Accounts and Reports

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has lowered the mileage rate from 48.5 cents to 44.5 cents beginning January 1, 2006 under the Cents-Per-Mile method of valuing an employee's personal (commuting) use of a state-owned or leased vehicle. The new rate reflects the drop in gas prices after the sharp increase experienced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The Cents-Per-Mile valuation is one of several methodologies that can be used to calculate fringe benefit income. See Informational Circular No. 05-P-023. Using this methodology, fringe benefit income is calculated by multiplying the 44.5 cents rate by the number of personal (commuting) miles driven by the employee in the state-owned or leased vehicle. To be eligible to use the Cents-Per-Mile method, at least 50% of the vehicle's total mileage is used for the employer's trade or business, or the vehicle is primarily used by employees and the total mileage for the vehicle exceeds 10,000 miles per year. The Cents-Per-Mile method may not be used for 'luxury' vehicles. If a vehicle is first made available to an employee for personal (commuting) use in calendar year 2006 and the agency wishes to use the Cents-Per-Mile method, the fair market value of the vehicle cannot exceed $14,800. Agencies and employees are also reminded that the only personal use of a state-owned or leased vehicle allowed under state law is to commute between the employee's work station and home, and then in only limited situations.