With their whip-like tails, human sperm propel themselves through viscous fluids, seemingly in defiance of Newton’s third law of motion, according to a recent study that characterizes the motion of these sex cells and single-celled algae.
MILWAUKEE — A near-century-old tradition continues this holiday season as the annual We Energies 2024 Cookie Book is out! It’s available now for digital download, but so many families across the state have long preferred the hard copy.
Distribution events for those books begin November 2nd, at both Fox Cities Stadium in the Fox Valley, and American Family Field in Milwaukee. Both events run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The tradition of customer-submitted recipes for Holiday cookies dates back to 1928, with the idea of promoting electric appliances for Baking. The theme for this year’s book is “Childhood Memories.”
Click here for digital download and distribution events: https://www.we-energies.com/recipes/
LAST YEAR: WTMJ’s Vince Vitrano participates in We Energies’ ‘Great Cookie Book Taste Off’
Karen Wils photo
In 2024, many businesses will continue to rely on employees using their personal vehicles for work-related travel. Whether it’s attending client meetings, making deliveries, or traveling between offices, these miles add up. To offset these costs, employers offer mileage reimbursement to their employees. For businesses, it’s essential to stay informed about the current mileage reimbursement rates to ensure compliance with IRS guidelines, accurately compensate employees, and take advantage of tax benefits.This article will explore the current mileage reimbursement rates, how they are determined, and how they affect your business operations in 2024.
What Are Mileage Reimbursement Rates?
Mileage reimbursement rates are the amounts per mile that businesses reimburse employees when they use their personal vehicles for work purposes. These rates are set by the IRS, reflecting the costs associated with driving a vehicle, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation. The IRS reviews these rates annually and makes adjustments to reflect changes in the cost of living, fuel prices, and vehicle operating costs.
For 2024, the IRS has set the current mileage reimbursement rate at 65.5 cents per mile. This rate applies to business-related travel, and it’s critical for employers to use this rate to avoid tax complications.
Why Do Mileage Reimbursement Rates Matter for Businesses?
Mileage reimbursement rates are important for businesses because they directly affect how employers compensate their employees for work-related travel and how those expenses are recorded for tax purposes. Here are a few key reasons why understanding the current mileage reimbursement rates is crucial:
1. Ensuring Fair Compensation for Employees
By reimbursing employees at the IRS-approved rate, businesses ensure that their staff are fairly compensated for the expenses they incur while using their own vehicles for work. These expenses can be significant, especially for employees who drive frequently for business purposes. The 65.5 cents per mile rate accounts for fuel, wear and tear, insurance, and more.
If a business reimburses employees below the IRS rate, employees may end up shouldering part of the cost themselves, which could lead to dissatisfaction or even potential turnover. On the other hand, over-reimbursing could result in excess payments that may be subject to taxes.
2. Tax Deduction Opportunities
Mileage reimbursements that are paid at or below the IRS rate are generally not taxable for the employee, and businesses can deduct these expenses as business costs. This makes mileage reimbursement not only beneficial for employees but also advantageous for companies that want to lower their taxable income.
However, it’s crucial that businesses accurately track the miles employees drive for work and ensure the reimbursement aligns with the current mileage reimbursement rates. Failing to do so could result in inaccuracies in tax filings, leading to penalties or audits.
3. Staying Compliant with IRS Regulations
Compliance is another major reason why businesses need to pay attention to the current mileage reimbursement rates. The IRS has specific rules in place that dictate how businesses should handle mileage reimbursement. For example, reimbursements that exceed the IRS rate can be considered taxable income for employees, which could create additional tax obligations.
By reimbursing employees at the 2024 rate of 65.5 cents per mile, businesses can avoid these complications and ensure that they are following IRS guidelines. Keeping accurate records of mileage, using the approved rates, and maintaining clear reimbursement policies are essential for staying compliant and minimizing tax risks.
How Are Current Mileage Reimbursement Rates Determined?
The IRS sets the mileage reimbursement rate by taking into account various factors that affect the cost of operating a vehicle. These factors include:
Fuel Prices: Fluctuations in gas prices play a significant role in determining the rate. As fuel costs rise or fall, the IRS adjusts the rate accordingly.
Vehicle Maintenance Costs: Wear and tear on a vehicle, along with routine maintenance like oil changes and tire replacements, are also factored into the mileage rate.
