Reimbursement for meal expenses is on an allowance basis not to exceed the amounts in effect at the time of travel, unless:

• An exception is specifically provided by statute, or
• As authorized by Subsection 10.40.20.

The meal allowances for the Continental USA are stated in Subsections 10.90.10 and 10.90.20 (PDF file). The meal allowances for areas outside the continental USA are stated in Subsection 10.90.20 (PDF file).

When an employee elects to use a travel trailer or camper in lieu of commercial lodging, reimbursement for meals is to be at the rates stated in Subsection 10.90.20 (PDF file) under the heading "Non-High Cost Locations". When an employee is requested by the agency to use their travel trailer or camper in lieu of commercial lodging, meals are reimbursed as part of the hourly per diem payment. (Refer to Subsection 10.30.70.b.)

When it becomes necessary to determine the amount to reimburse for individual meals (from the daily meals rate), use the following calculations rounded to the nearest dollar:

• The breakfast portion is 25% of the set daily meals entitlement.
• The lunch portion is 30% of the set daily meals entitlement.
• The dinner portion is 45% of the set daily meals entitlement.

Generally, travelers are to be reimbursed for meal expenses at the set per meal entitlement rates stated in Subsections 10.90.10 and 10.90.20 (PDF file). However, the agency head or authorized designee may require the agency's travelers to provide receipts for meal reimbursement. When receipts for meals are required, reimbursement will be based on an actual cost basis as evidenced by a receipt up to the applicable maximum per meal entitlement amount stated in Subsections 10.90.10 and 10.90.20 (PDF file).

Agencies must formally adopt written policies and procedures under the provisions of Subsection 10.10.20, if they opt to reimburse actual meal costs.

Whenever an agency statute permits meals to be reimbursed at actual cost and the actual cost exceeds schedule allowances, receipts are to be attached to the Travel Expense Voucher (form A20-A) or their file location referenced.

The agency head or authorized designee may approve reimbursement for the actual cost of a meal when the agency requires the employee to attend a meeting that is being held or sponsored by a non-state organization. The actual cost of the meal, as evidenced by a receipt, is eligible for reimbursement as long as the meal is an integral part of the meeting. (Refer to Meals With Meetings Subsection 70.15.10).

Meal payments are not required to be reduced or eliminated due to meals served on airlines. Similarly, meal payments are not required to be reduced for continental breakfasts which may be included in the lodging rate or registration fee of a meeting, conference, convention, or formal training session. Agencies should review IRS tax regulations regarding the taxation of these payments.

For non-mandatory attendance at seminars or professional meetings, reimbursement for meal expenses may be at less than the rates stated in Subsections 10.90.10 and 10.90.20 (PDF file), provided that in all instances reimbursement at a lower rate is agreed to in writing by the traveler in advance of the travel.

Meal allowances cover the following costs:

• The basic cost of a meal,
• Any incidental expenses,
• Any applicable sales tax, and
• Any customary tip or gratuity.

For overnight travel assignments, the agency-determined meal periods are used to determine when a traveler is entitled to a meal.

For non-overnight travel assignments, the following two criteria must be met to receive a meal allowance:

1. Eleven Hour Rule - A traveler may be reimbursed for meal expenses when the traveler has been in travel status for at least eleven hours.

Exceptions:

• Volunteers an agency has legal authority to utilize, traveling to perform official state business (not performing these duties as part of their state employment), may be reimbursed for meal expenses when the traveler has been in travel status for at least five hours.
• Board and Commission members authorized to receive meal reimbursement, traveling to perform official business of the board and commission (not performing these duties as part of their state employment), may be reimbursed for meal expenses when the traveler has been in travel status for at least five hours.


2. In travel status during the entire meal period - travelers must be in travel status during the entire agency-determined meal period(s) in order to qualify for the meal allowance. The traveler may not stop for a meal just to meet the eleven-hour rule.

The two requirements above are not applicable to:

• Meals with meetings payments (refer to Subsection 70.15.10).
• Board and commission members reimbursed a daily or hourly rate for travel (refer to option 1 of Subsection 10.70.20 and 10.70.30.b).

For overnight travel assignments, IRS publication 463 requires all meals to be reimbursed at the rate in effect for the area where the traveler stops for sleep. The meal reimbursement rate for the last day of travel (return day) would continue to be the rate for the location where the traveler last stopped for sleep. Refer to Section 10.90 for meal reimbursement rates.

For non-overnight travel assignments, agencies may adopt internal policies to determine the rate of reimbursement, not to exceed the applicable rates in Section 10.90.

For non-overnight travel assignments and for payments above the federal rates, agencies may wish to consult IRS publication 463 regarding the taxation of these meal payments.