The Volunteer Driver Coalition applauds Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ted Budd (R-NC) and Tina Smith (D-MN) for introducing legislation in support volunteer drivers.
The Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act of 2023 (S. 3020), introduced in the Senate on October 4, 2023, would raise the amount of mileage reimbursement that volunteers can claim as exempt from federal taxes from 14 cents per mile to 65.5 cents per mile to match the current business rate. The legislation is a companion to a bipartisan bill previously introduced in the House by Representatives Pete Stauber (R-MN-8) and Angie Craig (D-MN-02) to make it easier for volunteer drivers to provide millions of rides and home-delivered meals.
“We are grateful to Senators Klobuchar, Budd and Smith for recognizing the critical role volunteer drivers play,” says Beverly Sidlo-Tolliver, transportation coordinator with the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission and co-chair of the Volunteer Driver Coalition. “This bill is a simple but powerful way to ensure people in our communities have better access to transportation, meals and healthcare.”
In Minnesota alone, volunteers provide an estimated 168,000 rides for older adults and non-drivers each year, covering more than 9.5 million miles. Organizations with volunteer driver programs are challenged to recruit and retain volunteers due to rising insurance rates and tax requirements. Increasing the charitable mileage reimbursement rate will more accurately reflect the actual costs of driving a personal vehicle for charitable purposes and keep more volunteer drivers on the road.
In a statement about the bill, Senator Klobuchar remarked, “This legislation will help reduce the financial burden on volunteer drivers and ensure they can continue to serve their communities.” Senator Budd added, “Increasing the charitable mileage reimbursement rate will make it easier for volunteer drivers to continue giving of themselves and helping more people.”
The Volunteer Driver Coalition will continue to work collaboratively with legislators to ensure the bill’s passage and implementation. The legislation has strong bipartisan support with 12 co-sponsors between the House and Senate to date.