[Decision Concerning Customs Service Employee's Entitlement to Reimbursement for Real Estate Expenses]

The Customs Service requested a decision regarding a transferred employee's claim for reimbursement for real estate expenses her parents incurred in purchasing a residence on her behalf. Customs advised that the claimant's nondependent parents: (1) bought and took title to the residence after the claimant could not obtain mortgage financing; and (2) conveyed the property title to her about 7 months later. GAO held that Customs properly disallowed the claim for reimbursement of the claimant's parents' closing costs, since: (1) the claimant had not held title to the house prior to the title conveyance; and (2) her parents did not qualify as dependents or members of her immediate family who would receive such reimbursement. Accordingly, the claim was denied.