Insurance and Registration Costs: The costs of maintaining insurance and renewing vehicle registration are considered as part of the overall cost of owning and operating a vehicle.
Depreciation: As vehicles age and accumulate mileage, their value depreciates. The IRS includes this depreciation in its calculations for mileage reimbursement.
Each year, the IRS assesses these factors and adjusts the rate to ensure it accurately reflects the true costs incurred by employees driving for work.
How Current Mileage Reimbursement Rates Impact Business Finances in 2024
Mileage reimbursement rates directly impact a company’s operating expenses, especially if it has many employees who drive frequently for work. Here’s how the current mileage reimbursement rates can affect your business’s finances:
1. Budgeting for Employee Travel Expenses
If your business relies on employees to travel regularly, it’s important to account for the cost of mileage reimbursement in your budget. By understanding the current mileage reimbursement rate of 65.5 cents per mile, you can estimate how much you’ll need to reimburse employees for their travel.
For example, if an employee drives 1,000 miles for work in a month, your business would need to reimburse them $655 for that travel. Multiply that by the number of employees and the number of miles driven, and you can see how mileage reimbursement can become a significant line item in your business’s budget.
Accurately budgeting for these expenses will help your business plan for the year ahead and ensure that you’re not caught off guard by unexpected costs.
2. Managing Cash Flow
When it comes to managing cash flow, understanding your business’s reimbursement obligations is essential. Mileage reimbursement is an ongoing expense for companies with mobile employees, and paying attention to the current rates ensures you have enough cash on hand to meet these obligations.
For businesses that have tight margins or operate on a lean budget, it’s important to monitor the miles employees are driving and ensure that reimbursements are being handled efficiently.
3. Reducing Taxable Income
Mileage reimbursements are deductible business expenses, meaning that businesses can reduce their taxable income by the amount they reimburse employees for business-related travel. As long as your business reimburses employees at or below the IRS-approved rate, you can deduct these costs and lower your tax liability.
For example, if your business reimburses $10,000 in mileage expenses over the course of the year, you can deduct this amount from your total income, lowering the amount of taxes you owe.
Tips for Maximizing the Benefits of Mileage Reimbursement
To get the most out of mileage reimbursement programs and ensure that your business remains compliant and efficient, here are a few tips:
1. Implement a Mileage Tracking System
One of the most effective ways to manage mileage reimbursement is by implementing a mileage tracking system. Automated tracking tools like Everlance can help employees accurately record their miles, reducing errors and ensuring timely reimbursements. These systems also generate reports that can be easily submitted to the IRS for tax deductions.
2. Establish Clear Reimbursement Policies
It’s important for businesses to have clear and consistent mileage reimbursement policies in place. Employees should understand which types of travel qualify for reimbursement, how to track their miles, and how to submit their reimbursement requests. Having a formal policy will reduce confusion and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
3. Stay Informed About Rate Changes
The IRS updates mileage reimbursement rates each year, so it’s important for businesses to stay informed about any changes. By adjusting your reimbursement practices to reflect the most current rates, you can ensure compliance and fair compensation for your employees. The rate for 2024 is 65.5 cents per mile, but this could change in subsequent years based on economic conditions.
4. Monitor Business Mileage Regularly
To avoid unexpected reimbursement costs, regularly monitor the amount of business mileage employees are logging. This can help you identify any potential areas where you can reduce travel or optimize routes to minimize costs.
Conclusion
Understanding the current mileage reimbursement rates is essential for businesses that rely on employees to drive for work. In 2024, the IRS has set the rate at 65.5 cents per mile, reflecting the costs of operating a vehicle for business purposes. This rate impacts everything from employee compensation to tax deductions and legal compliance.
By reimbursing employees at the correct rate, businesses can ensure fair compensation, maintain IRS compliance, and take advantage of tax benefits. To streamline the process, consider implementing a mileage tracking system and establishing clear reimbursement policies that align with the latest IRS guidelines.
By staying informed and proactive, businesses can minimize costs and ensure that both employers and employees benefit from effective mileage reimbursement programs in 2024 and beyond.
Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreBilly Crystal has admitted he regrets turning down the role of Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story films.The actor, 76, best known for his role in the 1989 romcom When Harry Met Sally, told The Graham Norton Show: “I was the dope that turned it down, but it wasn’t about the character, it was a business thing, and my agent said not to do it, so I passed.“Then it comes out and it is genius.”The star, who went on to voice Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc, another successful Pixar and Disney animation, continued: “Two years later when the producers of Toy Story first mentioned Monsters, Inc, I said, ‘Whatever it is, say yes.’“They convinced me by showing me a screen test they had done of me as Buzz Lightyear in the scene from When Harry Met Sally where I am yelling about a wagon wheel coffee table. They even had a little Buzz under the table. It was astonishing, and if I had seen that I would definitely have done Toy Story.”In the end, Buzz Lightyear was voiced by actor and comedian Tim Allen, instead.Crystal is currently promoting his new Apple TV+ series Before, in which he plays Eli, a child psychiatrist who, after losing his wife, Lynn (Judith Light), encounters a troubled young boy, Noah (Jacobi Jupe), who seems to have a haunting connection to Eli’s past. As Eli attempts to help Noah, their mysterious bond deepens. Buzz Lightyear was voiced by Tim AllenThe series has received mixed reviews, with The Guardian awarding it four stars but IndieWire deeming it “bizarrely bad”.Crystal was joined on The Graham Norton Show, which will air tonight, by Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville, Match Point actor Emily Mortimer, and US singer Pharrell Williams, who discusses an animated story of his life called Piece By Piece, which depicts him as a lego character. Crystal in ‘Before’
The award-winning VFX studio Lux Aeterna has built a reputation in effects for specialist factual television by transforming scientific concepts and data into breathtaking, cinematic scenes. The result makes science more accessible and entertaining – and has cemented its place as a leader in cinematic science-based visual effects.Worked on prominent productions like 8 Days to the Moon and Back, Our Universe, Secrets of the Neanderthals and the new BBC Studios documentary Solar System showcases the studio passion for pursuing scientific accuracy while producing engaging, narrative-driven content. We delved deeper to find our more about how they work, which includes close collaboration with scientists and experts in various fields.VFX from Our Universe (Image credit: Lux Aeterna)Lux Aeterna’s work in science and natural history requires a blended focus on maintaining factual integrity while producing narrative-led content that viewers want to engage with. And sometimes that means having to reach out to experts in various fields for input into how best to visualise certain shots and sequences.When tasked with depicting the planet Theia crashing into a primordial Earth for Our Universe, the Lux Aeterna team got in touch with Dr Keggeris at Durham University, whose area of expertise is planetary collision. Using existing data from the Cosma supercomputer, the team were able to generate an entire sequence for the series. Out of this collaboration, Lux Aeterna produced a simulation of the collision generating two moons, one of which was ultimately reabsorbed into our planet, adding two extra shots and a bit of extra narrative to the scene.Image
Mansour Al-Ajmi is the CEO and advisor of X-Shift Saudi Arabia, combining the best of people, technology and innovation to drive the future.
Over the past decade, technology has completely redefined how businesses operate, connect with customers and create value.
Throughout my journey from building two companies in the business process outsourcing (BPO) and customer experience (CX) sectors to currently leading a digital transformation firm, I’ve learned one undeniable truth: To thrive in today’s ever-changing market, you must embrace change.
A recent McKinsey study found that 70% of digital transformation efforts fall short of their objectives. This statistic points to a crucial insight that simply investing in technology isn’t enough. For any transformation to be successful, companies must rethink their entire approach to business—redefining how they operate, serve customers and grow.
This realization became especially clear during my time in the BPO sector, where the focus was on operational efficiency and customer service. The rise of digital tools made it clear that a much bigger shift was needed.
The “Why” And “How” Of Business Transition
Every business eventually reaches a point where the status quo is no longer enough. For many, technology becomes the catalyst for change. The focus moves from just selling products to building ecosystems around customer experience, real-time engagement and innovation.
For me, understanding the “why” behind this transformation was simple: staying relevant, competitive and customer-focused in a digital world. The “how,” however, required a clear roadmap—emphasizing change management, talent development and aligning technology with business goals.
BPOs have traditionally been at the forefront of operational efficiency and customer service, often serving as cost-saving solutions. But as technology advanced, the rules of the game changed. Digital transformation set new benchmarks for speed, scalability and customer engagement, demanding fresh approaches to internal processes and go-to-market strategies.
