GSA Lowers Mileage Rates

Do you plan to use your own vehicle in 2010 to attend a work-related technology conference or other government-related meetings or events? The General Services Administration announced on Monday that it is lowering by 5 cents the 2010 mileage reimbursement rate for federal employees using their personal vehicles for government business.

The new rate, which took affect on Jan. 1, is down from 55 cents per mile to 50 cents per mile. The rate, which is used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business purposes, will most likely continue through the end of the year, as it's unusual for GSA to make midyear rate adjustments.

The change follows a December announcement from the Internal Revenue Service saying the rate would decrease to 50 cents per mile on Jan. 1.

GSA also announced that the reimbursement rate for privately-owned motorcycles used for government business will be 47 cents per mile in 2010, down from 52 cents per mile in 2009. Rates for privately-owned airplanes will increase, however, from $1.24 per mile to $1.29 per mile in 2010.