Can I claim mileage if my employer reimburses me?
Usually not, if your employer pays the full official rate: that payment is tax-free and there is nothing left to claim. What happens when they pay less, or nothing, depends on the country. In the UK you can claim the shortfall from HMRC. In the US, employees can't deduct it at all; only self-employed people can.
United States
Under an accountable plan, your employer can reimburse you up to the IRS standard mileage rate tax-free, as long as you give them a mileage log. If they pay less, or nothing, you can't deduct the difference on your federal return: the deduction for unreimbursed employee expenses was suspended in 2018, and the 2025 tax law made that permanent.
Self-employed people and independent contractors are different. They deduct business miles on Schedule C at the standard rate or by actual expenses.
United Kingdom
Your employer can pay up to the HMRC approved mileage rate without tax or National Insurance. If they pay less, you can claim Mileage Allowance Relief on the difference, online or through Self Assessment. You need a record of each business journey to support the claim.
Canada
A reasonable per-kilometre allowance (at or under the CRA rate) is tax-free, and you can't then deduct car expenses as well. If your allowance is taxable or you get none, your employer can sign Form T2200 and you can deduct your car expenses based on the share of your driving that was for work.
Australia
If your employer reimburses your actual costs, you can't claim them too. If they pay a car allowance instead, it is part of your income, and you can claim your work-related car expenses yourself, for example with the cents per km method.
In every case, keep the log
Whether you are reimbursed or claim it yourself, the record is the same: date, start and end point, business purpose, odometer readings and distance for each trip. Milo keeps it as you drive and can show the official amount next to what your employer pays.