The Internal Revenue Service today released the 2021 optional standard mileage rates, which are used to determine the deductible expenses of driving a car for business, charity, medical, or relocating reasons.

The regular mileage rate for the usage of an automobile (including vans, pickups, or panel trucks) will be as follows beginning January 1, 2021:

The rate for qualified active duty members of the Armed Forces is 56 cents per mile driven for business use, down 1.5 cents from the rate for 2020, 16 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down 1 cent from the rate for 2020, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations, the rate is set by statute and remains unchanged from 2020.

The normal business mileage rate is based on an annual evaluation of the fixed and variable expenses of running a vehicle. The charge for medical and relocation services is determined by variable expenses.

It is crucial to remember that taxpayers cannot claim a miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenditures under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Taxpayers cannot deduct relocation expenditures unless they are members of the Armed Forces on active duty transferring to a permanent change of station. More information may be found at Moving Expenses for Members of the Armed Forces.

Taxpayers may always calculate the real expenditures of using their car rather than utilizing the statutory mileage rates.

Taxpayers may utilize the ordinary mileage rate, but only during the first year the vehicle is accessible for business usage. Later on, customers might pick between the regular mileage rate and real expenditures. If the standard mileage rate is selected, leased cars must utilize it for the whole lease duration (including renewals).

The optional 2021 standard mileage rates, as well as the maximum automotive cost used to determine the allowance under a fixed and variable rate (FAVR) plan, are included in Notice 2021-02 PDF. Furthermore, the notice specifies the maximum fair market value of employer-provided vehicles made accessible to workers for personal use for the first time in calendar year 2021, for which businesses may adopt the fleet-average valuation rule or the vehicle cents-per-mile valuation rule.