Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program of CCAR

Leadership --

2009-08-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

The key to successful leadership today is influence, not authority. ~ Kenneth Blanchard

Few people have influenced the day-to-day management of people and companies more than Ken Blanchard. A prominent, sought-after author, speaker, and business consultant, Blanchard is universally characterized by his friends, colleagues, and clients as one of the most insightful, powerful, and compassionate individuals in business today. Ken is one of the most influential leadership experts in the world and is respected for his years of groundbreaking work in the fields of leadership and management.

GREEN Realtors® - Environmental Real Estate Options for Existing Homes

2009-08-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

by Bob McCranie

I'm very happy to announce that I have been selected to teach a session at this year's Renewable Energy Roundup in Fredericksburg, TX this September. If things go as scheduled, my session will be on Saturday, Sept 26th at 5 pm.

GREEN Realtors® - Environmental Real Estate Options for Existing Homes

Building a green home is a dream of every environmentalist. But most of us live in existing homes that need improving. Over the last 6 years my partner and I have improved our home in Carrollton, TX adding a variety of green features to the property. By doing so, we have shaved 10,000 kwh off our annual electric usage, added 1200 gallons of rain water retention to property and recently installed solar water heating. We have had some experiments that haven’t worked and educated our city inspectors along the way. This presentation will share our successes and our failures in an interactive discussion.

Bob McCranie is a real estate broker in the Dallas area. He is one of the first 100 agents in Texas and one of the first 1,000 in the nation to earn the new GREEN Realtor Designation. As frequent participants at the Renewal Energy Roundup, Bob and his partner, Warren Sippel, have integrated green principles into our home, our businesses, and our family & friend’s homes and businesses. Bob McCranie has been a real estate agent since 2003 and have earned his Brokers license, and the GRI and CRS designations.

DFW HOMES UNDERVALUED

2009-06-05T23:16:00.001-07:00

DALLAS (Dallas Morning News) – Home prices in the Dallas area are almost 32 percent undervalued, according to an IHS Global Insight study.

The same study indicates that prices in DFW have remained virtually unchanged over the year ending with first quarter 2009.

Texas housing has traditionally been considered undervalued because of the ease of building in the state, said Jeannine Cataldi, senior economist with Global Insight.

Prices declined in 199 of the 300 markets surveyed.

SAT Smoke Detector Event CANCELLED

2009-04-17T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hello - rainy Friday afternoon! The LCAR / GFD / Habitat smoke detector event for SAT morning has been CANCELLED due to weather......RAIN date is not known at this time. Thank You and have a safe weekend. -rodney 214.597.5525

REMINDER

2009-04-13T15:26:00.000-07:00

Saving One Family At A Time (Community Service Project) is this SATURDAY - April 18th 8am - 12noon. Our group will meet at 1500 E. State HWY 66 Garland TX 75040 . T-Shirt & Lunch provided.

This is the event I volunteered us (TRLP3) for. The TRLP logo is on all the flyers and will be on 200 t-shirts. That costs $250. Several have commited $25. Some have sent $25(thank you Leisa & Mary N & Rodney). Please consider sending a check made to Habitat for Humanity today. And, join us if you have some free time SAT morning. NO physical labor involved - - we are working side-by-side with the Garland Fire Dept. and The Boy Scouts. I have the flyers IF you would like to see it. Email me for my address and I will send you the flyer. Thank you!

Class 1, 2, and 4 -- you are certainly welcome to attend as well. I just didn't want to ask you for $$$$$. : )

N.A.R. meetings in Washington DC

2009-03-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

Howdy! Anyone going to N.A.R. meetings in May in Washington DC?? I am going - looking for a male roommate. Thank you -Rodney 214.597.5525 or RodRowan@aol.com

New Incentives on Solar Water Heating!

2009-03-10T22:33:00.000-07:00

ONCOR ADDS INCENTIVE PROGRAM
DALLAS (Oncor) – Monday, Oncor expanded its solar energy initiatives to include the Take A Load Off, Texas Solar Water Heating Incentive Program.

Oncor’s Solar Water Heating Incentive Program offers cash incentives for the purchase and installation of qualifying residential solar water heating systems. Oncor expects to install about 1,100 new solar systems over the next four years through this $2 million program. Only homes served by Oncor and using electric water heating systems are eligible.

