Akhono Seleyi

Akhono Seleyi

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Expense management automation

Your Guide to 2020 IRS Mileage Rate

January 7, 2020
|
6
Min Read

Does your business reimburse employees for mileage? If so, did you know the IRS revises the standard mileage rate each year? 

After a significant increase in the mileage rate for the use of a personal vehicle for business purposes in 2019, this year the rate has slightly decreased. 

Below, we have compiled the latest information on the mileage rate published by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Let’s dive in!

SUGGESTED READ: Your comprehensive guide to 2019 IRS mileage reimbursement

The New Standard Mileage Rate for 2020

There have been some significant changes in the mileage rate this year. These changes will be applicable, starting from January 1st, 2020. The new IRS standard mileage rate can be used by taxpayers to calculate the deductible costs for operating a vehicle for business, medical, and charitable purposes.

Some points to be noted are:

  • For the business use of a car, the rate has dropped down to 57.5 cents per mile. (0.5 cents less than 2019.)
  • For medical or moving purposes, the rate has changed to 17 cents per mile. (3 cents lower than last year.)
  • For charitable purposes, there has been no change and will remain 14 cents per mile driven.

The standard mileage rate is set based on the annual data compiled for the fixed and variable costs. This includes repairs, maintenance, depreciation, insurance, tires, gas, and oil. For the mileage rate of medical and moving purposes, it is calculated based on just the variable costs.

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2020 Standard Mileage Rate Under Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

The current law, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act states the following:

  • The miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee business expenses is suspended from 2018 to 2025. 
  • Employees cannot use the standard mileage rate to claim expenses during the period mentioned above. 
  • Taxpayers cannot claim expenses for moving purposes as well. But an exception applies to members of the Armed Forces moving to a permanent change of station under military order.

Note:

1. The depreciation portion of the standard mileage rate will be 27 cents per mile. (1 cent more than in 2019.)

2. Under the fix-and-variable-rate (FAVR) plan, the maximum standard automobile cost is $50,400 (the same as 2019) for all automobiles.

SUGGESTED READS:

Your comprehensive guide to IRS mileage reimbursement

Fyle helps you in using Google Maps to track mileage

How to log mileage in under a minute with Fyle?

2020 Mileage Rate for Your Personal Vehicles

Employees may usually use their vehicles to run office errands. In such cases, the IRS mileage rate is a useful benchmark for calculating mileage expenses to be reimbursed to employees. It also plays a vital role in ensuring policy compliance

Maintaining a mileage record can help your team calculate, analyze, and monitor every cent spent on the business. Additionally, employee handbooks and mileage log records can be used as reference points by your finance teams to make well-informed business decisions. It also helps detect and prevent any expense fraud.

Are you interested in getting an accurate and reliable mileage calculation for your employee mileage reimbursements? Schedule a demo with Fyle to learn how you can incorporate the latest IRS mileage rate into your expense policy!

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