New optional standard mileage rates were recently announced by the Internal Revenue Service taking effect on January 1, 2011. The optional standard mileage rates are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Starting on January 1, 2011, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) for the purposes mentioned above will be:

• 51 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 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 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 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.

For more details please click Revenue Procedure 2010-51 and Notice 2010-88.

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