By preheating water with the sun’s energy, systems typically reduce the electricity required for hot water needs by 40 to 85 percent. Oncor will pay an incentive of $600 to $1,500 per installed system, based on the system’s predicted performance.
As a result of its 31 programs that encourage energy efficiency, Oncor will operate one of the largest energy efficiency initiatives sponsored by a regulated utility in Texas.

For more information on the Solar Water Heating Incentive Program and other Oncor energy efficiency programs, visit http://www.oncor.com/electricity/teem/default.aspx.

GREEN Presentation Tomorrow - March 4th - WCR Dallas!

2009-03-03T18:11:00.000-08:00

Women's Council of REALTORS

Wednesday, March 4 2009 - 11:30am - 1:00pm
-----------
Dallas Athletic Club - 4111 LaPrada in Mesquite

Presenter: Bob McCranie
Let's All do our Share to Go Green!
*Tips on small steps to take
* What can we do in our own homes

NAR Launches 'Green Designation"

Realtors! Did you know that National Association of Realtors has launched a green designation? THis is a perfect opportunity to get a head start on what issues are at hand and how we can do our part to help. Many consumers are asking questions and now, you will be the expert.
Call or log on to NAR for more details.

Community Project---SMOKE ALARMS

2009-02-16T14:47:00.000-08:00

Howdy TRLP'ers ........ specifically TRLP 3........ but 1,2, and 4 are welcome to read this post as well. This is Rodney Rowan over here in the Lake Cities area of town (Garland,Rowlett,Rockwall)......I attended a meeting the other day concerning a public service project INSTALLING SMOKE ALARMS alongside the Garland Fire Department & the Boy Scouts........ they are asking for SIX different groups to sponsor a small portion of the costs. I VOLUNTEERED TRLP to $250. The date is April 18th and again in October. For the $250 we get 1) a chance to volunteer and walk the neighborhood - no hard work involved 2) the TRLP LOGO on 200 shirts and 3) a FREE lunch those 2 days. I hope that YOU will consider donating a small amount of money and maybe even some of your time in April & October. Email me direct at RodRowan@aol.com for questions/comments/concerns. Thank you for your kind consideration..............

On-Line News

2009-01-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

On this coming Tuesday at noon, the National Association of Property Managers will host their first on-line e-chapter meeting. We have at least three TRLPers that are members of NARPM and we have 100 folks signed up to be in this webinar (wow). I am Vice Chair of this new E-Chapter for the National organization, as well as serve on the National Professional Development Committee and I am excited about this prospect and the knowledge to bring these type meetings and the "webinar" to our organizations and groups.

I am your Chair of the Property Management Committee for CCAR and we will meet that same morning after the MLS networking meeting. Please join us.

You keep hearing about Facebook. My last post brought several more folks into facebook. Find some time and explore the communication of "now" and the "future". The networking, finding folks your connected to in all walks of life, and the opportunity to let folks know who are, and to build your business is huge.

Be Cnya Dave Christensen

SAVE THE DATE!

2009-01-16T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

SAVE THE DATE BELOW! I'll have more event details and ticket information in the coming weeks for those interested in attending.

Gigi

HIGH ROLLER CASINO PARTY FUNDRAISER

Benefitting the SPCA of Texas

Hosted by Titan Home Theater in Plano

Thursday, March 5
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Casino Tables
Hors d'oeuvres & Cocktails
Silent Auction
Art Gallery
Door Prizes
Movies & Games

CCAR Installation...............

2009-01-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Thursday 236pm Just returned from the installation - congrats Dan Robertson 2009 CCAR President. TRLP III was mentioned a couple times...... for the GREEN Program (thanks BOB) ....... Coyle passed off his last year Affiliate of the year award to MARY NELSON..... congrats Mary ..... and, our very own Larry Millson WON the New Orleans trip !!!! Hope to see some of you Friday night at Poor David's to support Dave on the NEW CD release..... Rodney & Jill will be there.

Happy New Year

Time to sign up for TAR Winter Meeting if you're going!

2008-12-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

I just signed up to go back to the TAR Winter Meeting on February 20-24th. Is anyone else going? Winter Meeting is FREE to members of TAR and I also signed up for the additional Professional Standards meeting on Friday for $75.

