Being notified the IRS has done something is usually a scary proposition. The number on fear of most people is an audit, but the IRS actually can be helpful. When taxpayers have a universal financial problem, the agency acts fast.

The United States is home to tens of millions small businesses. One of the favorite deductions of these businesses is the business mileage deduction. You get to deduct a certain dollar figure for every business mile you drive.

The cost of fuel would seem to be a major factor considered when the IRS sets the figure and it is. There are others however. They include things such as insurance, vehicle depreciation and other issues.

The IRS sets the numerical figure that can be used for the tax deduction at the beginning of each year. For 2008, the figure declared was 50.5 cents a business mile. If you drive 1,000 miles in 2008 for business, you would be able to deduct $505.00.

Although the milege deduction rate is usually not changed, there is precedent for doing so. When prices are serious effected, the IRS can act on its own as it did during Katrina when gas prices shot up do to gas shortages in the South.

As you well know, 2008 has been a brutal year for gas price increases. In many parts of the country, we are closing in on five dollars a gallon for fuel. In 2005, the average cost was $2.30. Ah, for the good old days!

To its credit, the IRS has voluntarily stepped forward in reaction to the fuel price spikes. It has announced that it has the discretion to change the business mileage deduction rate and has set itat 58.5 cents for the last six months of 2008.

So, how do you calculate all of this? Well, it is actually pretty simple. Any business mileage you undertake from January 1 through June 30 is deductable using the 50.5 figure. Mileage after that is done at the 58.5 percent rate. Just add the two totals for your deduction.

Business miles are not the only transportation deduction getting a bump. You can deduct mileage incurred for moving for a job. The rate for the first six months of 2008 is 19 cents, but the final six months now have a rate of 27 cents.

There is one other deduction we need to mention. You can deduct certain mileage incurred while working with a charity. This is set by Congress and cannot by adjusted by the IRS, so there is no change.

Gas prices are rising to the point where people’s conduct is being modified. A bigger tax deduction will not save you, but it certainly helps. Make sure to keep records of your mileage in case the IRS takes a closer look.

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