Sam Johnson claims victory for small-business owners as IRS ups gas mileage rate
Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) claimed victory for struggling small-business owners upon the news that the IRS has upped the mileage rate for the last six months of the year. Johnson has been hounding the IRS since March to increase the reimbursement rate in light of sky-high gas prices hurting the bottom-line of the nation’s employers in today’s sluggish economy.
“This is a great victory for small-business owners. The mid-year correction has been a long time coming. Given the high price of gas impacting business costs on so many levels, I’m glad that IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman made this decision that is fair for taxpayers,” said Johnson.
On March 8th Johnson sent a letter to IRS Commissioner Shulman requesting the IRS up the reimbursement rate. Back then, the national average of a gallon of gas cost $3.50. The price tipped $4.00 and now hovers around $3.66. When the IRS announced the 2011 rate last fall, a gallon of gas cost $2.75. The IRS increased the optional mileage rates due to spiking gas prices in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina and in 2008.
Since March, Johnson has continued to call the IRS, make numerous floor speeches and used social media sites Facebook and Twitter to make the case for the IRS to boost the mileage deduction. In fact, minutes before the IRS made today’s announcement, Johnson let his Facebook followers know “If the Admin. really wants to help, it should provide mileage rate relief to hurting small businesses,” with a link to the news story about the U.S. releasing 30 million barrels of oil from the strategic petroleum reserve. Johnson quickly updated his page, “BREAKING NEWS! Victory! Glad the IRS decided to stop being a pain in the gas,” with a link to a news article announcing the mileage boost.
To read a copy of Johnson’s March, letter to IRS Commissioner Shulman, go to SamJohnson.house.gov.
New rates effective July 1, 2011. Note: charitable miles are fixed by law, hence no increase.
|
|
Current |
New |
|
Business Miles |
51 cents |
55.5 |
|
Medical or Moving Miles |
19 cents |
23.5 |
|
Charitable Miles |
14 cents |
14 |
Johnson represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.
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