Let me know if anyone else will be there. Sign up at http://www.texasrealtors.com/web/79/wter_09/

Facebook - You need to do it

2008-12-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

As we settle into the holidays and have some time for ourselves I highly recommend TRLP members who are the walking the walk of leaders get their facebook profile up. It is one of the things you need to do for your career and your self to get connected to the industry and friends. Here is my profile link to help you immediately find folks to add to your network and through them you find many others you know. I created a group today for TRLP members who are already there (quite a few). Search TRLP in groups and distinguish the CCAR one. You can also check the other groups I belong to. Have fun facebooking. Its cool.

Remember my CD Release Party is Fri Jan 9th at the Premier Dallas Club for Original Artists, Poor Davids Pub. I am the Songwriter and Singer for the band and hope you will come and support my music efforts. You will really enjoy this CD. It is another compilation of years worth of writing. All you folks have a great Holiday if if don't get to see you in pertzon before then.

Daves Profile on Facebook and also solepoets.com ("Place in the Sun" from the new CD is posted there, click listen)

Remembering Highland Homes During the Holidays

2008-12-11T14:53:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone,

Jean Ann Brock's office address is below. I would like to encourage all of your to send her a holiday/Christmas card thanking her and Highland for their support for the TRLP program.

We are hoping to plan some fun events with Highland during the month of February as a way to show our appreciation for their sponsorship of the TRLP program for the past 4 years.

Thank you in advance for your participation!

Gigi

Ms. Jean Ann Brock
Highland Homes
5601 Democracy Dr., Ste. 300
Plano, Texas 75024

I'll be home for Christmas...if you'll take me!

2008-12-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

Please pass this along to anyone you know who may be looking for a Christmas puppy.

From Tracie: Yesterday afternoon (12/01/08), around 5:00 PM, the children and I went to the park. There was no one else there, probably because it was rather chilly. We played around some trees, not yet going to the playground equipment. After about five minutes, a little puppy wandered over to us. As we picked it up and talked to it, another one wandered over! Then I saw a third! Which led me to walk around and see TWO MORE!!! FIVE PUPPIES shivering in the cold! There were six total, but one had already died. I looked around a bit for a mother dog, but I was pretty sure since one puppy had already died that these guys had been abandoned at the park. So. . .what to do but load them up into the car and bring them home! And now, I hope that anyone who can will take one, because we seriously can't keep five dogs! There are four females and one male. :-) If you can't take one (or two), then tell your friends, please! Thanks! Two of them look like they MIGHT grow up to be small-to-medium in size (their paws are bigger than the other dogs' paws). The other three look like they should be pretty small. They can call my cell number at 817-733-0270 (Tracie) . Please tell them to feel free to text and/or leave a message (if I don't answer when they call). Also, they can email me with any questions. . .if they want to know if one is reserved or outgoing, etc.

Thank you!

Awards and Accolades

2008-12-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone -

Congratulations are in order for Dave Goff and Sally Bartz from Class II, and Rodney Rowan from Class III

At the WCR Installation this morning, Dave was named WCR 2007 Affiliate of the Year, and Sally was named WCR 2007 REALTOR of the Year!!!

Rodney Rowan from Class III was named REALTOR of the Year at the WCR Metro East Installation last night!

Lake Cities Installation.............

2008-12-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Not everyone received a personal invitation to our (LCAR) installation next week....... So, I wanted to post this for all to see....... hope you can make it....... The Special Events Center is a short hop from CCAR off 190 in Garland.

Lake Cities Association of REALTORS request the honor of your presence at the Installation of the 2009 Officers & Directors And the Presentation of the 2008 Awards.

Wednesday, the 10th Day of December, 2008

Special Events Center - 4999 Naaman Forest Blvd. Garland TX 75040

11:30 Luncheon

$35.00 Per Person/Business Attire

RSVP - LCAR 972.276.1139 credit cards accepted over the phone.....

