Mileage Reimbursement Rate 2017 Calculator

2017 IRS Mileage Rates

Mileage Type	Rate Per Mile ($)	Applicable for
Standard Business Mileage	53.5 cents ($0.535)	Business use of a car (e.g., client visits, local travel)
Medical Mileage	17 cents ($0.17)	Necessary medical travel (for you, spouse, or dependent)
Moving Mileage (for military)	17 cents ($0.17)	Relocation expenses due to a permanent change of station (active-duty military)

What is the 2017 Mileage Reimbursement Rate?

The 2017 mileage reimbursement rate refers to the standard amounts set by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that taxpayers can use to calculate the deductible costs of operating their vehicle for business, medical, or charitable purposes in the tax year 2017. Instead of tracking every single expense like gas, oil, repairs, and depreciation, taxpayers can opt to use these predetermined rates per mile. This simplifies the record-keeping process significantly. The 2017 mileage reimbursement rate calculator is a tool designed to help individuals and businesses quickly determine the potential tax deduction or reimbursement amount based on the miles driven and the applicable IRS rate for that year.

This calculator is primarily for individuals who use their personal vehicle for business. This includes employees who are reimbursed by their employer, or self-employed individuals who can deduct these expenses on their tax returns. It's important to note that the rates change annually, so using a calculator specifically for 2017 ensures accuracy for that tax year.

2017 Mileage Reimbursement Rate Formula and Explanation

The core calculation for mileage reimbursement is straightforward multiplication. The IRS sets specific rates for different types of mileage claims. For the 2017 tax year, the relevant rates are:

• Standard Business Mileage Rate: 53.5 cents per mile ($0.535)
• Medical Mileage Rate: 17 cents per mile ($0.17)
• Moving Mileage Rate (for military personnel): 17 cents per mile ($0.17)

The general formula used by this 2017 mileage reimbursement rate calculator is:

Reimbursable Amount = Total Miles Driven × Applicable Mileage Rate

Formula Variables Table

2017 Mileage Reimbursement Variables

Variable	Meaning	Unit	2017 Rate/Range
Total Miles Driven	The total distance traveled by personal vehicle for a specific purpose (business, medical, moving).	Miles	≥ 0
Applicable Mileage Rate	The IRS-set rate per mile for the specific purpose.	Cents per mile / Dollars per mile	$0.535 (Business), $0.17 (Medical/Moving)
Reimbursable Amount	The total deductible amount or reimbursement.	Dollars ($)	Calculated Value

Practical Examples

Let's illustrate how the 2017 mileage reimbursement rate calculator works with real-world scenarios:

Example 1: Business Travel

Sarah is a consultant who drove 4,500 miles for business meetings and client site visits throughout 2017. She wants to calculate her deductible business mileage expenses.

• Inputs:
• Total Business Miles: 4,500 miles
• Reimbursement Type: Standard Mileage Rate
• Applicable Rate (2017): $0.535 per mile

Calculation: 4,500 miles × $0.535/mile = $2,407.50

Result: Sarah can claim $2,407.50 in business mileage expenses for 2017.

Example 2: Medical Travel

Mark drove his personal car to and from his physical therapy appointments for his injured back in 2017. He logged a total of 800 miles for these medical trips.

• Inputs:
• Total Miles Driven: 800 miles
• Reimbursement Type: Medical Mileage Rate
• Applicable Rate (2017): $0.17 per mile

Calculation: 800 miles × $0.17/mile = $136.00

Result: Mark can deduct $136.00 for his medical travel expenses in 2017.

How to Use This 2017 Mileage Reimbursement Rate Calculator

Using the 2017 mileage reimbursement rate calculator is simple and requires only a couple of pieces of information:

1. Enter Business Miles: In the "Business Miles Driven (2017)" field, input the total number of miles you accumulated for the specific purpose (business, medical, or military moving) during the 2017 calendar year. Accurate record-keeping is crucial here; ensure your log reflects the correct miles.
2. Select Reimbursement Type: Use the dropdown menu to choose the category that best fits your mileage. Select "Standard Mileage Rate" for general business use, "Medical Mileage Rate" for necessary healthcare travel, or "Moving Mileage Rate" for qualifying military relocations.
3. Calculate: Click the "Calculate Reimbursement" button.
4. View Results: The calculator will display the relevant 2017 IRS rates, your total miles, and the calculated reimbursable amount. The primary result, highlighted in green, is your final calculated amount.
5. Reset: If you need to perform a new calculation, click the "Reset" button to clear the fields.
6. Copy Results: Use the "Copy Results" button to quickly copy the displayed output for your records or reports.

