IRS Increases Standard Mileage Rate to $0.76/Mile, Effective July 1, 2026
The IRS has announced a mid-year increase to the standard mileage rate, raising it from $0.725 to $0.76 per mile for business use, effective July 1, 2026,
This is a rare off-cycle adjustment. The IRS typically sets this rate once a year, but rising fuel prices prompted the mid-year revision.
What this means for VCU travelers: Effective July 1, 2026, mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle use on university business will be calculated at the new $0.76/mile rate.
The revised rate applies to expenses incurred on or after July 1, 2026, therefore trips taken before that date would still be reimbursed at the previous $0.725 rate.
The updated rate is already reflected in Emburse Enterprise – no action is needed on your part.
A reminder on cost-effective travel: While the higher mileage rate helps offset rising fuel costs, VCU continues to recommend that travelers consider an alternative method of transportation – such as rental car, train, or air – when a trip exceeds 200 round-trip miles. For longer distances, these options are often more cost-effective and time-efficient than personal vehicle mileage reimbursement, even at the new rate.
If you have any questions about how this change affects an upcoming trip or your Emburse mileage entries, please contact the Travel & Expense Management team at [email protected].
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