job interview - gas mileage

[Anonymous]

Im meeting a couple tomorrow and most likely going to be their PT nanny.

Job includes:
Meeting child at bus stop, driving to activities, help with homework, etc until parents come home.

The job is 4.5 hours a day. They did not specify if their is an activity every day. How much should I ask for gas? The hourly wage they offered is the least amount of money I personally would take. I wouldn't bring up gas $ most likely if the wage was higher.

Do I ask for $3-$5 more per day for gas? Ask for more per hour? Do I bring this up first, or give parent time to discuss?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

The federal standard mileage reimbursement rate for the 2013 calendar year is 56.5 cents per mile which is for business miles in personal cars, SUVs, minivans, trucks, etc. This is the category nannies using their own personal vehicles would fall under, as there are 2 others as well.

This would generally cover standard maintenance, repairs, taxes, gas, insurance, and registration fees. Essentially the standard mileage rate is intended to cover the expenses that one would report if he used the actual car expenses deduction, but the standard mileage reimbursement rate is simply an estimate and may end up being more or even less than your actual expenses.

You could also choose to keep track of all these items and ask to be reimbursed for them instead, maybe using a gas card for gas since it is the one that would be needing reimbursement most often, but the mileage rate is usually easier to use. You just keep track of all miles driven while ON THE JOB (not to and from work, your commute doesn't count).

Just tell them that this is what you prefer to do to keep it simple and so that there is no confusion over what gets covered and what doesn't etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The federal standard mileage reimbursement rate for the 2013 calendar year is 56.5 cents per mile which is for business miles in personal cars, SUVs, minivans, trucks, etc. This is the category nannies using their own personal vehicles would fall under, as there are 2 others as well.

This would generally cover standard maintenance, repairs, taxes, gas, insurance, and registration fees. Essentially the standard mileage rate is intended to cover the expenses that one would report if he used the actual car expenses deduction, but the standard mileage reimbursement rate is simply an estimate and may end up being more or even less than your actual expenses.

You could also choose to keep track of all these items and ask to be reimbursed for them instead, maybe using a gas card for gas since it is the one that would be needing reimbursement most often, but the mileage rate is usually easier to use. You just keep track of all miles driven while ON THE JOB (not to and from work, your commute doesn't count).

Just tell them that this is what you prefer to do to keep it simple and so that there is no confusion over what gets covered and what doesn't etc.

+1

[Anonymous]

The IRS rate is not the "federal standard"- it is the maximum an employer can reimburse you for gas without that reimbursement being considered additional income for tax purposes. Most employers do pay this amount, and it is what I would ask for, but keep in mind that you are asking for the maximum. Depending on your vehicle, the actual cost of wear and tear is probably less, so your employer may reasonably opt to pay for actual expenses instead.

[Anonymous]

Definitely bring up gas compensation,especially if you'll be required to drive longer distances for practices,etc. Last year I asked MB for gas compensation because I was expected to drive 26 miles RT for DC soccer camp and practices. Gas was over $4 a gallon and she looked at me like I had 3 heads! I was never compensated and ate up alot of my own $$ in gas. After that I told her that if she expects me to drive that much every day that I have to get compensated or he doesn't go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The IRS rate is not the "federal standard"- it is the maximum an employer can reimburse you for gas without that reimbursement being considered additional income for tax purposes. Most employers do pay this amount, and it is what I would ask for, but keep in mind that you are asking for the maximum. Depending on your vehicle, the actual cost of wear and tear is probably less, so your employer may reasonably opt to pay for actual expenses instead.

Actually, that is what they called it on the website that I was looking at. Some add Federal to it but even the IRS calls them the STANDARD MILEAGE RATES. They also state on the IRS site "This rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government...". What is the definition of benchmark? "A standard or point of reference against which things may be compared or assessed." So yet again, STANDARD mileage rate.

You will notice that I actually SAID in my post that it could be more or less for actual expenses, and if people wanted to reimburse for actual expenses instead that is also another route you can take... But that can get very complicated as to what is covered in your contract and keeping track of it all. Which is why most people just use this rate.