On December 22, 2020, the IRS issued the 2021 optional standard mileage rates, which are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

The 2021 standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 56 cents per mile driven for business use, down 1.5 cents from the rate for 2020;
• 16 cents per mile driven for medical purposes or for moving purposes for qualified active duty members of the Armed Forces, down one 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.

Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, taxpayers cannot claim a miscellaneous itemized deduction for unreimbursed employee travel expenses. Taxpayers also cannot claim a deduction for moving expenses, unless they are members of the Armed Forces on active duty moving under orders to a permanent change of station.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

Taxpayers can use the standard mileage rate but must opt to use it in the first year the car is available for business use. Then, in later years, they can choose either the standard mileage rate or actual expenses. Leased vehicles must use the standard mileage rate method for the entire lease period (including renewals) if the standard mileage rate is chosen.

Source: Zywave