Taxbax blog
Claim Mileage Tax Relief Without a Logbook
Simon Thompson · Head of accounting, Taxbax · 10 August 2025
How to Claim Mileage Tax Relief Without a Logbook
You don’t need to be perfect with paperwork to claim a tax rebate. If you’ve used your personal car or van for work, but haven’t kept detailed mileage records, you might still be eligible for a refund from HMRC. In this guide, we’ll explain how to claim mileage tax relief without a logbook or receipts — and how much you could get back.
Can I claim mileage without keeping a log?
Yes. HMRC accepts estimated mileage in many cases, especially if you:
- Are a PAYE employee
- Use your own vehicle for work-related journeys
- Haven’t been fully reimbursed by your employer
As long as you can provide a reasonable estimate based on your job type, travel pattern or work schedule, you can still make a valid claim.
What kind of travel counts as business mileage?
Mileage you can claim includes:
- Travelling between multiple job sites
- Visiting clients, patients, or suppliers
- Travelling to temporary workplaces
Mileage you can’t claim:
- Daily commute to a permanent workplace
- Personal errands or non-work travel
What if I don’t have any records at all?
Don’t worry. Services like TaxBax can help estimate your mileage using:
- Job title and industry
- Number of workdays per week
- Distance between work sites or home and job locations
You won’t need to dig out receipts or retroactively log every journey — we’ll help you make a fair, accurate estimate.
How much could I get back?
Mileage tax rebates vary depending on your mileage, what your employer paid you (if anything), and how many years you’re claiming for.
Typical rebates range from £300 to over £2,500 — especially if you’ve never claimed before.
FAQs
Do I need receipts for every trip?
No. HMRC allows for estimated claims if based on realistic work travel patterns.
Will I get in trouble for estimating mileage?
Not if the estimate is reasonable. HMRC may ask for explanation if it seems unusually high.
Can I claim for previous years too?
Yes — you can claim back up to 4 tax years, even if you no longer work in that role.
What if I now work from home?
You can still claim for mileage you did in past years while eligible — as long as it was work-related.
Ready to claim without the stress?
No logbook? No problem. TaxBax makes it quick and easy to claim what you’re owed.
ready to get your tax rebate?
We’ve already helped thousands reclaim the money that is rightfully theirs
Check eligibility – It’s free