A little-noticed IRS ruling (Revenue Procedure 97-58) clarifies that taxpayers with leased cars may deduct their business mileage in the same manner as if the car were a purchased vehicle, advises the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA).

According to NAEA -- whose 10,000 members are the only tax professionals licensed by the federal government to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service -- expenses for leased vehicles previously were deductible using only the "actual cost" method -- while purchased vehicles could use either the "actual cost" or "mileage rate" method. As a result of this change, expenses for leased vehicles can be deducted using either method. The Internal Revenue Service currently permits a deduction for business use of a vehicle at the rate of 32-1/2 cents per mile.

"I was amazed when I looked into this for one of my clients who drives hundreds of miles each week, since he's in sales," said Enrolled Agent Frank Degen of Setauket, New York. "This will save him literally hundreds of dollars in 1998 alone!"

Business use does not cover a vehicle's operation to run personal errands -- or for commuting purposes (generally the mileage from one's home to his/her first place of business each day, and back home from the last business stop at the end of the day). However, adds NAEA, all business-related mileage for self-employed persons or employees not reimbursed by their employers between a day's first and last stop now may be counted for the "mileage rate" deduction.

Tax laws are subject to change at any time.

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