The Volunteer Driver Coalition is proud to announce that Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) and Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02) have introduced the Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act of 2023 (H.R. 3032).
The act increases the federal tax deduction mileage rate for volunteer drivers from its current rate of 14 cents per mile to equal the IRS’ business rate, currently set at 65.5 cents per mile.
“Increasing the tax deduction on volunteer driver miles is a game changer for many volunteer driver programs. As the cost of operating their vehicles continues to rise for volunteers, programs struggle to retain drivers,” according to Jason Swanson, President of the Minnesota Association of Area Agencies on Aging and co-chair of the coalition. “Passing this legislation will go a long way toward ensuring that people who need transportation will be able to get to medical appointments, receive home-delivered meals and prescription drugs, and stay connected in their communities.”
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Congressman Stauber and Congresswoman Craig for putting this legislation forward,” says Dawn Simonson, President and CEO of Trellis and coalition co-chair. “The bi-partisan bill has garnered support from a broad range of national organizations, including the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels America, Mental Health America, National Association of Towns and Townships, National Council of Nonprofits, USAging, and YMCA of the USA as well as from state-based organizations from across the country.”
The Volunteer Driver Coalition comprises 80+ organizations from across Minnesota working to protect the viability of volunteer driver programs. If you operate a volunteer driver program and would like to support this effort, please contact dkittelson@trellisconnects.org to join the Volunteer Driver Coalition.