Propriety of the Use of Appropriated Funds To Purchase Business Cards

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requested an opinion as to the propriety of purchasing business cards with appropriated funds. One of the agency's employees with extensive contact with public, Government, and business officials was asked to leave his business card with his name, office address, and telephone number. The employee purchased the cards at his own expense and sought reimbursement for the cost. The long standing rule has been that the cost of official calling cards constitutes a personal rather than an official expense of the employee or officer for whose use they are procured and that such costs are not chargeable under appropriated money in the absence of specific statutory authority. Therefore, NHTSA may not use its appropriations to procure, or reimburse employees for their personal purchases of business cards.