Ensure you select the correct year's rates, as these figures are updated annually by the IRS.

Key Factors That Affect Mileage Reimbursement

Several factors influence the amount of mileage reimbursement you can claim:

1. Year of Travel: This is paramount. The IRS mileage rates change almost every year. This calculator is specific to 2017 rates; using it for other years would yield incorrect results. Ensure you are using the correct year's data.
2. Purpose of Travel: The IRS differentiates between standard business, medical, and charitable/volunteer (though not covered in this specific calculator) mileage. Each category has its own rate, often significantly different.
3. Total Miles Logged: The reimbursement is directly proportional to the miles driven. Accurate and well-maintained mileage logs are essential for substantiating your claim.
4. Record Keeping: Beyond just total miles, the IRS typically requires records showing the date, destination, business purpose, and miles driven for each trip. This supports the legitimacy of the claim.
5. Employer Policies: If you are an employee, your employer might have its own reimbursement policy, which could be based on IRS rates or different internal standards. This calculator helps determine what *could* be reimbursed or deducted.
6. Vehicle Type: While the standard rates cover the general costs of using a car or light truck, specific rules might apply to other types of vehicles. The standard rates are generally applicable for most personal vehicles used for business.
7. Alternative Deductions: For self-employed individuals, there's an option to deduct actual vehicle expenses (gas, repairs, insurance, depreciation) instead of using the standard mileage rate. This calculator assumes the standard rate method is chosen.

FAQ: 2017 Mileage Reimbursement

Q1: What is the main difference between the standard, medical, and moving mileage rates for 2017?
A1: The standard rate ($0.535/mile) is for general business use. The medical and military moving rates ($0.17/mile) are for specific, narrower purposes and are typically lower, reflecting only the direct operating costs.

Q2: Can I use these 2017 rates for my 2018 taxes?
A2: No, these rates are specific to the 2017 tax year. Mileage expenses incurred in 2018 must use the 2018 IRS mileage rates.

Q3: What if I drove miles for both business and personal reasons?
A3: You can only claim reimbursement or deduct mileage driven for business, medical, or qualifying moving purposes. Personal miles are not deductible. You must maintain logs to distinguish between these.

Q4: Does the reimbursement rate include the cost of parking and tolls?
A4: No. The standard mileage rate is intended to cover gas, oil, depreciation, maintenance, and insurance. Parking fees and tolls incurred for business trips can typically be deducted separately as actual expenses, regardless of whether you use the standard mileage rate or actual expenses method.

Q5: What documentation is needed to support my mileage claim?
A5: The IRS generally requires a mileage log showing the date of each trip, starting and ending mileage (or total miles driven), the destination, the business purpose of the trip, and the name of the person or organization visited.

Q6: Can I claim mileage for commuting from home to my regular place of work?
A6: Generally, no. Commuting miles between your home and your regular place of business are considered personal and are not deductible. Exceptions exist for temporary work locations or performing services as an independent contractor.

Q7: What if my employer pays me less than the IRS rate?
A7: If your employer reimburses you at a rate lower than the IRS rate, you may be able to deduct the difference as a business expense on your tax return (if you itemize deductions and meet certain criteria).

Q8: Can I use the 17 cents/mile rate for charitable driving?
A8: No, the 17 cents/mile rate is specifically for medical and military moving expenses. The IRS sets a separate, optional standard mileage rate for charitable driving, which was 14 cents per mile in 2017.

Related Tools and Resources

Explore these related tools and resources for more comprehensive tax and financial calculations:

• General Tax Deduction Calculator: Estimate potential deductions beyond mileage.
• Vehicle Depreciation Calculator: Understand the impact of depreciation on your vehicle expenses.
• Business Expense Tracker: Tools to help log and categorize various business costs.
• Self-Employment Tax Calculator: Calculate obligations for the self-employed.
• Itemized Deduction Calculator: Determine if itemizing is more beneficial than the standard deduction.
• Loan Payment Calculator: For calculating loan installments.
• Compound Interest Calculator: Understand investment growth.