Thank You
Rodney Rowan, REALTOR
Coldwell Banker Apex
214.597.5525
TRLP III Graduate

TRLP Alumni Recap

2008-11-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

I have been hearing about an Alumni group being needed for 3 years and we had the initial meeting of current and past TRLP participants at the Titan Home Theatre facility which was an excellent venue to watch a pathetic Dallas Cowboy effort...it will take more than Romo to make the playoffs this year !
We had plenty of food and not enough people but then again it was another beautiful fall day in Texas.
Would anyone be interested in a Spring Potluck at my Ranch ? We can ride horses or just brush 'em and feed 'em if that is more enjoyable for you. We can fish in the stock tank, mess with the cows and donkey....or just relax in the peace and quiet of the country, tell stories, drink wine, beer, iced tea or cold drinks and feel the sun on our faces or sit in the shade of the pecan or mesquite trees.
You can come naked or in your overalls...but if you're over 40, I'm really thinkin' you oughta wear something so we can all maintain our appetites !! Nah, I reckon everybody needs to be dressed cuz I don't want to scare the animals !!
Anyway, something to think about and we can RECYCLE all of our stuff to maintain the integrity of Class III's project and to keep my ranch clean too !!
I hope everyone is doing well and Class IV just had their retreat at Spirit of the West in Tioga,Texas with TRLP Grads Tim Lansford, Sally Bartz and Dave Christiansen leading work sessions and I facilitated the first day...so if you have the desire to continue to participate in TRLP, give me a call and we will fit you in to a session when possible !
Take care and enjoy the Fall season.

Bob's Renewal Energy Roundup Update

2008-09-30T00:47:00.000-07:00

Renewable Energy Roundup September 2008

We went to the Texas Renewal Energy Roundup in Fredericksburg, TX this September and I wanted to give everyone a chance to see what was there. This information is not presented in any order of importance. I simply wanted to document as much as I could.

Texas-Wide Projects & Information

Texas has the most wind-produced energy in the United States and is far outpacing the rest of the nation. Pretty soon Texas will generate 15% of its electrical needs from wind alone. The state is building transmission lines to West Texas to get this power to the grid. We are on a good path to be a leader for wind energy.

As for Plug-In Hybrids and Electric Cars -- 2010 should be the year of the electric car and plug-in hybrids. You drive the car as usual, but when you get home, you plug your car into a standard 110 outlet and give it 3 or 4 hours to recharge. There is a small gas recharging engine allows the car limitless range, but the plug-in feature allows for rapid recharging at low electric rates. "Smart Chargers" will be available for home installation which will allow utility companies to limit when cars can be charged on the grid. There is a lot of extra capacity in the evenings and nights. It's estimated that the current electrical grid could accomidate 115 million cars at off peak times.

A standard gas cars produces lots of CO2, about 275 parts per million. Hybrids produce about 170 ppm. Plug in hybrids recharged using electricity from a coal-fired power plant equates to 190 ppm. But Plug-in Hybrids recharged on natural gas powered electrical plants only equate to 65ppm. So the coal fired plants are a necessity but they still have a ways to go to help the air quality. If we get the wind plants up and going at full speed, we can drive that down to zero.

Projects For Your Home

Solar Water Heating

A solar water heater has two basic elements. The Solar Collector which heats up the water and a holding Tank that holds it. The Solar Collector can heat the water directly or it can heat a water & anti-freeze mixture that is then used to heat the water. These are very efficient systems and they are used all over Europe and the Middle East. According the one of the speakers, similar systems were used up until the early 1900's when electric companies gave away free water heaters so that families would use electricity.

There are two versions of the Solar Collector that are popular. One is a flat panel, the other is vacuum tubes.

Flat panels are dark glass panels with copper tubes running through them. The disadvantages are that the panel is less effective when it's not aimed directly at the sun. As the sun travels across the sky, the panel loses effectiveness. Plus, if there's a hail storm, one hit to the panel will take down the system. (both systems are designed to take a 1" hail storm hit).

Sunrise Solar

www.SolarTexas.com

The Vacuum Tube system has 10, 20, or 30 vacuum tubes each with a metal rod that heats up and then transfers that heat to the top of the rod and heats the water. The advantages are that no matter where the sun is, the tube is just as effective and even if one tube gets broken, the rest of them stay active. Both of these systems are around $6000. But with the 1/3 tax credit you get for renewable energy options, the cost is reduced to around $4,000.

