Why Tracking Mileage Saves Doulas Money

Why Bother Tracking Mileage?

Picture this: you're driving 20 miles to a client's house for a prenatal chat, then 15 miles to the hospital for a birth, and maybe 10 more miles for a postpartum visit later that week. That's 45 miles in just a few days! As a doula, you're self-employed, which means all those trips are business expenses. The IRS (yep, the tax folks) lets you deduct those miles from your taxes, lowering what you owe. But here's the catch—you've got to track them.

Tracking mileage isn't just about staying organized; it's about claiming what's yours. Every mile you log could mean real savings, especially when tax season rolls around. And trust me, those little savings add up faster than you might think!

How Mileage Tracking Saves You Money

Let's talk numbers. The IRS sets a standard mileage rate every year, and for 2025, it's 70 cents per mile for business use. That's right—every mile you drive for work is worth 70 cents off your taxable income. Here's a quick example:

• Scenario: You drive 1,000 miles in a year for doula gigs (client visits, births, workshops—you name it).
• Math: 1,000 miles x $0.70 = $700.
• Result: You can deduct $700 from your taxable income. If you're in a 22% tax bracket, that's about $154 back in your pocket!

Now imagine you're not tracking those miles. That's $154 (or more!) you're leaving on the table. For a busy doula, mileage could easily hit 2,000 or 3,000 miles a year—meaning you're talking hundreds of dollars in savings. That's money for new supplies, a cozy coffee date, or even a little treat for yourself after a long birth!

Real-Life Doula Example

Let's meet Sarah, a doula in a mid-sized city. She supports five clients a month, driving about 50 miles per client for meetings and births. That's 250 miles monthly, or 3,000 miles a year. Without tracking, she'd miss out on:

• 3,000 miles x $0.70 = $2,100 in deductions.
• In her 22% tax bracket, that's $462 she'd lose.

But Sarah's smart—she tracks every trip. She uses that $462 to invest in a new birth ball and some online courses to level up her skills. Tracking mileage didn't just save her money; it helped her grow her business!

Why It's a Must for Doulas

Doulas are on the move a lot, and unlike a 9-to-5 job, you're not getting reimbursed by a boss. You're your own boss, which is awesome—but it also means you've got to be on top of your expenses. The IRS requires "comprehensive and contemporaneous records" (fancy way of saying "track it as you go") if you want to claim those deductions. No guessing allowed! If they ever audit you (rare, but it happens), a solid mileage log is your best friend.

Plus, tracking can help you spot patterns. Maybe you're driving farther than you need to for certain clients. Could you bundle visits or tweak your schedule? It's not just about taxes—it's about working smarter.

How Kins Makes It Easy

Here's where my app, Kins, comes in. I built Kins to help doulas like you manage the behind-the-scenes stuff, and mileage tracking is a big part of that. With Kins, you can:

• Log Miles on the Go: Just swipe after a trip to mark it as business or personal. No scribbling in a notebook!
• Export Reports: Need a mileage log for taxes? Kins generates an IRS-friendly report in seconds. Hand it to your accountant, and you're golden.

I got the idea for Kins after seeing how clunky our doula's tools were when my son was born. If it can save you time and money, I'm all for it. Try it out, and let me know what you think!

Tips to Get Started

1. Start Today: Don't wait—every mile counts. Even if you've missed some, you can reconstruct past trips using your calendar and Google Maps (just keep it honest!).
2. Keep It Simple: Use Kins, a mileage app, or even a notebook in your car. Pick what works for you.
3. Separate Business from Personal: Only log miles for doula work—trips to the grocery store don't count.
4. Save Records: The IRS says keep logs for at least three years, just in case.

Official Word from the IRS

Want the official scoop? The IRS updated the 2025 mileage rate to 70 cents per mile for business travel (up from 67 cents in 2024). You can check it out on their site here. They're clear: accurate logs are a must for deductions. No logs, no savings—it's that simple.

Wrap-Up: Your Miles, Your Money

Tracking mileage might sound like a chore, but it's a small step with a big payoff. As doulas, you're already juggling so much—let this be an easy win. With tools like Kins, you can log miles, export reports, and keep more of your hard-earned cash. So next time you're driving to a birth, remember: those miles are more than just a journey—they're a ticket to savings!

Got questions or tips of your own? Get in touch with me here - I'd love to hear from you!

Happy tracking,
Davidson
Creator of Kins