12/17/09: The General Services Administration (GSA) has informed NTEU that they are proposing a decrease in the privately-owned vehicles mileage reimbursement rates for federal employees effective January 1, 2010, to match the rate cap imposed by the IRS.

Recently, the IRS issued a report and decreased the 2009 mileage reimbursement rate from $0.55 to $0.50 cents per mile, effective January 1, 2010. In addition, the IRS is setting reimbursement rates for privately-owned motorcycles at $0.47 and for aircraft at $1.29. The IRS sets these rates for tax purposes (not as the employer for IRS employees). GSA has the authority to set rates for all civil servants but cannot exceed the IRS’s rates. Therefore, GSA’s proposed rates are the highest they may be by law.

NTEU will continue to monitor this matter, given that many of our members use their own car for government business regularly.

If you have any further questions on this matter, please contact Kurt Vorndran in NTEU's Legislation Department at 202.572.5500, ext. 7056.