IRS Announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
- 50 cents per mile for business miles driven
- 16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
- 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The new rates for business, medical and moving purposes are slightly
lower than last year’s. The mileage rates for 2010 reflect generally
lower transportation costs compared to a year ago.
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 as
determined by the same study. Independent contractor Runzheimer
International conducted the study.
A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a
vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified
Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section
179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard
mileage rate cannot be used for any vehicle used for hire or for more
than four vehicles used simultaneously.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of
using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.
