i've done my research on the irs rate and it's not reasonable for our field of work. what about the fact that the irs rate is an average across cars and trucks? i saw a study (dec 07) by the folks that the irs references and that report indicated that 50 cents/mile would get you a stick, two door, ford ranger...that's not hardly enough room for two people to sit in much less carry all your equipment. i don't expect the company to pay for me to drive a land cruiser or anything extravagant, but i do expect to be reasonably compensated.
as a geotech, if i go to a site, a truck is required. the actual cost for trucks runs higher than cars. either way, i was just curious if anyone else out there has crunched the numbers during these high priced gas times. i did figure it up and i'm losing my butt driving my personal truck. and once i decide to park my truck, my overall profitability will go way down. for example, i parked my truck at the street while doing a recon at a site a few weeks ago and it took me well over an hour and a half longer than it should have...that's time that could've been billed to something...but at least the company didn't have to pay me that extra 15 cents a mile (40 miles rt) that i requested six months ago. hell, if you don't want to pay the higher rate, throw in a free car wash, oil change, etc to at least ease my heartburn. the whole idea of not paying doesn't make sense to me personally and i don't think it makes good business sense. heck, go for better efficiency and profitability while providing a moral boost in the pocket of the employee. adjust rates to compensate if needed.
--i'm a little disgruntled about the issue in case it's not obvious by my tone. at least i have the comfort of knowing that at least two other firms that have contacted me recently will provide a company truck for my use without a reduction in pay should i decide to make the jump. that would equate to several thousand dollar a year in my pocket.
oh well, thanks for the responses.