The key was leveraging the operational strengths and customer-centric principles ingrained in BPO and reimagining them within a digital framework. This meant going beyond efficiency models to integrate automation, data-driven insights and agile, customer-focused experiences. Our expertise in customer-centricity didn’t just carry over—it evolved to meet the demands of a digital-first world.
Rethinking Business Models For Digital Transformation
A common misconception is that digital transformation simply means adopting new technology. The reality is that its true impact comes from redefining business models to be more adaptive, customer-centric and resilient. This evolution often requires bold steps, such as:
1. Rethinking Revenue Streams: Traditional one-off sales models are being replaced by recurring revenue, subscription-based and service-driven offerings. Creating continuous value through personalized, long-term customer engagement is critical to building loyalty and sustainable growth.
2. Empowering Agility And Flexibility: The fast pace of change requires businesses to be nimble. Adopting agile methodologies enables companies to pivot quickly, iterate on new ideas and respond effectively to emerging market opportunities.
3. Fostering Strategic Partnerships: No company can innovate in isolation. Building partnerships with tech leaders, digital innovators and customer-focused platforms accelerates transformation and ensures you stay ahead of evolving customer demands. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the momentum around Vision 2030 is setting the stage for digital transformation like never before. The Kingdom is rapidly adopting technology, building a robust digital infrastructure and fostering a business environment that prioritizes growth and innovation.
4. Putting The Customer At The Core: Digital transformation should revolve around the customer. As businesses evolve, the focus should be on crafting seamless, personalized and integrated experiences. Understanding customer journeys, addressing pain points and deploying technology to enhance touchpoints are key to unlocking satisfaction and loyalty.
Seizing Opportunities And Leading Change
Transitioning into digital transformation comes with its challenges. To succeed, leaders need vision beyond current frameworks, agility to navigate change and resilience to adapt to shifting landscapes. Building a culture open to experimentation and continuous learning is equally important.
For tech businesses willing to evolve, the possibilities are limitless—from enhancing operational efficiency and revenue growth to building stronger customer relationships and exploring new markets.
Digital transformation is a unique journey for every business, but a few principles remain constant.
Agility and resilience are essential to navigating changing markets. Agility allows for rapid pivots, swift adoption of new methodologies and fast iteration of emerging ideas. Resilience ensures that businesses can foresee challenges, learn from setbacks and grow stronger as a result.
Most importantly, keeping the customer at the center of every decision is key to shaping a successful way forward. And when companies get that right, the possibilities are truly limitless.
Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Dressed in black, his face covered, the killer of a schoolgirl prowled around a car park in pursuit of his victim, intent on murder. Disturbing new CCTV footage seen for the first time today shows Logan MacPhail’s secret, silent pursuit of Holly Newton. Now that the obsessive stalker has been sentenced, police have released chilling…
Egypt has long been a jewel of global tourism. The allure of the Pyramids, the majesty of the Nile, and the beauty of the Red Sea make it a bucket-list destination for millions around the world.
Yet, while Egypt’s history and natural wonders are timeless, its tourism sector faces a very modern problem – TikTok. The platform, along with Reddit and other social media forums, is brimming with negative reviews from travel influencers and tourists who are increasingly viewing Egypt as a destination to avoid.
On TikTok, viral videos from travel influencers – many of them women – complain about harassment, scams, and disorganization. Influencers are increasingly answering the question, “Where would you not go back to?” with one word: Egypt.
These videos have reached hundreds of thousands of people, rapidly shaping perceptions of Egypt as a nightmare for tourists.
Egypt has long been a jewel of global tourism. The allure of the Pyramids, the majesty of the Nile, and the beauty of the Red Sea make it a bucket-list destination for millions around the world.
Yet, while Egypt’s history and natural wonders are timeless, its tourism sector faces a very modern problem – TikTok. The platform, along with Reddit and other social media forums, is brimming with negative reviews from travel influencers and tourists who are increasingly viewing Egypt as a destination to avoid.
On TikTok, viral videos from travel influencers – many of them women – complain about harassment, scams, and disorganization. Influencers are increasingly answering the question, “Where would you not go back to?” with one word: Egypt.
These videos have reached hundreds of thousands of people, rapidly shaping perceptions of Egypt as a nightmare for tourists.