[Decision Concerning IRS Employee's Claim for Household Goods Moving Expenses]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requested a decision on whether it should reimburse a transferred employee for expenses he incurred when shipping his household goods. GAO noted that: (1) the employee submitted a larger expense claim than his receipts; (2) the employee failed to provide receipts for his labor cost claims; and (3) the employee claimed the entire amount that he would have received under the authorized actual expense method, although he did not transport his goods by that method. GAO held that the employee was entitled to reimbursement for: (1) the costs that he actually incurred in moving his household goods, since he chose to transport his goods by other than the authorized method; and (2) his labor costs, upon submission of the proper receipts. Accordingly, IRS may reimburse the employee for his actual expenses only.