[Decision Concerning IRS Employees' Claims for Reimbursement for Lodging Expenses]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requested a decision regarding two transferred employees' claims for reimbursement for lodging expenses they incurred incident to: (1) official temporary travel away from their new permanent duty stations; and (2) retaining their temporary quarters at their new permanent duty stations while away on the temporary official business. GAO held that the claimants were entitled to reimbursement, if IRS determined that they acted reasonably in retaining the temporary quarters at their new permanent duty stations. Accordingly, the claims were allowed.