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[Question Concerning Reimbursement for Househunting Trip Expenses]

B-219023 Mar 12, 1986
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Highlights

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requested a decision regarding an employee's entitlement to reimbursement for the expenses of a househunting trip pursuant to his transfer. When he was transferred, the employee had accepted a position with the Army, which authorized a househunting trip. During the trip, the employee applied for, and was subsequently offered, employment with IRS. IRS paid all of the expenses of the employee's relocation except for the househunting trip, which occurred before it offered him a job. GAO held that the employee was indebted to the Army for the cost of the trip. GAO also held that IRS could properly pay for the trip because: (1) the employee performed the trip under valid orders from the Army; and (2) incurred the expenses at a time when IRS clearly intended to offer him a job at his new duty station. Accordingly, the employee must reimburse the Army for the costs of his househunting trip, and IRS may reimburse the employee for the same costs, if otherwise allowable.

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