Is this Deductible Mileage or is it part of my Commute?

[Steve R.]

Hi All,

I'm confused about whether I can deduct this mileage. Here is the situation...

I commute 15 miles to work every morning and after work I often stop by one of my rentals, which are in the same town, to pick up rent, do maintenance, etc.. Am I only allowed to deduct the mileage from work to the rental or can I deduct from work to the rental and then from the rental to home?

Any insight would be appreciated!

[Natalie Kolodij]

I wold take the amount of miles that are out of your way. Literally print Google maps and then where you'd show you were detouring from your standard fastest route home...takes miles from that point to he rental. And the distance from home back to your normal route. 

Its a gray area open to discretion. In event of an audit they'll disallows it all if it looks too similar to your normal commute. I'd be consecutive but just have proof....and show your detours then just log that distance each day.