$3.19

[bob jenkins]

My general rule of thumb is that the game fee (we don't get mileage fee, but if we did, I'd include it here) in $ should be equal to or greater than the round trip distance in miles.

So, if I get $57 for a varsity game, I'd travel (in general) 28.5 miles each way.

There are exceptions, of course, but I have turned down conferences where the mileage is always in excess of that.

[zm1283]

I've driven 240 miles total in the last two days going to games and have made $96 in mileage fees. That will buy almost three tanks of gas, which I haven't used in those two trips, so I'll make a little money on top of paying for my gas.

It seems like we're pretty lucky here.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by zm1283

I've driven 240 miles total in the last two days going to games and have made $96 in mileage fees. That will buy almost three tanks of gas, which I haven't used in those two trips, so I'll make a little money on top of paying for my gas.

It seems like we're pretty lucky here.

You should understand that mileage reimbursement is not fuel reimbursement. The difference is that mileage covers depreciation and maintenance in addition to fuel. In most cases, the depreciation and maintenance amount to rather more than the cost of fuel.

For instance, average depreciation is $162 per 1000 miles. For your 240 miles, that would come to about $39, which would leave just $57 from your mileage fees. Depending on your vehicle, that's getting close to the cost of a tank of gas, and that doesn't factor in maintenance.

The other thing you might bear in mind is that the IRS mileage rate is 50¢/mile, and it seems you're getting 40¢/mile. The difference should be tax deductible ($24 for your current trip).

Sorry to be "Debbie Downer," but you're not likely making money off a mileage check.

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by mbyron

You should understand that mileage reimbursement is not fuel reimbursement. The difference is that mileage covers depreciation and maintenance in addition to fuel. In most cases, the depreciation and maintenance amount to rather more than the cost of fuel.

For instance, average depreciation is $162 per 1000 miles. For your 240 miles, that would come to about $39, which would leave just $57 from your mileage fees. Depending on your vehicle, that's getting close to the cost of a tank of gas, and that doesn't factor in maintenance.

The other thing you might bear in mind is that the IRS mileage rate is 50¢/mile, and it seems you're getting 40¢/mile. The difference should be tax deductible ($24 for your current trip).

Sorry to be "Debbie Downer," but you're not likely making money off a mileage check.

You're right about the first part. I'm more worried about the wear and tear/depreciation on my car from miles driven than about paying for gas.

I deduct for mileage on taxes.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

My general rule of thumb is that the game fee (we don't get mileage fee, but if we did, I'd include it here) in $ should be equal to or greater than the round trip distance in miles.

So, if I get $57 for a varsity game, I'd travel (in general) 28.5 miles each way.

There are exceptions, of course, but I have turned down conferences where the mileage is always in excess of that.

If I had this rule, I'd probably have about 10 schools I could actually work.

EDITED to add: I found a radius drawing tool and it's actually more like 30 schools. Those schools, though, are concentrated in only a few conferences and these conferences have schools well outside this radius (for example, one conference has a few schools within 20 miles and one that takes me 1:45 to drive to). I have asked a few commissioners to limit the schools they send me to -- one conference has an east and west division and I've asked to only work in the East. They have one of the most generous mileage allotments, though, and it's ironic that I can pick up $30 in mileage driving 10 minutes less than to another school in the big conference around here and we get no mileage there.

One suggestion I'd make to anyone who drives a lot -- get a credit card that gives significant cash back on gas purchases -- I have a BP card. I get 5% back on all BP gas purchases (right now that gets me over $2.50 back per tank) and they also are running a Loyalty Card promotion (you take your receipt inside and they give you a scratch off card you enter on the Internet) that gives back another $2 per fill-up. So for every $50 I put in right now, I'm getting back about 9%.

[Andy]

Another thing to consider is that mileage that you drive that you are not reimbursed or paid for is either partially or fully tax deductible. See your acountant for details.

[JRutledge]

Of course I consider it. I probably travel as much as anyone for a high school game. And I do depend on the money considering I have gone back to school and do not have the same income I did for years. But in many cases when I go to games it is not my personal expense as I share rides with others. Then again I am able to take other travel options than a car, so it saves me a lot of money.

Peace

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Andy

Another thing to consider is that mileage that you drive that you are not reimbursed or paid for is either partially or fully tax deductible. See your acountant for details.

Actually, whether you get reimbursed for it or not, it would be tax deductible. The reimbursement is part of your income.

[Welpe]

I'm not paying it too much mind right now. I do this for fun though the extra coin is nice at times. This is one of the few "hobbies" where I actually get a check in return.

I make a good living in a job I don't particularly enjoy, and officiating is an escape for me. So even if I did lose money, I think I'd keep doing it.

Besides, I drive a little commuter car that gets almost 30 mpg and most of the games I work are somewhere between work and home. We also get paid mileage, currently at $0.50 a mile so we do OK.

[BktBallRef]

We alway travel as a crew to out of town games, so I'm only driving on one out of three trips. Gas prices suck but it was much worse two years ago when it went to $5.

We receive a flat fee for all games which is includes travel and is determined by the state association. You get the same fee whether driving 1 mile or 60 miles. We're fortunate that we don't drive more tahn an hour to any school.

We also work varsity doubleheaders ($85). So while we may not get as much as we would if we worked two games on two nights, we also only work one night for two games and we don't have double travel for two games.