2018 Standard Mileage Rates

2018 Standard Mileage Rates

Notice 2018-03

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

This notice provides the optional 2018 standard mileage rates for taxpayers to

use in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business,

charitable, medical, or moving expense purposes. This notice also provides the amount

taxpayers must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the

business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that may

be used in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate (FAVR) plan.

SECTION 2. BACKGROUND

Rev. Proc. 2010-51, 2010-51 I.R.B. 883, provides rules for computing the

deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving

expense purposes, and for substantiating, under § 274(d) of the Internal Revenue Code

and § 1.274-5 of the Income Tax Regulations, the amount of ordinary and necessary

business expenses of local transportation or travel away from home. Taxpayers using

the standard mileage rates must comply with Rev. Proc. 2010-51. However, a taxpayer

is not required to use the substantiation methods described in Rev. Proc. 2010-51, but

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instead may substantiate using actual allowable expense amounts if the taxpayer

maintains adequate records or other sufficient evidence.

An independent contractor conducts an annual study for the Internal Revenue

Service of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile to determine the

standard mileage rates for business, medical, and moving use reflected in this notice.

The standard mileage rate for charitable use is set by § 170(i).

SECTION 3. STANDARD MILEAGE RATES

The standard mileage rate for transportation or travel expenses is 54.5 cents per

mile for all miles of business use (business standard mileage rate). See section 4 of

Rev. Proc. 2010-51

to determine the

standard mileage rates for business, medical, and moving use reflected in this notice.

The standard mileage rate for charitable use is set by § 170(i).

SECTION 3. STANDARD MILEAGE RATES

The standard mileage rate for transportation or travel expenses is 54.5 cents per

mile for all miles of business use (business standard mileage rate). See section 4 of

Rev. Proc. 2010-51.

The standard mileage rate is 14 cents per mile for use of an automobile in

rendering gratuitous services to a charitable organization under § 170. See section 5 of

Rev. Proc. 2010-51.

The standard mileage rate is 18 cents per mile for use of an automobile (1) for

medical care described in § 213, or (2) as part of a move for which the expenses are

deductible under § 217. See section 5 of Rev. Proc. 2010-51.

SECTION 4. BASIS REDUCTION AMOUNT

For automobiles a taxpayer uses for business purposes, the portion of the

business standard mileage rate treated as depreciation is 22 cents per mile for 2014, 24

cents per mile for 2015, 24 cents per mile for 2016, 25 cents per mile for 2017, and 25

cents per mile for 2018. See section 4.04 of Rev. Proc. 2010-51.

SECTION 5. MAXIMUM STANDARD AUTOMOBILE COST

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For purposes of computing the allowance under a FAVR plan, the standard

automobile cost may not exceed $27,300 for automobiles (excluding trucks and vans) or

$31,000 for trucks and vans. See section 6.02(6) of Rev. Proc. 2010-51.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE

This notice is effective for (1) deductible transportation expenses paid or incurred

on or after January 1, 2018, and (2) mileage allowances or reimbursements paid to an

employee or to a charitable volunteer (a) on or after January 1, 2018, and (b) for

transportation expenses the employee or charitable volunteer pays or incurs on or after

January 1, 2018.

SECTION 7. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS

Notice 2016-79 is superseded.

DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this notice is Bernard P

, 2018, and (2) mileage allowances or reimbursements paid to an

employee or to a charitable volunteer (a) on or after January 1, 2018, and (b) for

transportation expenses the employee or charitable volunteer pays or incurs on or after

January 1, 2018.

SECTION 7. EFFECT ON OTHER DOCUMENTS

Notice 2016-79 is superseded.

DRAFTING INFORMATION

The principal author of this notice is Bernard P. Harvey of the Office of Associate

Chief Counsel (Income Tax and Accounting). For further information on this notice

contact Bernard P. Harvey on (202) 317-7005 (not a toll-free call).