State of Louisiana Mileage Reimbursement Laws

In my research I have found that unless you are an injured employee who is claiming Workers Compensation benefits, your employer does not have to reimburse you for travel expenses. There is no set mileage rate that they must follow, nor are they required by law to pay for business related travel. I have found that most employers do reimburse employees for travel expenses including a rate for mileage incurred when traveling for business. The rates and regulations that they use usually reflect that of the State.

State employees and some designated others are entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred in carrying out responsibilities that are for the benefit of the state.A state employee is entitled to be reimbursed for the mileage incurred during the use of a personally owned or leased motor vehicle. With the exceptions of tolls and parking expenses, a mileage reimbursement to a state employee is inclusive of all expenses associated with the employees operation of a personally owned or leased motor vehicle.The amount of reimbursement may not exceed the number of miles traveled as limited by the guide and the applicable mileage rate. Mileage is to be computed using actual odometer readings from the point of origin to the point of return, or by using a website mileage calculator such as Mapquest, Tripmaker, etc. The current mileage rate is $.405 per mile.

Also if you are injured on the job, for every trip you make to health care providers, the employer is bound to reimburse your round trip mileage. That means the miles to and from the destination. This includes trips to doctors (whether yours or theirs), tests, therapy, hospital, pharmacy, etc.

If you travel for work you may find it helpful to know that the IRS sets an optional standard mileage rate based on a number of factors. This is the maximum amount allowed as a deductible expense. If you are compensated at a rate lower than the amount, which is currently set at $.445 than you may claim the difference, but if you are paid at a higher amount, then you may be subject to report the excess as wages earned.