How to Track Mileage in QuickBooks Online
What doesn’t work well
I have tried using the QuickBooks Online (QBO) app on my new Android phone to record trips. Unfortunately, there were a few issues.
It didn’t always record my return trips. I had to log into QBO on the web and manually record the trip.
The app requires you to turn off battery optimization, which I don’t want to do. It also requires location access at any time versus only when using the app. I don’t want to do that either.
You can’t select an actual customer that you met with for the business purpose of the trip.
The miles recorded are inaccurate.
There are no mileage reports.
What I do that is easier and accurate
Before I leave to visit a client, I reset the B Trip odometer to zero in my car.
After I return, I make note of the total miles for the trip or just snap a photo of the odometer reading.
I have created a Mileage service item in QBO with a cost of $0.585, the current IRS mileage rate for 2022.
I create a Bill with myself as the Vendor, the date of the trip as the Bill date, the Mileage item under Item details with the total miles from the trip entered for QTY, and the Customer.
Periodically, I create a Bill Payment and reimburse myself for the business use of my personal car.
