Automatically track mileage in QuickBooks Self-Employed

Learn how to use the QuickBooks Self-Employed mobile app to automatically track your business miles.

If you travel for work and plan to write-off your trips, use the QuickBooks Self-Employed app to track your mileage. All you have to do is turn on the app and let QuickBooks take care of the rest. Here's how to set everything up and start tracking your mileage.

You can also add trips manually if you ever forget to take your device with you. Or, learn how to fix mileage tracking issues for iOS or Android.

Step 1: Turn on mileage tracking

1. Open the QuickBooks Self-Employed mobile app.
2. Select the Menu ☰ icon.
3. Select the Mileage menu.
4. Select and turn on Auto-tracking.
5. After you turn on Auto-Tracking for the first time, you’ll need to authorize the app to use location services. Select your device to see the next steps:

Android devices

• For Android OS version 10 and below, select Allow, then Allow all the time.
• For Android OS version 11 and above, select Allow in settings, then Allow all the time.

Learn more about Android location settings.

Apple devices

1. Select Allow Once.
2. Then, open Settings on your device.
3. Tap Privacy.
4. Tap Location Services.
5. Find and tap the QuickBooks Self-Employed app.
6. Select Always.

Learn more about Apple location settings.

Step 2: Track business mileage

QuickBooks automatically detects and tracks everything from start to finish.

Just take your mobile device with you and open the QuickBooks Self-Employed mobile app when you start driving. We'll take care of the rest.

Step 3: Categorize your trips

When you’ve reached your destination, review your trip:

1. Select Mileage on the menu.
2. Find and categorize your trip. To categorize it as Business, swipe left. For Personal, swipe right.
3. If this was a business trip, add a business purpose. You can also tag a vehicle, but this is optional.
4. When you’re done, select Save.

QuickBooks moves your reviewed trips to the Reviewed tab.

Next steps: Edit or delete an existing trip

1. Select Mileage on the menu and then select the Reviewed tab.
2. Find and open the trip.
3. Select Edit.
4. Make your changes.
5. Select Save.

To delete a trip, open and edit it. Then select the Trash can icon (Android) or Delete Trip (iPhone).