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More Than Just Mileage Rates

Understanding IRS Notice 2026-10: More Than Just Mileage Rates

When the IRS recently announced the 2026 standard mileage rates, the focus was squarely on the increase in the business rate to 72.5 cents per mile. Yet, IRS Notice 2026-10 offers more than just updated mileage rates; it also includes several technical provisions that are critical for tax and wealth advisors seeking to ensure sound tax planning and compliance.

Beyond the Basic Rates

Indeed, the headline-grabbing news includes not just the 72.5 cents for business use but also 20.5 cents for medical and moving purposes, and 14 cents for charitable driving. However, Notice 2026-10, set to appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2026-04 on January 20, 2026, delves into other complex calculations that significantly impact client advisement.

The Basis Reduction Component

A crucial detail often overlooked is that the business standard mileage rate requires reducing a vehicle's tax basis through depreciation. This adjustment is critical when disposing of the car. Notice 2026-10 delineates the specific depreciation amount needed to reduce basis in 2026, separating the operational cost from the capital recovery component. Missteps here could lead to erroneous gain or loss calculations upon disposition.

Planning Point: For clients utilizing standard mileage rates over several years, it is vital to track these yearly basis adjustments diligently. Accurate depreciation history is essential for calculating the correct taxable gain or loss upon vehicle sale.

Fixed and Variable Rate Plans

Employers offering company vehicles or vehicle allowances will find that Notice 2026-10 establishes the guidelines for the maximum standard automobile cost applicable to Fixed and Variable Rate (FAVR) plans. FAVR plans, favoring a mix of fixed (insurance, registration, depreciation) and variable (fuel, maintenance) payments, often provide more precision than simple mileage reimbursements.

The notice sets the 2026 ceiling for these calculations, ensuring that FAVR reimbursements remain regular and tax-free.

Fleet-Average and Cents-Per-Mile Valuation Rules

Employer-provided vehicles for personal use must consider taxable compensation nuances. Notice 2026-10 describes two valuation methods:

Fleet-Average Valuation Rule: This method provides a consistent value across fleets of 20 or more vehicles, with a maximum fair market value threshold that prevents estimates from exceeding it.

Vehicle Cents-Per-Mile Valuation Rule: This simplification permits a per-mile valuation for specific vehicles, with a stipulated FMV ceiling set out in the 2026-specific notice.

Why This Matters: These valuation thresholds directly influence how employers report taxable fringe benefits on W-2 forms. Inadequate valuation methods could lead to understating taxable compensation and employment taxes.

First-Year Election Reminder

A reminder is underscored in the notice: taxpayers must elect the standard mileage rate within the first year a vehicle is ready for business use. Missing this can mean using actual expenses exclusively for the vehicle’s life. For leased vehicles, the choice to use the standard mileage rate is binding for the entire lease duration.

Documentation Requirements Unchanged

While financial adjustments are made, the documentation requirements remain steadfast. Clients must maintain detailed mileage logs, including:

  • Date of trips

  • Business destination and purpose

  • Miles driven

  • Total annual mileage (both business and personal)

The significance of proper documentation grows as rates rise.

Practical Application

As tax and wealth advisors, our task extends beyond declaring, "The rate rose by 2.5 cents." Here’s our actionable guide:

Year-end 2025: Evaluate if clients using actual expenses should switch to standard mileage for vehicles placed in service in 2026.

Early 2026: Adjust any FAVR plans to meet new automobile cost ceilings and ensure vehicles using special valuation rules adhere to updated FMV thresholds.

Ongoing: Diligently track basis for vehicles using standard mileage, integrating the 2026 depreciation component specified in Notice 2026-10.

Client Education: Emphasize to self-employed clients and business owners that inadequate mileage documentation is an easy target for IRS adjustments, one often challenging to contest without detailed, contemporaneous records.

The Complete Picture

Notice 2026-10 offers more than mileage rate updates; it provides vital technical guidance on vehicle-related tax calculations for the upcoming year. The standard mileage rates might grab attention, but the provisions on basis reduction, FAVR plans, and employer-provided vehicle valuation are equally crucial for compliance and planning accuracy.

Advisors should examine the complete notice in IRB 2026-04, not just the rate upgrade. Details matter significantly, especially when faced with IRS inquiries years later about gain calculations on vehicle sales or valuation methods used for fleet vehicles.

Have questions about vehicle expense strategies, basis calculations, or the taxation of employer-provided vehicles? These technical provisions require a precise approach—we're here to help you align them correctly.

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Securities offered through PFS Investments Inc., member FINRA & SIPC. Investment advisory services may be offered through PFS Investments Inc. or, where applicable, through a separately registered investment adviser. Paul D. Diaz is an IRS Enrolled Agent & IRS Certifying Acceptance Agent and provides ITIN/W-7, tax preparation, tax resolution, and tax advisory services through THE TAX CUTTERY®, an independent firm. Tax services are not offered through PFS Investments Inc. or its affiliates and are solely the responsibility of THE TAX CUTTERY®. This message is not intended as an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction where such offer or solicitation would be unauthorized. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Paul D. Diaz, EA, MBA, has unlimited representation rights before the Internal Revenue Service.