IRS pumps up standard mileage rates
Due to rising gas prices, the IRS has increased
the "standard mileage rate" for business drivers in 2008.
The standard mileage rate is an IRS-approved
shortcut. Instead of tracking all the actual business expenses of your
vehicle, you can use the prescribed flat rate for the year. But you
still must keep detailed records of every business trip.
The new rate of 58.5¢ per business mile — up 8¢
per mile — applies to travel during the last half of this year. For the
first half, the previous rate of 50.5¢ per mile still applies. In
addition, you may deduct any business-related parking fees and tolls.
Example: You drive 1,000 business miles a month in
2008. Over the course of the year, you incur $500 in related tolls. For
the first six months, you can deduct $3,030 (50.5¢ x 6,000). For the
last six months, the deduction increases to $3,510 (58.5¢ x 6,000).
When you add $500 in tolls, your deduction for 2008 equals $7,040
($3,030 + $3,510 + $500).
Note that the IRS also increased its standard
mileage rate for medical and job-related moving expenses from 19¢ a
mile to 27¢ a mile for the last six months of this year. However, the
rate for charitable driving, which is set by law, remains at 14¢ per
mile.
Proceed carefully: The new mileage rates are
available to many — but not all — drivers. Give us a call if you need
details on how the changes affect your situation.
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