If your work requires you to drive, your employer's reimbursement for mileage is a big deal.

The Internal Revenue Service raised the standard mileage reimbursement rate from 37.5 cents in 2004 to 40.5 cents a mile this year.

But spiraling gas costs have dwarfed that increase.

The national average price per gallon is now more than $2.60, 35 percent above the $1.93 per gallon that the IRS consultant, Runzheimer International, used to calculate the increase. Further, if you work for a private employer rather than the federal or state government, you may be getting less. Many companies use the IRS standard as a rough guide for reimbursement but are not required to match the rate.

Do you feel pinched? Lobby your human resources department for a bigger mileage allowance, cut back on travel, or keep tabs on spending and deduct uncovered expenses on your tax return.