[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 26, Volume 2]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 26CFR1.62-2]

[Page 97-104]
 
                       TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE
 
    CHAPTER I--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 
                               (CONTINUED)
 
PART 1_INCOME TAXES--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 1.62-2  Reimbursements and other expense allowance arrangements.

    (a) Table of contents. The contents of this section are as follows:

(a) Table of contents.
(b) Scope.
(c) Reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement.
(1) Defined.
(2) Accountable plans.
(i) In general.
(ii) Special rule for failure to return excess.
(3) Nonaccountable plans.
(i) In general.
(ii) Special rule for failure to return excess.
(4) Treatment of payments under accountable plans.
(5) Treatment of payments under nonaccountable plans.
(d) Business connection.
(1) In general.
(2) Other bona fide expenses.
(3) Reimbursement requirement.
(i) In general.
(ii) Per diem allowances.
(e) Substantiation.
(1) In general.
(2) Expenses governed by section 274(d).
(3) Expenses not governed by section 274(d).
(f) Returning amounts in excess of expenses.
(1) In general.
(2) Per diem or mileage allowances.
(g) Reasonable period.
(1) In general.
(2) Safe harbors.
(i) Fixed date method.
(ii) Periodic payment method.
(3) Pattern of overreimbursements.
(h) Withholding and payment of employment taxes.
(1) When excluded from wages.
(2) When included in wages.
(i) Accountable plans.
(A) General rule.
(B) Per diem or mileage allowances.
(1) In general.
(2) Reimbursements.
(3) Advances.
(4) Special rules.
(ii) Nonaccountable plans.
(i) Application.
(j) Examples.
(k) Anti-abuse provision.
(l) Cross references.
(m) Effective dates.

    (b) Scope. For purposes of determining ``adjusted gross income,'' 
section 62(a)(2)(A) allows an employee a deduction for expenses allowed 
by part VI (section 161 and following), subchapter B, chapter 1 of the 
Code, paid by the employee, in connection with the performance of 
services as an employee of the employer, under a reimbursement or other 
expense allowance arrangement with a payor (the employer, its agent, or 
a third party). Section 62(c) provides that an arrangement will not be 
treated as a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement for 
purposes of section 62(a)(2)(A) if--
    (1) Such arrangement does not require the employee to substantiate 
the expenses covered by the arrangement to the payor, or
    (2) Such arrangement provides the employee the right to retain any 
amount in excess of the substantiated expenses covered under the 
arrangement.

This section prescribes rules relating to the requirements of section 
62(c).
    (c) Reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement--(1) 
Defined. For purposes of Sec. Sec. 1.62-1, 1.62-1T, and 1.62-2,

[[Page 98]]

the phrase ``reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement'' 
means an arrangement that meets the requirements of paragraphs (d) 
(business connection, (e) (substantiation), and (f) (returning amounts 
in excess of expenses) of this section. A payor may have more than one 
arrangement with respect to a particular employee, depending on the 
facts and circumstances. See paragraph (d)(2) of this section (payor 
treated as having two arrangements under certain circumstances).
    (2) Accountable plans--(i) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraph (c)(2)(ii) of this section, if an arrangement meets the 
requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section, all 
amounts paid under the arrangement are treated as paid under an 
``accountable plan.''
    (ii) Special rule for failure to return excess. If an arrangement 
meets the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section, 
but the employee fails to return, within a reasonable period of time, 
any amount in excess of the amount of the expenses substantiated in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, only the amounts paid 
under the arrangement that are not in excess of the substantiated 
expenses are treated as paid under an accountable plan.
    (3) Nonaccountable plans--(i) In general. If an arrangement does not 
satisfy one or more of the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), or (f) 
of this section, all amounts paid under the arrangement are treated as 
paid under a ``nonaccountable plan.'' If a payor provides a 
nonaccountable plan, an employee who receives payments under the plan 
cannot compel the payor to treat the payments as paid under an 
accountable plan by voluntarily substantiating the expenses and 
returning any excess to the payor.
    (ii) Special rule for failure to return excess. If an arrangement 
meets the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section, 
but the employee fails to return, within a reasonable period of time, 
any amount in excess of the amount of the expenses substantiated in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, the amounts paid under 
the arrangement that are in excess of the substantiated expenses are 
treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan.
    (4) Treatment of payments under accountable plans. Amounts treated 
as paid under an accountable plan are excluded from the employee's gross 
income, are not reported as wages or other compensation on the 
employee's Form W-2, and are exempt from the withholding and payment of 
employment taxes (Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Federal 
Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA), Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA), 
Railroad Unemployment Repayment Tax (RURT), and income tax.) See 
paragraph (l) of this section for cross references.
    (5) Treatment of payments under nonaccountable plans. Amounts 
treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan are included in the 
employee's gross income, must be reported as wages or other compensation 
on the employee's Form W-2, and are subject to withholding and payment 
of employment taxes (FICA, FUTA, RRTA, RURT, and income tax). See 
paragraph (h) of this section. Expenses attributable to amounts included 
in the employee's gross income may be deducted, provided the employee 
can substantiate the full amount of his or her expenses (i.e., the 
amount of the expenses, if any, the reimbursement for which is treated 
as paid under an accountable plan as well as those for which the 
employee is claiming the deduction) in accordance with Sec. Sec. 1.274-
5T and 1.274(d)-1 or Sec. 1.162-17, but only as a miscellaneous 
itemized deduction subject to the limitations applicable to such 
expenses (e.g., the 80-percent limitation on meal and entertainment 
expenses provided in section 274(n) and the 2-percent floor provided in 
section 67).
    (d) Business connection--(1) In general. Except as provided in 
paragraphs (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this section, an arrangement meets the 
requirements of this paragraph (d) if it provides advances, allowances 
(including per diem allowances, allowances only for meals and incidental 
expenses, and mileage allowances), or reimbursements only for business 
expenses that are allowable as deductions by part VI (section 161 and 
the following), subchapter B, chapter 1

[[Page 99]]

of the Code, and that are paid or incurred by the employee in connection 
with the performance of services as an employee of the employer. The 
payment may be actually received from the employer, its agent, or a 
third party for whom the employee performs a service as an employee of 
the employer, and may include amounts charged directly or indirectly to 
the payor through credit card systems or otherwise. In addition, if both 
wages and the reimbursement or other expense allowance are combined in a 
single payment, the reimbursement or other expense allowance must be 
identified either by making a separate payment or by specifically 
identifying the amount of the reimbursement or other expense allowance.
    (2) Other bona fide expenses. If an arrangement provides advances, 
allowances, or reimbursements for business expenses described in 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section (i.e., deductible employee business 
expenses) and for other bona fide expenses related to the employer's 
business (e.g., travel that is not away from home) that are not 
deductible under part VI (section 161 and the following), subchapter B, 
chapter 1 of the Code, the payor is treated as maintaining two 
arrangements. The portion of the arrangement that provides payments for 
the deductible employee business expenses is treated as one arrangement 
that satisfies this paragraph (d). The portion of the arrangement that 
provides payments for the nondeductible employee expenses is treated as 
a second arrangement that does not satisfy this paragraph (d) and all 
amounts paid under this second arrangement will be treated as paid under 
a nonaccountable plan. See paragraphs (c)(5) and (h) of this section.
    (3) Reimbursement requirement--(i) In general. If a payor arranges 
to pay an amount to an employee regardless of whether the employee 
incurs (or is reasonably expected to incur) business expenses of a type 
described in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section, the arrangement 
does not satisfy this paragraph (d) and all amounts paid under the 
arrangement are treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan. See 
paragraphs (c)(5) and (h) of this section.
    (ii) Per diem allowances. An arrangement providing a per diem 
allowance for travel expenses of a type described in paragraph (d)(1) or 
(d)(2) of this section that is computed on a basis similar to that used 
in computing the employee's wages or other compensation (e.g., the 
number of hours worked, miles traveled, or pieces produced) meets the 
requirements of this paragraph (d) only if, on December 12, 1989, the 
per diem allowance was identified by the payor either by making a 
separate payment or by specifically identifying the amount of the per 
diem allowance, or a per diem allowance computed on that basis was 
commonly used in the industry in which the employee is employed. See 
section 274(d) and Sec. 1.274(d)-1. A per diem allowance described in 
this paragraph (d)(3)(ii) may be adjusted in a manner that reasonably 
reflects actual increases in employee business expenses occurring after 
December 12, 1989.
    (e) Substantiation--(1) In general. An arrangement meets the 
requirements of this paragraph (e) if it requires each business expense 
to be substantiated to the payor in accordance with paragraph (e)(2) or 
(e)(3) of this section, whichever is applicable, within a reasonable 
period of time. See Sec. 1.274-5T or Sec. 1.162-17.
    (2) Expenses governed by section 274(d). An arrangement that 
reimburses travel, entertainment, use of a passenger automobile or other 
listed property, or other business expenses governed by section 274(d) 
meets the requirements of this paragraph (e)(2) if information 
sufficient to satisfy the substantiation requirements of section 274(d) 
and the regulations thereunder is submitted to the payor. See Sec. 
1.274-5. Under section 274(d), information sufficient to substantiate 
the requisite elements of each expenditure or use must be submitted to 
the payor. For example, with respect to travel away from home, Sec. 
1.274-5(b)(2) requires that information sufficient to substantiate the 
amount, time, place, and business purpose of the expense must be 
submitted to the payor. Similarly, with respect to use of a passenger 
automobile or other listed property, Sec. 1.274-5(b)(6) requires that 
information sufficient to substantiate the amount, time, use, and 
business

