Mileage Reimbursement Law Regulations in the State of Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi code states that the rate at which an employee is to be reimbursed for mileage cannot be less than $.20 cents per mile and shall not be greater than the current federal standard amount that is currently $.445 per mile. Most employers will reimburse their employees at or around this amount. The IRS determines this amount as the maximum allowable for tax deduction purposes. Some employers pay their employees at a rate lower than that set forth by the IRS and in that case the difference may be deducted for tax purposes, however if paid at a higher rate than the excess may be counted as taxable income.

When any officer or employee of the State of Mississippi, or any department, agency or institution thereof, after first being duly authorized, is required to travel in the performance of his official duties, such officer or employee shall receive as expenses for each mile actually and necessarily traveled, when such travel is done by a privately owned automobile or other privately owned motor vehicle, the mileage reimbursement rate allowable to federal employees for the use of a privately owned vehicle while on official travel.

All travel shall be by the most economical mode of transportation available considering travel time, costs, and work requirements. Modes of transportation include the usual means, such as trains, buses, taxicabs, airplanes, automobiles. Travel arrangements made by plane, boat or train must be the least costly reasonable alternative. All travel must be by the most direct route.

Most employers have their own definitions of what constitutes a business travel expense and to what extent they are reimbursable, however the majority will allow for miles traveled, and if traveling for an extended period, meals and lodging. If you work for a company that requires a lot of travel than you are probably aware of these. If travel is not a usual part of your duty than you should discuss with your employer what their policies on travel are, how much you will be reimbursed and the procedures for claiming your expenses.