Should I get reimbursed for mileage?

You probably should get reimbursed, but whether it’s worth the effort is up to you. It’s been my experience that I can only afford to do favors for people—when I find myself doing favors for organizations I quickly find myself being taken advantage of.

You should at least ask, especially with the gas rates going through the roof. There’s an amount they can write off 32 or 42 cents per mile. Some companies offer a car allowance then as long as you keep good records then you can deduct the mileage or if you keep better records and then you can deduct the percentage of costs (lease, maint, gas) related to the percentage you use your car for work. Depends on which method works out more favorable for you.

Yes, and it doesn’t have to be that hard to do. Keep track of your mileage by logging your to and from appointments in your calendar. At the end of the month (or on the first of the following month), go through your calendar and create a log of all your mileage (if there isn’t a form available, then create one. Each item should include date, destination, departed from, the business purpose of the trip and the total mileage. So, create a form, make twelve copies and you’ll know that once a month you’ll do your mileage.

My old company is reimbursing at $.50/mile now, which tracks with the maximum allowed by the IRS.

Also, look at it this way, if you are filling out your mileage sheet on company time, then you are making more per hour than you would otherwise.

I would suggest using this gizmo from www.mileagelogger.com to log your miles. I’ve been using it for some time now, and I no longer have to worry. It logs it all using GPS and cell networks without me ever having to interact with it. I highly recommend it. Mine paid for itself in less than a month with the mileage rate at $.505 per mile?

The IRS standard rate for mileage reimbursements for 2008 is up to 50.5 cents per mile. Your employer does not have to reimburse you at this rate but it is a common standard used for incidental mileage where an auto allowance arrangement is not necessary or appropriate. One of our suppliers is only reimbursing at 33 cents per mile this year and our local rep is really pissed about this.

The same rate can be used when deducting business related mileage on your Federal tax return. A different lower rate is used if you are claiming a mileage deduction for time or transportation of a charitable nature, such as volunteering for Meals on Wheels or the like,

One caution, mileage reimbursements are for business related trips. Commutation to and from work, without a stop for a business related purpose is not a deductible expense nor would it be reimbursable in most corporate situations.

srm

i knew a worker who specifically INSISTED only she could take the checks to the bank as she wanted to claim mileage. and this was less than 5 miles away. it DEF ads up. the company is HOPING you wont claim it and sadly too many people do not. but it is worth the few minutes it takes to track it.

Thank you all for the input – time for me to get organized!