IRS Announces 2011 Standard Mileage Rates

IR-2010-119, Dec. 3, 2010

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2011 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2011, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 51 cents per mile for business miles driven
• 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Independent contractor Runzheimer International conducted the study.

A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for any vehicle used for hire or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.

Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.

Revenue Procedure 2010-51 contains additional details regarding the standard mileage rates.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=232017,00.html
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MileBug Featured at MacCreate

Just got notice from Joanne Carter at MacCreate that MileBug has been listed as part of their Daily iPhone App Digest - 9 December 2010. She notes in there that MileBug rose to #2 last January in the Finance category..let's do it again!

http://iphone.maccreate.com/2010/12/09/daily-iphone-app-digest-9-december-2010/

Odometer Fix submitted to Apple

Thank you all for making us aware of the odometer bug when upgrading to iOS 4.2.1. We have fixed the problem and submitted an update for Apple's review. This new release was submitted on Tuesday, November 23rd, and we anticipate it being available via the App Store by the end of next week.

WORK-AROUND: In the meantime, you can safely use the Number Pad option for data entry in lieu of the odometer picker. Select the Presets Tab at the bottom, choose Settings, and select Number Pad for the data entry.

Our apologies for the inconvenience.

FYI, this release also includes the option of HTML or CSV reports. And the reports will be email attachments so greater amounts of data can be exported in the report.

MileBug 33% OFF Thanksgiving Sale!

It's always fun to have a sale, so why not Thanksgiving? Let's add MileBug to our list of things to be thankful for, and get it at 33% OFF! So through the end of November, MileBug will only be $1.99.

33% OFF thru November 30th!!

Get it now at http://itunes.com/apps/milebug

99c 2-day MileBug Birthday Sale - MileBug is 2 years old!

MileBug for iPhone is now Two Years Old! Happy Birthday, MileBug! To celebrate, Izatt today announced that the full version of MileBug will be on sale for Two Days Only, August 25-26. MileBug helps those driving their own vehicles for business, or other reasons receive their reimbursement and/or tax deduction, and was featured in What's Hot this January as it rose to #2 in Finance.

American Fork, Utah - The popular iPhone mileage log application, MileBug, turns 2 years old today! To celebrate, the full version of MileBug is available for only 99 cents for today and tomorrow only (August 25-26).

Back in 2008, just 2 weeks after the iPhone SDK was announced, plans were started for the development of MileBug. It eventually went live in the App Store on August 25th, 2008 as one of only 2500 apps then available in the store. As with many of the early apps, MileBug was priced at $7.99. Over 40 copies were sold that first day. Over time the price has fluctuated, a free version became available, and MileBug continues to be a popular Finance app.

Over the past 2 years, MileBug has enjoyed some recognition:
* Featured in the Apple's WorldWide Developers' Conference (WWDC) banners both in 2009 and 2010
* The MileBug logo appeared in the front window display of the Apple stores in San Francisco and Salt Lake City
* In January 2010, MileBug was highlighted in the What's Hot section of 57 App Stores worldwide
* Also in January 2010, MileBug rose to be the #1 Finance app in Ecuador and #2 Finance app in the United States

Popular on the iPhone and iPod touch, MileBug was released for the Android and Nokia/Symbian platforms this summer. Look for reviews of both in the coming weeks.

To make next year's taxes that much easier, and the tax returns that much larger, MileBug helps those driving their own vehicles for business, or other reasons receive their reimbursement and/or tax deduction. From small to big business, from realtors to direct sales consultants, MileBug continues to serve those needing a mileage tax break.

"The 1.5 update is simply great. I have tried almost every mileage app in the app store, and MileBug has been my favourite from the start." - customer review

"This is the most used app on my phone. Easy to use. Love the reports." - customer review

"I have used this now for a year and it has been a lifesaver." - customer review

"As a realtor, I am always going somewhere. This program makes it extremely easy to track my miles for tax purposes." - customer review

"The trip log that I liked best is MileBug from Izatt International." - The Apple Blog

"Milebug saves you time and money; and is a MUST have for any business owner." - iReviewiPhoneApps

In the U.S., the IRS business rate for 2010 is 50 cents/mile. MileBug for the iPhone/iPod touch helps people track their miles and provides emailed reports for easy submission to employers, accountants, and the IRS.

"MileBug is a mileage tracker for your iPhone or iPod touch that makes it super easy to ... track your mileage. This is great if you need to report your mileage to your boss ... the [IRS] ... or for any personal reasons." - AppStoreApps

"In my job, I need a way to track mileage for work trips around town. MileBug does a great job of providing a really simple (and IRS friendly) method of tracking my trip logs. I really like how I can export the reports to email for reimbursement and reporting." - The Apple Blog

Inside the MileBug app is an option to select kilometers instead of miles. From within the Presets, users can define custom rates for business, charity, medical, and other categories. If you get one rate from your employer for reimbursement, and another rate from the IRS for your side business, you simply create two different business rates.

Supported Languages:
* US English, Spanish and Swedish

Device Requirements:
* iPhone and iPod touch
* Requires iPhone OS 4.0 or later
* 0.5 MB

Pricing and Availability:
MileBug 1.54 for iOS is now $0.99 (USD) for a limited time and available worldwide exclusively through the App Store in the Finance category.

Izatt International: http://www.izatt.com
MileBug 1.54: http://www.milebug.com
Download and Purchase: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=288376848&mt=8
Screenshot: http://milebug.com/images/screens/AddTrip.jpg
App Icon: http://izatt.com/images/icons/milebug.png


Izatt International is an iPhone/iPod touch application development company in American Fork, UT. Izatt develops applications internally and accepts outside development projects. Copyright 2008-2010 Izatt International. All Rights Reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPod are registered trademarks of Apple Computer in the U.S. and/or other countries.


