Mileage reimbursements drop for 2010 - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Mileage reimbursements drop for 2010

Service members and other government employees using their personal vehicles for official business generally will see a slight drop in mileage reimbursement rates in 2010 — and a bigger drop if they are traveling on permanent change-of-station orders.

The new reimbursement rate for the official use of privately owned vehicles, 50 cents per mile, is 5 cents lower than the 2009 rate of 55 cents. Motorcycle mileage will be reimbursed at 47 cents per mile, also a nickel lower than the 2009 rate.

But those fortunate enough to own their own airplanes will earn an additional 5 cents per mile while on temporary duty or other official business, for a total of $1.29 per mile.

Service members who use any privately owned conveyance while moving to a new permanent duty station will be reimbursed 16.5 cents per mile — 10.5 cents lower than the previous rate of 27 cents per mile, which had been in effect since July 2008.

The new rates, set by the General Services Administration, went into effect Jan. 1.

GSA says the rates are based upon “an extensive market-based analysis” of the cost of operating privately owned autos, motorcycles and airplanes used for government business.

Rates are set in consultation with the departments of Defense and Transportation and government employees union representatives. By law, GSA cannot exceed the single standard mileage rate for autos established by the Internal Revenue Service.