IRS announces 2011 standard mileage rates

The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2011 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2011, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck will be: 51 cents per mile for business miles driven; 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.