Gillibrand, Suozzi, Gillen Urge Trump Administration To Boost Gas Mileage Deductions Amid Sky-High Prices At The Pump

Gillibrand, Suozzi, Gillen Urge Trump Administration To Boost Gas Mileage Deductions Amid Sky-High Prices At The Pump

Jun 18, 2026

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), and U.S. Representative Laura Gillen (D-NY-04) urged the Trump administration to raise the federal standard mileage rates for certain business, medical, and moving uses to provide relief to New Yorkers struggling amidst sky-high gas prices.

This would allow small business owners and workers who rely on vehicles for their livelihoods-like rideshare drivers-to deduct or be reimbursed for an increased amount per mile driven, helping offset the higher costs they are paying for gas. It would also benefit individuals who must regularly commute to get lifesaving medical care and service members who must move because of their work.

"New Yorkers are paying the price for President Trump's reckless war with Iran every time they fill up their car with gas," said Senator Gillibrand. "Raising the standard mileage rate is a commonsense way to provide relief. I encourage the administration to implement this change immediately."

"Prices are too high across the board for Americans, and the war in Iran drove them even higher at the gas pump," said Representative Suozzi. "New Yorkers shouldn't have to break the bank just to get to work or make it to a doctor's appointment, but families are being squeezed every time they fill their tank and getting nothing in return. We must immediately bring down costs during this energy crisis by raising the standard mileage rates for business, medical, and moving uses. It's past time we give drivers a fairer break and ease the burden of rising fuel costs."

Every year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) adjusts the amount Americans can deduct for vehicle miles traveled for business, charitable, and medical purposes, as well as certain job-related moving expenses. Currently, this rate is set at 72.5 cents per mile driven for business use, 20.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. However, these amounts do not account for the drastic increase in fuel prices since the beginning of the war with Iran.

Gas prices rose by 50% nationwide after President Trump launched his war with Iran on February 28. In New York, gas prices increased from an average of about $3.00 per gallon to over $4.60 per gallon at their peak, costing New York consumers a combined $2 billion more for gas since the war began.

In 2022, the Biden administration raised the standard mileage rate by 4.0 cents per mile to help offset the rising gas prices that followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Gillibrand and Suozzi are demanding similar relief for Americans now.

The text of the letter can be found here or below:

Dear Secretary Bessent and Mr. Bisignano:

The war in Iran has created an energy crisis, burdening Americans with exorbitant gas prices. To mitigate rising costs, we strongly urge you to raise the standard mileage rates for business use and medical and moving uses for the remainder of calendar year 2026.

Each year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) adjusts the amount Americans can deduct for vehicle miles traveled for business, medical purposes, and certain job-related moving purposes. The standard mileage rates also set the maximum tax-free benefit that employees can receive from their employers for business use of their personal vehicle. On December 29, 2025, the IRS announced that the standard mileage would be set at "72.5 cents per mile driven for business use… 20.5 cents per mile driven for medical purposes… [and] 20.5 cents per mile driven for moving purposes for certain active-duty members of the Armed Forces" beginning on January 1, 2026. While these amounts may have been adequate at the time, they do not account for a drastic rise in fuel prices in recent months.

After the war in Iran began on February 28, gas prices rose by 50 percent. In New York, gas prices increased from an average of $3.00 per gallon to over $4.50 per gallon, making it harder for New Yorkers to see their doctor and New York businesses to conduct day-to-day operations. New Yorkers were already struggling to make ends meet due to this administration's tariff policy. Now, financial strains are further exacerbated by the war in Iran.

In several previous instances of heightened fuel prices, the IRS increased the standard mileage rate. Most recently, the IRS increased the standard mileage rate in 2022 by four cents for business, medical, and moving expenses for active-duty members of the military. Then-Commissioner Charles Rettig stated, "[we] are aware a number of unusual factors have come into play involving fuel costs, and we are taking this special step to help taxpayers, businesses and others who use this rate."

Similar to 2022, special steps must be taken by the IRS to protect Americans as they face high gas prices. Today, an increase in the standard mileage rate is warranted by increased fuel prices while the United States remains at war with Iran. To provide necessary relief to Americans, it is imperative that you raise the standard mileage rates for the remainder of the calendar year.

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