Get Paid to Drive: FSA Mileage Reimbursement Guide
Did you know your car is an FSA eligible expense? If you drive to a medical appointment, the pharmacy, or a therapy session, the IRS allows you to reimburse yourself for every mile driven.
Most employees leave this money on the table because they don't know the rate or how to log it. Here is the operational breakdown.
1. What Trips Count?
You can claim mileage for travel primarily for, and essential to, medical care. This includes:
- Driving to/from Doctor, Dentist, or Vision appointments.
- Driving to the Pharmacy to pick up prescriptions.
- Driving to Therapy or Counseling sessions.
- Parents driving a child to medical appointments.
2. The Math (How much is it worth?)
It adds up faster than you think. Let's look at a typical year for a family of four:
- 20 Therapy sessions (15 miles round trip) = 300 miles
- 12 Orthodontist visits (10 miles round trip) = 120 miles
- 12 Pharmacy runs (5 miles round trip) = 60 miles
- Total: 480 Miles x $0.205 = $98.40 Cash Back
That is nearly $100 of tax-free money you can claim just by keeping a log.
3. Don't Forget Parking & Tolls
In addition to the mileage rate, you can reimburse 100% of the cost for:
- Parking fees at the medical facility.
- Tolls paid while traveling to the appointment.
4. How to Submit the Claim
Your FSA card won't work at the gas pump. You must pay out-of-pocket and submit a "Manual Claim" for reimbursement.
The Documentation Requirement:
Create a simple log (Excel or written) containing:
- Date of Travel
- Destination (Name of Doctor/Clinic)
- Purpose (e.g., "Dental Cleaning")
- Total Miles Driven
Submit this log along with the EOB or receipt from the appointment to prove you were actually there.