Entitlement to Mileage and Parking Fees

A certifying officer requested a decision as to whether an employee may be reimbursed for mileage and parking fees he incurred while on temporary duty. The employee obtained lodgings with relatives at no cost to the Government and commuted to the temporary duty site using a borrowed vehicle. He agreed to pay for gasoline and maintenance of the vehicle and claimed reimbursement for its use. In addition to mileage and parking fees for commuting daily to the temporary duty site, the employee claimed mileage for traveling to and from the airport incident to his arrival at and departure from the temporary duty station. The agency determined that mileage to and from the airport was allowable, but denied the mileage and parking fees claimed for daily commuting. The disallowance was based on a GAO decision in which it was held that a mileage allowance is payable only for travel performed in a vehicle owned by the employee. That decision is no longer applicable, because a subsequent statute currently authorizes mileage for travel by privately owned vehicle without regard to its ownership. GAO held that, since the employee incurred the costs associated with its use, he is entitled to reimbursement of mileage and parking fees for operating the borrowed, privately owned vehicle used at his temporary duty station. Accordingly, the employee's claim may be allowed.