With gas prices rising, it’s no surprise that the IRS issued a statement yesterday adjusting the standard business mileage rate for 2008 is 58.5 cents per mile. The new rate for business miles is 8 cents higher than it was for the first six months of 2008, which I had noted in an earlier post. 

The IRS posted the following on its website yesterday::

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8) cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-70.

In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.

"Rising gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans. Given the increase in prices, the IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the real cost of operating an automobile," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "We want the reimbursement rate to be fair to taxpayers."

It’s important to note that actual costs of using a vehicle rather than standard mileage allowances.

So what’s the new chart look like with the split year?

As I said back last year, companies with personnel policies about their mileage reimbursement should consider updating their policies immediately  to reflect this change. In the future, employers can draft a policy that states that their standard mileage rate will be consistent with the IRS’s rate without reference to a particular number.

(H/T: California Workforce Resource Blog)