Simplified expenses on motor vehicles
19/02/2026

There are simplified expenses arrangements available for sole traders and business partnerships (with no corporate partner) that allow the use of fixed mileage rates instead of working out the actual costs of buying and running a vehicle (such as fuel, insurance, servicing and repairs). This simplified method is optional, but if you choose to use it for a specific vehicle, you must continue to use it for that vehicle for as long as it is used for business purposes. The simplified expenses regime is not available to limited companies or partnerships involving a corporate partner.

Under simplified expenses, the following flat rates per business mile are available for vehicle costs that are wholly and exclusively for business use:

Vehicle type

Flat rate per mile

Cars and goods vehicles – first 10,000 miles

45p

Cars and goods vehicles – after 10,000 miles

25p

Motorcycles

24p

The number of people in the vehicle does not affect the rates above. The rates are only available for journeys, or any identifiable part or proportion of a journey, that are wholly and exclusively for business purposes. For example, travel from home to work is not a qualifying journey.

The self-employed can continue to claim for other costs not covered by the flat rate for mileage such as parking, tolls, and congestion fees as well as other separate travel expenses such as train journeys.


About Us

The practice was established in 1987 by Stephen Lofthouse who had previous experience in medium and large accounting firms and for 15 years was a financial and managing director in commercial firms.  During this time he was the owner and publisher of the taxation books `Taxation Simplified` for the self employed and individual tax payer and `Smiths Taxation` a comprehensive taxation journal for tax professionals.

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36 Ropergate
Pontefract
West Yorkshire
WF8 1LY

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Email: info@lofthouseandco.co.uk

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