Mileage Log for 1099 Contractors
Independent contractors and freelancers drive for clients, meetings, and supply runs all year — but most mileage apps charge $40 or more annually just to record what you drove. That subscription comes straight out of the deduction it is supposed to help you capture.
MileHawk is a free manual mileage tracker that gives 1099 workers unlimited trip logging, Business rate calculations, and one-tap PDF or CSV export — everything the IRS needs to support a Schedule C deduction, at no cost. Log odometer readings at departure and arrival, add a business purpose, and your contemporaneous record is complete.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use MileHawk to track mileage for Schedule C?
Yes. MileHawk logs each trip with date, odometer start and end, purpose, and calculated miles. You can export that history to PDF or CSV and hand it directly to your accountant or attach it to your Schedule C records.
What IRS mileage rate does MileHawk use for contractors?
MileHawk applies the Business rate by default and updates the standard IRS rate each year. You can also set a custom per-mile rate if your client or employer reimburses at a different amount.
Is a manual odometer log more defensible for an IRS audit than GPS tracking?
The IRS requires a contemporaneous record of date, destination, business purpose, and miles driven. Odometer-based entries that are logged at the time of each trip meet that standard directly. GPS auto-tracking apps can raise questions about personal vs. business trips, while a manual log with odometer readings leaves no ambiguity.
Does MileHawk have a cap on how many trips I can log?
No. MileHawk allows unlimited trips, unlimited vehicles, and unlimited reports with no cap and no subscription. The app is free to download and supported by non-intrusive mobile ads.
Can I log multiple vehicles as a 1099 contractor?
Yes. You can add as many vehicles as you use for business, each with its own trip history and reports. This is useful if you switch between a personal car and a work van, or if you track a side business separately from your main one.
How do I export my mileage report for tax filing?
From the Reports section in MileHawk, select a date range, choose Business (or any other rate category), and export as PDF for a formatted summary or CSV for a raw spreadsheet. Both formats include all trip details needed for tax documentation.
I already use a paid mileage app. Is it easy to switch to MileHawk?
MileHawk is free to download. You can start logging immediately without canceling anything else first. Once you are satisfied with the log quality, you can simply stop renewing your existing subscription at its next renewal date.