Masonry Magazine March 2005 Page. 58
News
Index to Advertisers
Industry News continued from page 55
Brick SouthEast members are uniquely positioned to better serve this dynamic market by joining forces in the world.
Brick SouthEast is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., with a second office in Atlanta. Peter Cieslak will serve as Executive Director of the new organization. Brick SouthEast is comprised of 17 brick manufacturing company members including Boral Bricks, Inc.; Carolina Ceramics Brick Company: Cherokee Brick & Tile Company; Columbus Brick Company; Cunningham Brick Company; General Shale Brick; Hanson Brick; Henry Brick Company; Jenkins Brick Company; Lee Brick Company; New London Brick Works, Old Carolina Brick Company; Palmetto Brick Company; Pine Hall Brick Company, Inc.; Statesville Brick Company; Taylor Clay Products Company; and Triangle Brick Company.
Brick SouthEast is affiliated with the national Brick Industry Association. For more information, visit www.gobricksoutheast.com.
IRS Sets 2005 Standard Mileage Rates
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released the optional standard mileage rates to use for 2005 in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving expense purposes.
As of Jan. 1, 2005, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) are:
* 40.5 cents a mile for all business miles driven, up from 37.5 cents a mile in 2004;
* 15 cents a mile when computing deductible medical or moving expenses, up from 14 cents a mile in 2004; and
* 14 cents a mile when giving services to a charitable organization.
The three-cent increase in the business mileage rate was the largest one-year rise ever. The primary reasons were higher prices for vehicles and fuel during the year ending in September. The charitable standard mileage rate is set by law.
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), after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle, for any vehicle used for hire, or for more than four vehicles used simultaneously. Revenue Procedure 2004-64 contains additional information on these standard mileage rates.
For more information, visit www.irs.gov.
Women in Construction Week
Mark your calendars for Women in Construction Week being held March 6-12, 2005. This year is especially significant as the National Association of Women in Construction is celebrating 50 years of enhancing the success of women in the construction industry.