Claim for Real Estate Expenses

An authorized certifying officer from the General Services Administration (GSA) asked whether an item on a travel voucher could be certified for payment. The item in question was for a fee which an employee paid with the purchase of a new home incident to his transfer to a new duty station. One lender refused to release pertinent documentation to a second lender chosen by the employee unless the employee paid for incurred costs. The employee paid the fee and later requested that the Government repay him. GAO held that this charge was in essence a finance fee and thus not payable under Federal regulations. Accordingly, that item of the voucher may not be paid.