The mileage reimbursement rate for federal travelers who use their own cars is going back up to 32.5 cents per mile.
The rate increase takes effect Jan. 14. The current rate, in effect since April 1999, is 31 cents per mile.
The mileage reimbursement rate was 32.5 cents per mile from October 1998 to April 1999, but lower gas prices pushed the rate down. The General Services Administration sets the reimbursement rate for federal employees. The rate cannot exceed the rate set by the Internal Revenue Service, which raised its standard mileage rate from 31 cents per mile to 32.5 cents per mile on Jan. 1.
Under federal travel regulations, an employee may use a personal vehicle for official travel if authorized by his or her agency. If an agency authorizes travel by another means, such as airplane, and an employee still drives his or her own car, the employee's reimbursement is limited to the cost of the authorized means of travel.
The General Services Administration announced the mileage reimbursement increase in the Jan. 7 Federal Register.
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