the ONLY solution tailored to real estate agents. We are fully integrated into 100's of MLS systems and in those MLSs MileZip often generate 100's of pages logs with all miles calculated covering up to 5 years years in about 30 seconds of effort. Compare this 5 years of pen and penciling or being interrupted 25,000 times by a mindless 'tracking app'. :)
The average agent who does not have a complete mileage log under reports their mileage deduction by $6000. So whatever you do, make sure you are confident of your mileage log and claim the miles you deserve! :)
I feel I should respond to a few of the answers below:
Please NEVER claim 100% business use. Biggest audit flag in the world. You're claiming that for an entire year you never stopped to pick up a gallon of milk or your kid at school. Claim 95% and have a mileage log to back it up. This is detailed in our '3 Tricks IRS Agents Use to Reject Your Mileage Log' at www.MileZip.com/LP/ThreeTricks.
Writing down 1/1 and 12/31 odometer reading means nothing without a proper log. There is NO 'standard' percentage of business use and if your accountant picks one for you, then he/she will get in trouble with the IRS.
713,282
3,986,258
I use a lead pencil in my paper calander note book. I can record an entry faster than typing it into an app or computer
96,384
TripLog synchs with car and phone - allowing you to categorize each trip (business, personal, etc...). My favorite feature is being able to enter the odometer miles (once) and it keeps track from then on (:
One month free ~ then $25/year after that
1,502,848
I've seen some systems, like MileageIQ, that interact with the car and automatically pop-up on your in-dash system asking you if the trip is business or personal.
1,466,207
1,622,432
I use a certain credit card to fill up my car with gas. But since I have only one car that I use for both: personal and business, my CPA just divides my millage and all car related expanses.
1,153,794
As long as I have an odometer and digital recorder the tracking is pretty straightforward Tony. It also hones my arithmetic skills at the end of the week, day or month when I reconcile the mileage.
4,800,082
1,239,801
2,684,009
Reading the answers; looking for a better solution. I am still pen on paper.
6,392,889
One vehicle for business, one vehicle for personal. Keep them separate, be strict about this and you will only have to record that mileage once a year.
2,707,721
I took the easy way out Tony Whiteside, two cars - one for work and one for personal.
3,071,489
interesting question - parked and reading! I like the response from Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041