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Alison Mead

The Blog of Silicon Bullet

By Alison Mead, Bookkeeping Mentor ...

HMRC's new 55p mileage rate highlights the importance of good bookkeeping

Alison Mead

CREATED BY ALISON MEAD

Published: 01/06/2026 @ 09:01AM

#HMRC #mileagerate #runningcosts #reimbursement #employees #selfemployed #claimexpenses #businesstravel

HMRC's move to raise the Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate to 55p per mile is good news for many business owners and employees. As fuel, insurance, servicing, and vehicle costs continue to rise, this update offers a more accurate reflection of the actual expenses involved in business travel ...

The new 55p mileage rate from HMRC emphasises the significance of maintaining accurate bookkeeping records

The new 55p mileage rate from HMRC emphasises the significance of maintaining accurate bookkeeping records

Many small business owners rely on their vehicles for client visits, networking events, supplier meetings and day-to-day operations. While the new rate may increase the value of allowable mileage claims, businesses can only benefit if they maintain clear and accurate records of their journeys.

Without proper documentation, even legitimate mileage expenses
can become difficult to justify if HMRC asks questions!

For bookkeepers, this change presents an opportunity to encourage clients to review their business-travel recording practices. Mileage logs should include the date of the journey, starting point, destination, purpose of the trip, and the number of miles travelled.

Whether this information is captured through a dedicated mileage app or a simple spreadsheet, consistency is key.

The increase may also prompt some businesses to review their expense policies. Employers who reimburse staff for business travel should ensure their systems reflect the updated rate and that mileage claims are supported by appropriate records. Accurate bookkeeping helps prevent errors, ensures expense claims remain compliant and makes year-end reporting easier.

For sole traders and small business owners, mileage
allowances can represent a valuable tax deduction!

Choosing the simplified mileage method often removes the need to track every fuel receipt, repair invoice and servicing cost associated with a vehicle. However, it does place greater importance on maintaining reliable mileage records throughout the year.

The new 55p rate is certainly positive news, but it also highlights a wider lesson. Tax savings rarely come from rates and allowances alone.

They come from keeping accurate records, maintaining organised bookkeeping and ensuring that allowable expenses are properly captured. A higher mileage rate may increase the value of each business journey, but good bookkeeping is what ensures those journeys count.

As regulations, allowances and tax rules continue to evolve, businesses that stay organised are always in the strongest position. The latest mileage increase is a useful reminder that good bookkeeping is not just about compliance.

It helps businesses claim what they are entitled to while maintaining confidence that their records will stand up to scrutiny.

Until next time ...


ALISON MEAD
I'm your Bookkeeping Buddy: Discover more by clicking here!

Would you like to know more?

If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more about the new 55p mileage rate and how it relates to your bookkeeping, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01604 420057 and let's see how I can help you.

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#HMRC #mileagerate #runningcosts #reimbursement #employees #selfemployed #claimexpenses #businesstravel

About Alison Mead ...

Alison Mead 

Alison loves bookkeeping and supporting bookkeepers. She has been helping clients to be better bookkeepers in Sage 50 for over 24 years and has been Xero Accredited in accounts and payroll for a number of years too.

She specialises in a very unique hand-holding method of training, helping bookkeepers and business owners to use their accounts software as and when they need support in setting up and producing their invoices, reports and financial information.

Alison combines her role at Silicon Bullet with her Forever Living network marketing businesses and is often to be seen at business networking meetings as she likes to keep busy.

You know what they say: if you want something done well ask a busy person!

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