Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 Second District residents write to me about the issues pending before Congress, and I work hard to respond to each person as promptly and thoughtfully as possible. On this "Letter of the Week" blog, I highlight constituent letters that are of general interest. If you'd like to share your own views, please feel free to e-mail me at any time!

Dear Nancy,

I would like you and other members of Congress to explore increasing the mileage rate for volunteer miles driven that can be taken as an itemized deduction on our federal income tax. The rate is currently 14 cents per mile. I'm not cerain what the federal government pays its employees for use of the employee's personal vehicle but I think it is over 40 cents per mile. It would seem for those of that do volunteer work would be able to claim a deduction at least somewhere close to that.

Thank You,

William Wood from Leavenworth, KS.

Dear William,

Thank you for contacting me regarding reimbursement rates for miles driven while volunteering.  Please accept my sincere apologies for the delay in this response.  I receive literally hundreds of letters every week, and my staff and I work hard to respond to each individual’s concerns.

Currently, volunteers that drive for charitable purposes (such as to provide “Meals on Wheels” or to be part of a volunteer fire company) may deduct mileage reimbursement from their income taxes.  For volunteers this rate is fixed at just 14 cents per mile.  Business travel reimbursement changes with increases in gas rates and inflation – right now it is 58.5 cents per mile.

H.R. 2020 will set the deduction for charitable purposes “at the standard rate for business purposes,” thus providing equality between charities and businesses as well as further encouraging those who look after the less fortunate in our society.  Given the hard work that these upstanding citizens perform, the very least that Congress can do is help reduce the costs that they incur as a result of their good deeds.  You can follow the progress of this bill at www.thomas.loc.gov. 

I hope you will be pleased to hear that I have co-sponsored this bill.  I believe that it is an important step towards forming a government policy which encourages members of our communities to volunteer.  Thanks again for contacting me and please feel free to contact me on this or any other issue.

Very truly yours, 

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress