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Moving
expenses for relocation can be paid for unclassified faculty and staff who
move more than 50 miles to their new location. All expenses must be
paid with private funds. No state funds can be used, and no exceptions
are made. Most of the funds will come from KU Endowment Association
(KUEA) fund 725, but some can be paid from Center for Research, Inc. (KUCR)
funds 720 and 721. Authority to approve KUEA funded moving expenses
continues to reside with the person having the funds, and the responsibility
for those funds, on deposit at the KUEA.
Moving
office or lab equipment that will be used in the employee’s place of work
should be paid separately and not included as part of the employee’s moving
expense. It should be paid by the department in the same manner as
moving employee’s office (expense account 12120).
The first
step in paying moving expenses is for the employee and department to complete
the written agreement.
Moving
expenses may be paid only after the employee agrees in writing (Form
DA-22 ) to remain in University service for 12 months from the
date of transfer or appointment, unless separated for reasons beyond the
employee's control that are acceptable to the University. If the employee
leaves before the 12-month period, the applicant will reimburse the
University of Kansas the full amount paid for moving expenses. In the event
of an employee's early termination, the Department will be responsible for
collecting all amounts reimbursed to the employee and contacting Central
Accounting Services. The Designated Official to sign
Form
DA-22 "Agreement for Reimbursement of Moving Expenses"
will reside with the person having the funds, and the responsibility for
those funds on deposit with KUEA.
Next, it must be determined what expenses are allowed. Then,
decide which are non-taxable and taxable.
The
Moving Expense Analysis Worksheet (Taxable
, Non-taxable)
assists with this process. If the new work location is at least 50
miles further from the former residence than the former residence was to the
former place of work, (See Moving Expense Analysis Worksheet - Table A) then
the following items are considered to be non-taxable and can be reimbursed
through Central Accounting & Purchasing Services (CASPUR):
Anything
not specifically mentioned
in this section is a taxable reimbursement.
·
Cost of moving personal and household items
Preferred Method - The
preferred method for paying a moving company is to have the University
direct-billed rather than reimbursing the employee. These payments are
submitted directly to KUEA rather than CASPUR. This is much better
because it gives the employee much greater flexibility. For example,
three estimates are not required. Employees are not limited to moving
only 12,000 pounds. There are other restrictions that do not apply when
the University is direct-billed. Whenever possible, this method should
be used.
Reimbursing an Employee - If the
moving company cannot direct-bill the University and the employee must be
reimbursed for moving personal and household items, three firm rate bids must
be obtained. The bid includes the cost of transportation, material and
labor for packing and unpacking, delivery, and insurance. The employee
must use the lowest responsible carrier. The employee can only be
reimbursed for moving up to 12,000 pounds. If the carrier normally
charges by cartons or cubic feet, the actual weight must still be obtained.
Costs associated with disassembling yard toys, patio equipment, window air
conditioners, and shelving are taxable reimbursements.
Shipping pets, boats, and vehicles via carrier are taxable
reimbursements. Expenses associated with towing a vehicle are
reimbursed as a taxable reimbursement.
·
Moving a Mobile Home
The employee may be reimbursed
for either of the following:
1.
An allowance of up to $0.30 per mile for moving the home
if transported by the employee.
2.
Commercial transportation of the trailer or dwelling
including tolls, charges, and permit fees.
·
Self-Moves
Self-moves are allowed when
deemed desirable by both the employee and the department provided the costs
appear reasonable. While estimates are not required, the department may
request estimates be provided.
Reimbursable expenses include
the rental costs plus insurance of a moving van or trailer or private car
mileage (one-way) at the current mileage rate. Fuel for the moving van
is reimbursed at the actual amount with receipts or $0.18 per mile without
receipts. Repairs for the moving van are not allowed.
Packing material (boxes, tape,
etc.) is reimbursable.
Paying others (friends and
family) to help move is not a reimbursable expense. This includes
buying meals as “payment” for those helping.
·
Storage (30 days or less)
Employees may be reimbursed
storage of household goods (does not include automobiles) for a period of 30
days or less as tax exempt before being delivered to the new residence.
·
Airfare
Only the employee can be
reimbursed for airfare as non taxable. Reimbursement of airfare for
other family members is a taxable reimbursement.
·
Lodging
Lodging is reimbursed at the
state travel rates for employees. The reimbursement is for single
occupancy only, even though an employee may be accompanied by his/her
family. If incurred, lodging expenses the day before the employee
leaves the old location and lodging expenses the day the employee arrives at
the new location can be reimbursed.
Anything
not specifically mentioned
above is a taxable reimbursement.
It will be reimbursed by Payroll and submitted through Central Accounting and
Purchasing Services. The reimbursement will appear on the employee’s
W-2 Form. When submitting
taxable moving expenses to CASPUR, include the completed Form.
Below are
some common examples of taxable moving expenses: Additional
Fringe Benefit Income For W-2 Reporting
·
Meals
Meals while en route to the new
residence can be reimbursed. Alcoholic beverages are not
reimbursed. Employees can choose to use per diem travel meal allowance
rates. If per diem is used, the day and time the employee leaves the
old residence and arrives at the new residence along with the number of
quarters being reimbursed will need to be submitted with the moving expense
paperwork.
·
Lodging
Up to 30 days of lodging can be
reimbursed as taxable while the employee is occupying temporary lodging and
waiting to occupy the new residence. Lodging is reimbursed at the state
travel rates for employees. Lodging is reimbursed for single occupancy
only, even though the employee may be accompanied by his/her family.
·
Storage (Over 30 days)
Storage of household goods over
30 days before they are delivered to the new residence is a taxable
reimbursement.
·
Transportation for Employee and Family Exceeding Tax
Exempt Rate
Mileage for the employee and
family members between the old and new residence is taxable when it exceeds
$0.18 per mile. Up to $0.47 per mile can be reimbursed for FY 2008.
·
Multiple trips
Reimbursement for multiple trips
related the move are taxable.
·
House Hunting
All expenses associated with house hunting are
taxable. Lodging, meals, and mileage reimbursement rates follow moving
expense rates.
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