IRS Announces 2009 Standard Mileage Rates
Standard Mileage Rate Reduced to 55 Cents for 2009

The Internal Revenue Service on Nov. 24 issued the 2009 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes, according to a news release (IR-2008-131).

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel trucks, will be 55 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 58.5 cents; 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 27 cents; and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, unchanged. IRS said the new rates for business, medical, and moving purposes are slightly lower than rates for the second half of 2008 that were raised by a special adjustment midyear in response to a spike in gasoline prices.