Clean Energy

www.CleanEnergyServicesLLC.com

Home Wind Solutions

	This is a vertical axis wind system. The advantages are that they work in lower wind speeds and they catch the wind from any direction. They are also very quiet compared to standard turbines. You can also put 2 or 3 on the same tower which can be a great cost savings. We will be getting a bid on this system for our home in a few months.
	This is a new system called a wind ball. Again, because the fan blades are folded back, they are very quiet. We will consider this one but we like the idea of being able to mount several turbines on one pole.

Rain Water Reclamation

This is a project we completed this year. In essence you gutter your roof line and divert all water into tanks & barrels, saving that water for yards, pools, and outdoor use. Or you add purification and pumps and you use it for potable uses.

In a 1 inch rain, a 1000 square foot house can gather around 600 gallons of water. If you have a one story home with 2000 square feet of living space, you would get 1200 gallons in a 1 inch rain.

	If you're using the water for outdoor uses, you can get by with rain barrels. There are many to choose from or you can even build your own with some screens and hoses. This barrel is one of the most expensive I've seen but it has large capacity. It's available from www.RainFilters.com.
	This is a 300 gallon "Ong Jar" that is a beautiful way to hold water on your property. They are much more expensive than most but they are pretty. There are much cheaper ways to do this. Rain water reclamation is something city folks can do easily.

A Different Water Fountain

This water cooler requires not water hookup or tanks. This is a dehumidifier with

at special coil that keeps the water from tasting metallic. This system only

requires a little electricity and provides cool water in return.

Solar Ovens

Basically, these are Crock-pots powered by the sun.

Solar ovens use the sun to cook food at temperatures over 200 degrees. There are several varieties and options...you can even make one yourself out of your windshield sun screen. I purchased one made of recycled water bottles and I'll let you know how it does. Basically you load it with your cooking pots in the morning and face it towards the sun. About 4 or 5 hours later things are done.

Hydrogen Fuel Cells

This is a small Hydrogen Fuel Cell experiment put on by the Texas State Technical College of Waco. They had this same exhibit last year but it's interesting to watch a working fuel cell. We are not expecting to see production fuel cells for several years unfortunately.

Counter Tops & Floors

Flooring made of Cork and Bamboo are popular in the renewable community. Both are easily available. Cork is made from tree bark and bamboo grows like mad so it's easy to harvest and replant. This vendor also had American Hardwoods. When I asked him about these he said that since the American furniture industry has collapsed, there's no use for the timber. So consider that too. I personally love the bamboo product which looks so much like traditional hardwood. I just don't know if today's consumer is ready to see cork floors. You decide.

	Eco-Wise Environmental Remodeling & Construction www.EcoWise.com Counter tops made of recycled glass Natural Formica...no oil or plastic products

Concrete Counter tops

contact www.element7concretedesigns.com

Building Supplies

	This is an aerated concrete product. They pump oxygen into the concrete making it lighter and using less for the same space, but it's incredibly strong. See pictures of nails in the blocks. Xella- Charles J Smith www.xellatexas.com Charles.Smith@xella.com
This is a different construction method where Styrofoam forms are set with rebar and then concrete is poured into the form. These walls are very well insulated and extremely strong.

Solar Attic Fans

Solar Attic Fans can be installed on your roof and then they cost you nothing to run for the life of the fan. There were two vendors selling products at the Roundup.

www.air-streamservices.com

www.Solatube.com

Residential Photovoltaic Packages

This is what everyone thinks of with solar energy. The sun hits the panels, releases electrons and they flow down and provide energy to your home. Okay, there's a bit more to it but that's the overview. These cells are still very expensive and will most likely only provide a portion of your electric needs. Your first job should be to reduce your needs by doing an energy audit and taking steps to conserve. Solar works well in combination with wind energy so that both can work together. We're hoping that in the next few years cells will be reduced. Also, tax credits for solar and wind are available but only cover 1/3rd of the costs.

