[Claim for Reimbursement of Real Estate Commission]
Highlights
A Federal Aviation Administration employee requested further consideration of a Claims Group disallowance of his claim for reimbursement of a real estate commission in connection with the purchase of a lot incident to a permanent duty station transfer. The employee contended that the commission should be considered a valid relocation expense, since it was paid in conjunction with his relocation for official business and since regulations do not prohibit reimbursement of such a commission. Federal travel regulations state that brokers' fees and real estate commissions are not reimbursable in connection with the purchase of a home at a new official station. GAO held that the governing travel regulation must be interpreted to include the ground on which the home is situated. Accordingly, the Claims Group denial was sustained.