QuickBooks Mileage Tracker is an app that helps businesses keep track of their mileage expenses. The app is designed to simplify the process of recording business mileage and provide accurate mileage reports to businesses. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at the QuickBooks Mileage Tracker, including its features, pros and cons, costing and plans, and how to set it up automatically.
What is a QuickBooks Mileage Tracker?
QuickBooks Mileage Tracker is a feature in the QuickBooks Online app that allows you to track the mileage you travel for business purposes. It automatically records your trips using GPS tracking and calculates the total distance traveled. This information can be used to deduct your business travel expenses on your tax return.
Features of QuickBooks Mileage Tracker
- Mileage Tracking: QuickBooks online mileage tracker allows businesses to track their mileage easily. The app records the mileage automatically and saves it for future reference.
- GPS Tracking: The app also uses GPS to track the location of the business trip. This information can be used to calculate the distance traveled and the time spent on the trip.
- Accurate Reports: The app generates accurate mileage reports that can be used for tax purposes. The reports include details such as the date, time, location, and purpose of the trip.
- Integration with QuickBooks: The app can be integrated with QuickBooks, allowing businesses to easily import the mileage data into their accounting software.
- Customizable Categories: QuickBooks Mileage Tracker allows businesses to create custom categories for their mileage expenses. This makes it easy to organize and track the mileage expenses by project, client, or department.
- Real-time Data: The app provides real-time data on the mileage expenses, allowing businesses to monitor their expenses and adjust their budget accordingly.
- User-friendly Interface: The app has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and use. The interface is intuitive, and the app provides helpful tips and guidance to users.
QuickBooks Online Mileage Tracker: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Easy to Use: QuickBooks Mileage Tracker is easy to use and does not require any technical skills or knowledge.
- Saves Time: The app saves time by automating the process of recording mileage expenses.
- Accurate Reports: The app generates accurate reports that can be used for tax purposes.
- Integration with QuickBooks: The app can be integrated with QuickBooks, making it easy to import the mileage data into the accounting software.
- Customizable Categories: The app allows businesses to create custom QuickBooks categories for their mileage expenses, making it easy to track expenses by project, client, or department.
Cons:
- Limited Features: The app has limited features compared to other mileage tracking apps.
- Manual Entry: The app requires manual entry of the purpose of the trip, which can be time-consuming.
- GPS Accuracy: The GPS accuracy of the app may vary depending on the device and the location.
Costing and Plans of QuickBooks Mileage Tracker
QuickBooks Mileage Tracker is available as a part of the QuickBooks Online subscription. The app is included in the QuickBooks Online Plus and Advanced plans. The Plus plan costs $70 per month, and the Advanced plan costs $150 per month.
How to Set up Automatic QuickBooks Mileage Tracker?
Setting up automatic QuickBooks online mileage tracker can be done using the following solutions:
Solution 1: Use a third-party app
- Download and install a third-party mileage tracking app such as MileIQ or TripLog.
- Connect the third-party app to QuickBooks Mileage Tracker by signing in to both the apps with the same account.
- Set up the automatic tracking feature in the third-party app by enabling the GPS tracking and setting the rules for when to track trips.
- Once the tracking is set up, the mileage data will be automatically recorded in QuickBooks online mileage tracker.
Solution 2: Use IFTTT
- Create a new applet on IFTTT by logging in.
- Select QuickBooks as the trigger service and choose “New trip” as the trigger.
- Select the action service as either Google Sheets or Evernote, and set up the action to record the trip details.
- Once the applet is set up, every new trip recorded in QuickBooks Mileage Tracker will be automatically recorded in the chosen action service.
Solution 3: Use Zapier
- Sign in to Zapier and create a new Zap.
- Select QuickBooks as the trigger app and choose “New trip” as the trigger.
- Select the action app as either Google Sheets or Evernote, and set up the action to record the trip details.
- Once the Zap is set up, every new trip recorded in QuickBooks Mileage Tracker will be automatically recorded in the chosen action app.
Conclusion
In conclusion, QuickBooks Mileage Tracker is an excellent tool for tracking your business travel expenses. With its user-friendly interface and automatic tracking feature, it allows you to easily record and categorize your mileage for tax purposes. Additionally, its integration with QuickBooks Online makes it a seamless addition to your accounting workflow.
While there are some limitations and drawbacks to the QuickBooks online mileage tracker, such as the lack of offline tracking and the requirement of a QuickBooks Online subscription, its benefits and features far outweigh these drawbacks. Overall, QuickBooks Mileage Tracker is a reliable and efficient tool for tracking your business travel expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q.1 Does QuickBooks Mileage Tracker work offline?
No, QuickBooks Mileage Tracker requires an internet connection to function. It uses GPS tracking to record your trips, and this information is stored in the cloud. If you do not have an internet connection, you will not be able to use the Mileage Tracker feature.
Q.2 Can I export my QuickBooks Mileage Tracker data to other accounting software?
Yes, you can export your QuickBooks Mileage Tracker data to other accounting software. Simply export the data as a CSV file and import excel file to QuickBooks into your desired accounting software. However, this may require some manual categorization and data entry, as the exported data may not be organized in the same way as your other accounting software.
Q.3 How does QuickBooks Mileage Tracker integrate with QuickBooks Online?
QuickBooks online mileage tracker integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks Online. The mileage data recorded in the Mileage Tracker feature is automatically synced with your QuickBooks Online account. This allows you to easily track your business travel expenses and categorize them for tax purposes.
