DIOCESAN HOUSE
36 Cathedral Avenue, P. O. Box 510, Garden City, New York 11530-0510
Telephone: (516) 248-4800, Ext 10
FAX: (516) 248-1616
e-mail: louise@dioceseli.org

TO: All Rectors/Priests-in-Charge, Treasurers, Clerks

DATE: December 3, 2008

FROM: Louise M. Baietto
           Deputy for Finance and Administration

SUBJECT: 2009 Standard Mileage Rate

The Internal Revenue Service has issued the 2009 standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 55 cents per mile for business miles driven;
• 24 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

The new rate for business miles compares to a rate of 58.5 cents per mile for July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 (increased from 50.5 cents in the first half of 2008). The new rate for medical and moving purposes compares to 19 cents in the first half and 27 cents in the second half of 2008. The rate for miles driven in service of charitable organizations has remained the same.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile; the standard rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Runzheimer International, an independent contractor, conducted the study for the IRS.

The mileage rate for charitable miles is set by law.