B-105021, SEPTEMBER 17, 1951, 31 COMP. GEN. 92

B-105021, SEPTEMBER 17, 1951, 31 COMP. GEN. 92

TAXICAB FARES - TRAVEL WITHIN LIMITS OF OFFICIAL DUTY STATION EMPLOYEES WHO USE TAXICABS WITHIN THEIR OFFICIAL STATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS MAY BE REIMBURSED FARES AND TIPS ON A MONTHLY BASIS, PROVIDED THE TRAVEL IS PROPERLY APPROVED ON THE VOUCHER AS ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT, AS REQUIRED UNDER PARAGRAPH 11 OF THE STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, AND A UNIFORM AND REASONABLE BASIS FOR ALLOWING TIPS IS ESTABLISHED.

ACTING COMPTROLLER GENERAL YATES TO THE ADMINISTRATOR, GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, SEPTEMBER 17, 1951:

REFERENCE IS MADE TO YOUR LETTER OF JULY 26, 1951, REQUESTING DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE METHOD OF REIMBURSEMENT AND THE AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR USE OF TAXICABS WITHIN THE OFFICIAL STATION OF OFFICIALS OF YOUR ADMINISTRATION IN CONNECTION WITH DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

YOU STATE THAT UNDER THE PROCEDURES BEING DRAFTED BY YOUR ADMINISTRATION, REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE ALLOWED UPON A MONTHLY BASIS UPON SUBMISSION OF A VOUCHER LISTING THE DATES, POINTS OF TRAVEL, AND THE ACTUAL AMOUNTS PAID. THE THREE QUESTIONS AND RELATED INFORMATION, ARE STATED BY YOU, AS FOLLOWS, AND WILL BE ANSWERED IN THE ORDER PRESENTED.

1. WILL IT BE PERMISSIBLE TO CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT ON STANDARD FORM NO. 1129, VOUCHER FOR PETTY PURCHASES?

2. VOUCHERS WILL BE APPROVED BY AUTHORIZED OFFICIALS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 11 OF THE STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS. WILL SPECIAL OR ADDITIONAL CERTIFICATES BE REQUIRED BY PAYEE OR APPROVING OFFICIAL?

3. CUSTOM DICTATES THE GIVING OF SMALL AMOUNTS IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR FARES FOR TAXI HIRE AS TIPS. THESE ITEMS ARE REIMBURSED TO TRAVELERS FROM THEIR PER DIEM ALLOWANCE FOR TRAVEL AWAY FROM THEIR OFFICIAL STATION. WOULD IT BE PERMISSIBLE TO ALSO REIMBURSE OFFICIALS FOR TIPS PAID TO TAXI DRIVERS FOR TRANSPORTATION FURNISHED AT THEIR HEADQUARTERS? IF THESE REIMBURSEMENTS ARE PERMISSIBLE, APPROPRIATE ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO ALLOW PAYMENT OF TIPS COMMENSURATE WITH THE FARE PAID.

THERE IS NO PRESENT OBJECTION TO REIMBURSEMENT BEING CLAIMED ON STANDARD FORM NO. 1129 AND YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS ANSWERED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

UNDER PARAGRAPH 11 OF THE STANDARDIZED GOVERNMENT TRAVEL REGULATIONS, IT IS REQUIRED THAT THE APPROVAL FOR USE OF TAXICABS AT OFFICIAL STATION SPECIFICALLY MUST STATE THAT THE USE THEREOF WAS ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT. THUS, THE MERE APPROVAL OF THE VOUCHER WITHOUT THE REQUIRED DETERMINATION OF ADVANTAGE WILL NOT SUFFICE. HOWEVER, NO NECESSITY IS PERCEIVED FOR MORE THAN A SINGLE PROPERLY WORDED ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL ON THE VOUCHER, NOR FOR OTHER THAN THE PAYEE'S USUAL CERTIFICATION AS TO THE CORRECTNESS OF THE VOUCHER AND NONRECEIPT OF PAYMENT OR CREDIT. QUESTION 2 IS ANSWERED ACCORDINGLY.

PROVIDED A UNIFORM AND REASONABLE BASIS IS ESTABLISHED FOR ALLOWING REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIPS THERE WOULD APPEAR TO BE NO OBJECTION THERETO.

THIS OFFICE PRESENTLY IS CONSIDERING PRESCRIBING A STANDARD FORM ON WHICH TO CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT FOR TAXICAB FARES AND WHAT IS HEREINBEFORE IS SUBJECT TO MODIFICATION, IF NECESSARY, AT THE TIME SUCH A FORM, AND PROCEDURES WITH RESPECT THERETO, IS PRESCRIBED.