If Jane Doe -- let's say an attorney -- drives her car to a business meeting with a client, she can now (as of January 1, 2015) deduct 57.5¢ per mile on her tax return. If she drives, for instance, 50 miles, she can deduct $28.75. If, the next day she drives her car 50 miles to volunteer as an attorney at an immigration rights clinic, she can only deduct 14¢ per mile... $7 total.

The IRS raised its rates for business mileage from 56¢ in 2014 to 57.5¢ for 2015. We're glad the IRS has recognized that mileage costs have gone up, but they've gone up for volunteers, too! CalNonprofits has consistently supported efforts to make the volunteer mileage deduction equal to the business mileage deduction, but once again the IRS has not listened.

But don't forget to let volunteers know they can deduct unreimbursed mileage and other costs of doing volunteer work:

Mileage: 14¢ per mile

Transportation: bus, train, streetcar fares to get to and from volunteer activities

Home fundraisers: catering expenses if a volunteer hosts a board meeting, fundraiser or other event at his or her home

Reminder: such deductions are usually only for volunteers who itemize on their tax returns. Nonetheless, let all volunteers know about these possible deductions. It's one way that nonprofits can express their support for volunteerism. We've provided a Sample Form for Volunteer Mileage Deductions you can give to volunteers, in an easy-to-customize Word format.