What if my employer pays less than the approved mileage rate?

You may be able to claim tax relief on the difference, known as Mileage Allowance Relief, through HMRC. MileRate can show the shortfall; claims are made with HMRC, not through this site.

Is MileRate official tax advice?

No. MileRate is a free calculator based on published HMRC rates. It does not collect personal data and it is not tax, legal or financial advice.

Work out your UK mileage claim in under a minute

Built for employees and freelancers who drive their own car, van, motorbike or bike for work. Uses the current HMRC approved mileage rates, including the rise to 55p from 6 April 2026.

Your miles

Tax year Rates change on 6 April

Vehicle

Car / van Motorcycle Bicycle

Business miles to claim This claim only Miles already claimed this tax year Cars/vans only — for the 10,000 threshold

Passenger miles Fellow employees on the same work journey Passengers on those miles Usually 1

Already paid by employer (optional) If they paid less than the approved rate, see the shortfall below

Your result

Approved mileage amount

£0.00

Enter your miles to see the claim.

PRO COMING SOON

Trip log and claim pack

The calculator stays free. A paid Pro version is on the way for people who want a saved trip log, a printable claim sheet and a year-end CSV export. Nothing to buy yet.

Save trips with date, from/to postcodes and reason
Printable claim sheet for your employer or accountant
CSV export for the full tax year
Running total against the 10,000-mile band

Rates used on this page

Taken from the published HMRC approved mileage rates. Passenger payments are 5p per passenger per mile for cars and vans only.

Cars and vans 2026/27: 55p first 10,000 miles, then 25p
2025/26: 45p first 10,000 miles, then 25p

Motorcycles 24p per mile (all miles, both tax years)

Bicycles 20p per mile (all miles, both tax years)

Guides and tools that go with the calculator

Advisory fuel rates

Company car AFR from 1 September 2026 for petrol, diesel, LPG and electric.

Is my commute claimable?

Ordinary commuting vs temporary workplaces and the 24-month rule.

Simplified expenses vs actual

Compare the flat mileage rate with your real running costs if you are self-employed.

Fuel cost per trip

Estimate pump spend from miles, MPG and price, separate from the 55p rate.

EV advisory electricity rate

7p home and 15p public for fully electric company cars.

Bike and passenger rates

24p motorcycle, 20p bicycle, 5p passenger payments.

Mileage Allowance Relief

What to do when your employer pays less than the approved rate.

Free mileage log template

CSV and printable log that matches what HMRC asks for on claims.

45p to 55p rate change

What changed on 6 April 2026 for approved car and van rates.

Quick answers

What counts as a business mile?

Travel you make for work in your own vehicle, not your ordinary commute from home to a permanent workplace. Temporary workplaces and journeys between sites usually count. Your employer or tax adviser can confirm edge cases.

Why does the tax year matter?

From 6 April 2026 the approved rate for cars and vans rose from 45p to 55p for the first 10,000 business miles in the tax year. Pick the year that matches the miles you are claiming.

What if my employer pays less than the approved rate?

You may be able to claim tax relief on the difference (Mileage Allowance Relief). Enter what they paid and we show the shortfall. Claims are made through HMRC, not through this site. Read the relief guide.

Is this official tax advice?

No. MileRate is a free calculator based on published rates. It does not collect personal data and it does not replace advice from HMRC or a qualified adviser.