IRS raises auto mileage rate

The Internal Revenue Service has increased the mileage rate they use to compute the deductible costs of mileage for business travel due to the large jump in gas prices.
They say gas prices might decline by 2006 so it is not set for past this year yet. "This is about fairness for taxpayers," said IRS Commissioner Mark Everson. "People are entitled to deduct the real cost of operating a vehicle. We've responded to the recent gas price increases by making this special adjustment so taxpayers get the tax benefit they deserve." The tax-collecting agency raised the standard mileage rate to 48.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven in the past four months. That is an 8 cent raise from last year. Do you think this is fair? They are giving a break to people who drive for business but no one else.