2017 Standard Mileage Rates for Business, Medical and Moving Announced

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2017 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2017, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 54 cents for 2016
• 17 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 19 cents for 2016
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The business mileage rate decreased half a cent per mile and the medical and moving expense rates each dropped 2 cents per mile from 2016. The charitable rate is set by statute and remains unchanged.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.

Business use of of Home Deduction

If you use part of your home for business, you may be able to deduct expenses for the business use of your home. These expenses may include mortgage interest, insurance, utilities, repairs, and depreciation.

  To qualify to claim expenses for the business use of your home, you must meet both of the following tests.

1. The business part of your home must be used exclusively and regularly for your trade or business.
2. The business part of your home must be:
   1. Your principal place of business; or
   2. A place where you meet or deal with patients, clients, or customers in the normal course of your trade or business; or
   3. A separate structure (not attached to your home) used in connection with your trade or business.

  You generally do not have to meet the exclusive use test for the part of your home that you regularly use either for the storage of inventory or product samples, or as a daycare facility.

  Your home office qualifies as your principal place of business if you meet the following requirements.

• You use the office exclusively and regularly for administrative or management activities of your trade or business.
• You have no other fixed location where you conduct substantial administrative or management activities of your trade or business.

  If you have more than one business location, determine your principal place of business based on the following factors.

• The relative importance of the activities performed at each location.
• If the relative importance factor does not determine your principal place of business, consider the time spent at each location.

Hold Tax Refund until February 15

Where's My Refund? is updated no more than once every 24 hours, usually overnight.

*Beginning in 2017, if you claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit, the IRS must hold your refund until after February 15. Learn more on when to expect your refund.

When to check status of your refund:

• • Within 24 hours after we've received your e-filed tax return; or
  • 4 weeks after mailing your paper return.

When the IRS processes your tax return and approves your refund, you can see your actual personalized refund date. Even though the IRS issues most refunds in less than 21 days after we receive your tax return, it’s possible your tax return may require additional review and take longer. 

Filing Tax For Non Profit

If you do not carry on your business or investment activity to make a profit, you cannot use a loss from the activity to offset other income. Activities you do as a hobby, or mainly for sport or recreation, are often not entered into for profit.

The limit on not-for-profit losses applies to individuals, partnerships, estates, trusts, and S corporations. It does not apply to corporations other than S corporations.

In determining whether you are carrying on an activity for profit, several factors are taken into account. No one factor alone is decisive. Among the factors to consider are whether:

• You carry on the activity in a businesslike manner,
• The time and effort you put into the activity indicate you intend to make it profitable,
• You depend on the income for your livelihood,
• Your losses are due to circumstances beyond your control (or are normal in the start-up phase of your type of business),
• You change your methods of operation in an attempt to improve profitability,
• You (or your advisors) have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business,
• You were successful in making a profit in similar activities in the past,
• The activity makes a profit in some years, and
• You can expect to make a future profit from the appreciation of the assets used in the activity.