GSA raises mileage reimbursement rate

WASHINGTON (govexec.com) -- The General Services Administration has increased the federal mileage reimbursement rate for travel by car two cents to 36.5 cents per mile.

GSA sets the mileage reimbursement rate for federal employees. By law (41 CFR Part 301-10), the governmentwide rate cannot exceed the Internal Revenue Services’ rate. In November 2001, the IRS adopted a new standard mileage reimbursement rate of 36.5 cents per mile.

GSA’s decision to mirror the IRS rate was announced Jan. 8 and is expected to be published in the Federal Register by early next week, according to Jim Harte, an agency spokesman.

"The rate will be effective for travel on -- or after -- Jan. 21, 2002," Harte said.

Under federal travel regulations, employees may use personal vehicles for official travel if authorized by their agency. If an agency authorizes travel by other means, such as travel by air, and employees drive their own car instead, reimbursement rates are limited to the cost of the authorized means of travel.