The History of IRS Mileage Rates: 2010-2026 Trend Analysis
From 50 cents per mile in 2010 to 72.5 cents in 2026, IRS mileage rates have moved with fuel shocks, inflation cycles, and vehicle cost changes. Understanding this history helps with forecasting and tax planning.
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Complete Historical Table (2010-2026)
| Tax Year / Period | Business | Medical / Moving | Charity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 72.5 cents | 20.5 cents | 14 cents |
| 2025 | 70 cents | 21 cents | 14 cents |
| 2024 | 67 cents | 21 cents | 14 cents |
| 2023 | 65.5 cents | 22 cents | 14 cents |
| 2022 (Jul-Dec) | 62.5 cents | 22 cents | 14 cents |
| 2022 (Jan-Jun) | 58.5 cents | 18 cents | 14 cents |
| 2021 | 56 cents | 16 cents | 14 cents |
| 2020 | 57.5 cents | 17 cents | 14 cents |
| 2019 | 58 cents | 20 cents | 14 cents |
| 2018 | 54.5 cents | 18 cents | 14 cents |
| 2017 | 53.5 cents | 17 cents | 14 cents |
| 2016 | 54 cents | 19 cents | 14 cents |
| 2015 | 57.5 cents | 23 cents | 14 cents |
| 2014 | 56 cents | 23.5 cents | 14 cents |
| 2013 | 56.5 cents | 24 cents | 14 cents |
| 2012 | 55.5 cents | 23 cents | 14 cents |
| 2011 (Jul-Dec) | 55.5 cents | 23.5 cents | 14 cents |
| 2011 (Jan-Jun) | 51 cents | 19 cents | 14 cents |
| 2010 | 50 cents | 16.5 cents | 14 cents |
Key Trends
The long-term business rate trajectory is upward: from 50 cents (2010) to 72.5 cents (2026), roughly a 45% increase over 16 years.
The path was not linear. Notable declines occurred in 2016 and 2020-2021 when fuel and operating costs temporarily softened. The sharpest recent acceleration occurred in 2021-2023 amid broad inflation and supply-chain disruption.
For inflation-specific drivers, see How Inflation Impacts IRS Mileage Rates and Your Tax Deductions.
Rare Mid-Year Changes
IRS mid-year mileage updates are uncommon. In this period they occurred in 2011 and 2022.
- 2011: Business rate increased from 51 cents to 55.5 cents effective July 1.
- 2022: Business rate increased from 58.5 cents to 62.5 cents effective July 1.
When mid-year adjustments occur, taxpayers must apply each rate to miles driven in its effective period. The IRS Mileage Calculator supports split-year calculations.
What Drives Annual Rate Changes
- Fuel price changes (most visible short-term factor)
- Insurance premium trends
- Depreciation and vehicle price shifts
- Maintenance and repair inflation
- General inflation pressure across fixed and variable vehicle costs
Planning Use Cases
- Budget next-year reimbursement and deduction assumptions using a trend range.
- Stress-test high-mileage scenarios if fuel volatility returns.
- Re-run standard-vs-actual comparisons annually as rates move.
If you reimburse employees, pair this with employee reimbursement policy guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has the IRS mileage rate ever gone down?
Yes. There were declines in years such as 2016 and 2020-2021.
2. Why are there two rates for 2022?
The IRS issued a mid-year adjustment in response to rapid cost changes.
3. Does the charity rate move with inflation?
No. The 14-cent charity rate is statutory and does not auto-adjust annually.
4. How should businesses use this history?
Use it for budgeting, reimbursement policy updates, and tax estimate modeling.
5. What should I read next?
Start with the pillar IRS mileage guide and then review standard vs actual methods.
Explore Historical and Current Rate Scenarios
Use the IRS Mileage Calculator to test current and prior-year assumptions in seconds.