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Employment Blog

2018 IRS Standard Mileage Rates Reflect Rising Fuel Prices

Authored by Mary Ellen Schill
Mary Ellen Schill
Attorney
Wausau Office
Posted on December 15, 2017
Filed under Employment
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the optional standard mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, medical, and moving expenses for 2018, and the increased rates reflect the increase in gasoline prices. Effective January 1, 2018, the optional standard mileage rates will increase to 54.5 cents per mile for business transportation, and increase to 18 cents per mile for travel relating to medical and moving transportation expenses.

These mileage rates apply only to those expenses incurred or paid by a taxpayer on or after January 1, 2018 (and if reimbursed by an employer, reimbursed by the employer on and after that date). Expenses incurred prior to January 1, 2018 (whether reimbursed by the employer before or after that date) are still subject to the old 2017 rates (53.5 cents for business transportation, 17 cents for medical and moving transportation). The standard mileage rate for the deduction for charitable contributions remains unchanged from 2017 at 14 cents per mile.
 

This change in mileage rates is relevant to employers that reimburse employees for business transportation based on mileage. While there is no legal requirement that employees be reimbursed at the IRS standard rate, many employers have a policy of doing so. As a reminder, any payments to an employee based on business travel at a rate in excess of the IRS standard rate generally is taxable income to the employee.

If you have questions regarding the above, please contact Mary Ellen Schill, the author of this article, or any of the attorneys in the Employment, Benefits & Labor Relations Practice Group of Ruder Ware.