(WASHINGTON, November 25, 2008) -- Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector, today issued a statement regarding the 2009 standard mileage rates that the Internal Revenue Service has just released. The rates are used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes.

"The adjustment by the IRS of the standard mileage rates for vehicle use highlights the problem that volunteers face -- they can only deduct 14 cents per mile when driving on behalf of charities serving their communities, far less than if they were conducting private business, moving, or obtaining health services. In recent months, charitable organizations have found it increasingly difficult to attract and retain volunteers to drive for them due to the fluctuating price of gasoline and the current economic crisis. Congress should raise the mileage deduction rate to encourage volunteers to continue the tradition of Americans helping each other in difficult times.”

For more information on the importance of the volunteer mileage reimbursement and deduction, please visit: http://independentsector.org/programs/gr/Vehicle_Mileage.htm.

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Independent Sector is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of approximately 550 charities, foundations, and corporate giving programs, collectively representing tens of thousands of charitable groups in every state across the nation. Its mission is to advance the common good by leading, strengthening, and mobilizing the nonprofit and philanthropic community.