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10.40 Meals |
10.40.10October 1, 2002 |
What is the basis for reimbursing meal costs? |
10.40.10.a |
Reimbursement for meal expenses is on an allowance basis not to exceed the amounts in effect at the time of travel, unless:
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). |
10.40.10.b |
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.) |
10.40.10.c |
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:
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10.40.20
July 1, 2014 |
Exceptions to the meal allowances |
10.40.20.a |
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. |
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10.40.20.b |
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. |
10.40.20.c |
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). |
10.40.20.d |
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. |
10.40.20.e |
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. |
10.40.30October 1, 2002 |
What types of costs are included in meal allowances? |
Meal allowances cover the following costs:
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10.40.40October 1, 2002 |
Certain meal costs cannot be reimbursed |
10.40.40.a |
Reimbursement for meal expenses incurred at the traveler’s official station or official residence is prohibited, except:
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10.40.40.b |
Reimbursement for meal expenses is not to be authorized when a traveler does not incur expenses for meals because they are furnished. |
10.40.40.c |
Where identifiable costs of meals are included in the lodging rate or registration fee of a meeting, conference, convention, or formal training session, the meal costs, not to exceed the designated meal allowances found in Subsections 10.90.10 and 10.90.20 (PDF file), are to be deducted from the traveler’s allowable travel reimbursement amount. If the included meal costs are not specifically identified, agencies are not to pay the traveler the meal allowances. |
10.40.40.d |
See Subsection 70.15.20 for situations where meals with meetings cannot be reimbursed. |
10.40.50
July 1, 2019 |
When may a traveler be reimbursed for meal costs? |
10.40.50.a |
For overnight travel assignments, travelers must be in travel status during the entire agency-determined meal period(s) in order to qualify for the meal allowance. |
10.40.50.b |
For non-overnight travel assignments, the following two criteria must be met to receive a meal allowance:
Exceptions:
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10.40.55October 1, 2005 |
Meal reimbursement rate |
10.40.55.a |
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. |
10.40.55.b |
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. |
10.40.60October 1, 2004 |
Taxation of meal payments |
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. |