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Link To Article: http://prmac.com/release-id-15756.htm
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MileBug 1.5.4 corrects bugs in 1.5.3

A new release of MileBug for iPhone is now available in the App Store! This release, 1.5.4, corrects the issue with setting the time when adding a trip and adds overall greater stability.

This is a free update, as all updates are. Simply open the App Store, choose Updates, and download the free MileBug update.

http://itunes.com/apps/milebug

MileBug 1.5.3 for iPhone Now in App Store!

Dear MileBug Users and Fans!

I'm pleased to announce the arrival of MileBug 1.5.3 to the iPhone. This release brings:
1) iOS4 support

a) fast app switching
b) cleans up the bugs with managing Presets

2) Adds decimal point to the number pad

We've been working hard on an online backup/sync feature, so these support releases have been stretched out. But keep on the lookout as the online sync service is just around the corner!

Get it here: MileBug 1.5.3 in the iTunes App Store
Learn about it here: milebug.com

MileBug now on Android!

We're very pleased to announce that MileBug is now available on Android!

It's been a long process, especially since we tackled Nokia/Symbian at the same time (announcement on that coming soon, too). But we made it!

Simply search the Android Market on your Android phone for "MileBug" and away you go!
(Requires Android OS 1.6 or higher)

Beautifully designed to run on the latest Android phones such as Nexus One, Droid, Incredible, and many others.

Introductory sale has MileBug for Android available now for only $1.99!
(iPhone/iTouch version currently only $2.99).

See screenshots at the new Android section of the MileBug website!

MileBug 1.5.1 is HERE!

Just a friendly announcement that the long-awaited 1.5.1 version of MileBug is here and available in the App Store. Get it here: itunes.com/apps/milebug

Here's what's new in this version:
1) Sort destinations and purposes

✓ Preset Order
✓ A-Z
✓ Z-A

2) Setting for total mileage only (no odometer readings)
3) Setting for Keypad for odometer entry
4) Odometer: enter 2 of 3 fields (Start/End/Total), 3rd field calculated (keypad entry only)
5) Bug Fix: Multi-line notes no longer overrunning display

The LITE version has not yet been released with these features. The FULL version is currently on sale for $1.99 USD.

MileBug website: http://www.milebug.com
Izatt International website: http://www.izatt.com
MileBug in the App Store: http://itunes.com/apps/milebug

Enjoy MileBug! And pass it along!

MacCreate Exclusive Interview with MileBug Developer about new app, MatchTunes

Joanne Carter from MacCreate posted her interview with me about my new app, MatchTunes. It was conducted via email nearly 2 weeks ago, but she just got it posted this morning:

http://iphone.maccreate.com/2010/02/08/exclusive-interview-with-jason-izatt-iphone-app-developer/

First episode of iPhoneDevShow with MileBug Developer now posted

As mentioned in a previous post, I was invited as one of two guests on the inaugural episode of the iPhoneDevShow by TheDailyAppShow last month. The video of that show is now on the site:

iPhoneDevShow: Episode 1 (26 January 2010)
http://thedigitallifestyle.tv/home/2010/2/3/behind-the-apps-google-courting-iphone-devs-for-android.html

Quick HOW-TO for MileBug Beginners

First understand that the general idea is that you open MileBug right when you get in the car to go somewhere. You add a trip, enter the data including the starting odometer reading. Then you close it up and drive to your destination. When you arrive, open MileBug and it will automatically take you to the incomplete trip where you now simply enter the ending odometer reading and hit Save. Voila! Now it's in your Trip List.

For the simplest case, focus only on the Trips tab. Don't worry about the others right now. On the top right, there's a "+" button. Simply tap that to add a new trip. You'll see a new screen slide on with different fields for information about the new trip you're about to take. Simply tap on each one to either choose or enter the data for that field. For fields like Business, Destination, Vehicle, etc. you'll be adding a new one to the system by tapping "Add Preset" at the top of the screen that appears when you select Business or one of the others. Simply add the new one, and it will now appear in your set of Businesses, Vehicles, etc. that you can choose from for this trip and all future trips.

If you want to customize a few things, you can do this in the Presets tab. There you can choose among different settings, as well add/edit/move/delete your set of Businesses, Vehicles, Expense Categories, etc. Keep in mind that each business has it's own set of Destinations and Purposes.

MileBug Developer Invited Guest on new iPhoneDevShow

I have been invited as one of two iPhone developers as guests on the new iPhoneDevShow this Tuesday, Jan. 26th, 7pm MST!

Come tune in! http://bit.ly/78DTZp

Introducing MatchTunes - Izatt's newest app!

Tap into your own iTunes library with MatchTunes! It's a matching game like no other...where you match music clips from the songs right on your iPhone or iPod Touch. Everyone has a different iTunes library...so everyone plays a different game!

Choose 4 different ways to play. Match on:
✓ Music clip - same clip from the same song
✓ Song - different clips from the same song
✓ Album - clips from different songs on the same album
✓ Artist - clips from different songs by the same artist (maybe same album, maybe not!)

Score points for each match. Get bonus points for multiple matches in a row!
Finish the screen before the timer runs out and get the remaining time as bonus points.

Change Settings to mix up the fun:
✓ Choose a specific genre or choose ALL to draw from your entire iTunes library.
✓ Select the play length of the clip behind each tile; 1-60 seconds or the entire song!

2-Player game lets you challenge your friends - who knows your iTunes better than you?
Then your friends turn it around and challenge you on their iTunes.

Submit your best scores via OpenFeint to prove to the world you know your music!

MileBug hits "What's Hot" list in U.S. App store!

What a great surprise to see MileBug in the "What's Hot" section of the U.S. App Store!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WONDERFUL SUPPORT!