Request for Relocation Expenses

An authorized certifying officer of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) requested an advance decision regarding the payment of a voucher submitted by an employee of the Forest Service. Incident to a transfer, the employee claimed reimbursement for certain expenses he incurred in assuming the outstanding mortgage on a home at his old duty station which he took as partial payment from the buyers of his former home, who were unable to obtain sufficient financing. The claim was denied by the Forest Service and USDA on the basis of Federal Travel Regulations (FTR) which authorize reimbursement for the expenses required to be paid by an employee in connection with the sale of one residence at his old official station and for the purchase of one residence at his new official station. The employee contended that he was entitled to reimbursement because the expenses he claimed were incurred as part of the sale of one residence. However, FTR authorize reimbursement of expenses relating to one piece of real estate at both the old and new duty station, not two. Additionally, FTR authorize reimbursement for only certain expenses connected with the sale or purchase of a residence. GAO does not believe that FTR authorize the reimbursement of unusual expenses incurred by an employee due to difficulties involved in his particular real estate transaction. Therefore, GAO held that no expenses related to a second piece of real estate at either duty station may be reimbursed.