WASHINGTON — On December 13, the Internal Revenue Service issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.  Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven (down from 54 cents for 2016)
• 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes (down from 19 cents for 2016)
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.  Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

These and other requirements are described in Rev. Proc. 2010-51. Notice 2016-79, are posted on IRS.gov, contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan.

Take a look at your expense reimbursement policy and see if it needs to be updated in light of this change.

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