BioDiesel

Laugh all you want, this is a growing market. Many people are running their large trucks on used cooking oil. People at the fair were selling stills you could use to clean and convert the oil in two or three simple steps. Getting the oil for little cost, if any, and then putting it in your tank is a big cost savings. Old Volvo and BMW diesels are being sold for good money these days. Check out www.BioDiesel.org

Home Builders

Solluna Builders - www.SollunaBuilders.com

Afordable Steel Home Builders - www.AlfordSteelHomes.com

Earth Sheltered Homes - www.EarthShelteredHome.com

Energy Audits of your home

www.SRE3.com They will help you determine what elements of your

Electric Inverters and Meters

ExelTech - www.Excltech.com

Paints

Green Coat Interior Paint Systems has Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) by Kelly Moore Paints

Congratulations from Kay

2008-08-26T08:13:00.000-07:00

TRLP III Class, Legacy Project Chairperson, SHELLY ROGERS, & BOB MCCRANIE, Green Project Chairperson:

Congratulations to ALL for winning an award that ultimately affects everyone's environment and for planting the seeds for futuristic thinking for efficiency and improvement of everyone's quality of life, for today and tomorrow.

Thank you for embracing the project as a Team effort and for implementing the details.

And to MARY LEIDY, thank you for entering CCAR for the award. The recognition for our Association sends a positive, pro-active message to our communities/clients that we serve.

Together, we make a difference!

Kay Wright
President Elect

Green Contest Winners

2008-08-26T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

I entered CCAR in the North Texas Corporate Recycling Association 2008 Green
Award. Celebrating efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

We won for Sustainability!! :)

* Sustainability is an approach to decision-making that integrates
environmental and social concerns into business and economic decisions;
considering more than cost, performance and aesthetics. Distilled to
its very essence, the core issues are long term durability, increased
utilization of limited resources and waste reduction.

Congrats to the TRLP Class III for an outstanding Legacy Project!!

"Helping to provide the tools and resources for our Members to
succeed"

Mary Leidy, e-PRO
Chief Operating Officer/Acting CEO
Collin County Association of REALTORS, Inc.

REALTOR Rodeo.............

2008-07-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

2008 Best of the West REALTOR Rodeo - Family/Kid Friendly Event

August 16, 2008 (Saturday ) 4p - 10p

Ft. Worth Stockyards

Adults $35 (parking, dinner, Rodeo). After-Party at Billy Bob's $10.
Rodney has TICKETS & information IF you know someone that would like to advertise....... 4 Levels of advertising - $2500 to $250.

This is a public Rodeo with bull riding, roping, calf scramble for the kids and approximately 50 REALTORS will be the intermission entertainment. Rodney Rowan 214.597.5525

Red, White & Green!!! Update on the Green Project

2008-07-04T12:32:00.001-07:00

Hello TRLP folks

Well, I did another presentation, this time out at the Lake Cities Association of Realtors. It went really well thanks to Rodney's planning. I am still willing and happy to do more of these presentations so please help me book places.

We got our rain water reclamation project nearly finished. We guttered the whole house and we went from one rain barrel to three barrels and two 330 gallon tanks (they were formerly Hawaian Punch Fruit Box juice holders that we found at a feed store.

I'm still working on the micro-turbine electric generators. I've spoken to two electricians who think it's not a serious system so I'm still considering what to do.

Hope you are all doing well. Sorry I missed the graduation. I hope you guys can come to lunch on the fourth Thursday of each month at Cantina Laredo (Tollway & Trinity Mills).

IRS Increases Mileage Rates through 12/31/08

2008-06-26T12:47:00.000-07:00

IR-2008-82, June 23, 2008

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2008. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

The rate will increase to 58.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven from July 1, 2008, through Dec. 31, 2008. This is an increase of eight (8) cents from the 50.5 cent rate in effect for the first six months of 2008, as set forth in Rev. Proc. 2007-70.
In recognition of recent gasoline price increases, the IRS made this special adjustment for the final months of 2008. The IRS normally updates the mileage rates once a year in the fall for the next calendar year.

"Rising gas prices are having a major impact on individual Americans. Given the increase in prices, the IRS is adjusting the standard mileage rates to better reflect the real cost of operating an automobile," said IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman. "We want the reimbursement rate to be fair to taxpayers."

While gasoline is a significant factor in the mileage figure, other items enter into the calculation of mileage rates, such as depreciation and insurance and other fixed and variable costs.

The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of tracking actual costs. This rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage.

The new six-month rate for computing deductible medical or moving expenses will also increase by eight (8) cents to 27 cents a mile, up from 19 cents for the first six months of 2008. The rate for providing services for charitable organizations is set by statute, not the IRS, and remains at 14 cents a mile.

The new rates are contained in Announcement 2008-63 on the optional standard mileage rates.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.