[[Page 100]]

purpose of the expense must be submitted to the payor. See Sec. 1.274-
5(g) and (j), which grant the Commissioner the authority to establish 
optional methods of substantiating certain expenses. Substantiation of 
the amount of a business expense in accordance with rules prescribed 
pursuant to the authority granted by Sec. 1.274-5(g) or (j) will be 
treated as substantiation of the amount of such expense for purposes of 
this section.
    (3) Expenses not governed by section 274(d). An arrangement that 
reimburses business expenses not governed by section 274(d) meets the 
requirements of this paragraph (e)(3) if information is submitted to the 
payor sufficient to enable the payor to identify the specific nature of 
each expense and to conclude that the expense is attributable to the 
payor's business activities. Therefore, each of the elements of an 
expenditure or use must be substantiated to the payor. It is not 
sufficient if an employee merely aggregates expenses into broad 
categories (such as ``travel'') or reports individual expenses through 
the use of vague, nondescriptive terms (such as ``miscellaneous business 
expenses''). See Sec. 1.162-17(b).
    (f) Returning amounts in excess of expenses--(1) In general. Except 
as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, an arrangement meets 
the requirements of this paragraph (f) if it requires the employee to 
return to the payor within a reasonable period of time may amount paid 
under the arrangement in excess of the expenses substantiated in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. The determination of 
whether an arrangement requires an employee to return amounts in excess 
of substantiated expenses will depend on the facts and circumstances. An 
arrangement whereby money is advanced to an employee to defray expenses 
will be treated as satisfying the requirements of this paragraph (f) 
only if the amount of money advanced is reasonably calculated not to 
exceed the amount of anticipated expenditures, the advance of money is 
made on a day within a reasonable period of the day that the anticipated 
expenditures are paid or incurred, and any amounts in excess of the 
expenses substantiated in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section 
are required to be returned to the payor within a reasonable period of 
time after the advance is received.
    (2) Per diem or mileage allowances. The Commissioner may, in his 
discretion, prescribe rules in pronouncements of general applicability 
under which a reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangement that 
provides per diem allowances providing for ordinary and necessary 
expenses of traveling away from home (exclusive of transportation costs 
to and from destination) or mileage allowances providing for ordinary 
and necessary expenses of local travel and tranportation while traveling 
away from home will be treated as satisfying the requirements of this 
paragraph (f), even though the arrangement does not require the employee 
to return the portion of such an allowance that relates to the days or 
miles of travel substantiated and that exceeds the amount of the 
employee's expenses deemed substantiated pursuant to rules prescribed 
under section 274(d), provided the allowance is paid at a rate for each 
day or mile of travel that is reasonably calculated not to exceed the 
amount of the employee's expenses or anticipated expenses and the 
employee is required to return to the payor within a reasonable period 
of time any portion of such allowance which relates to days or miles of 
travel not substantiated in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section.
    (g) Reasonable period--(1) In general. The determination of a 
reasonable period of time will depend on the facts and circumstances.
    (2) Safe harbors--(i) Fixed date method. An advance made within 30 
days of when an expense is paid or incurred, an expense substantiated to 
the payor within 60 days after it is paid or incurred, or an amount 
returned to the payor within 120 days after an expense is paid or 
incurred will be treated as having occurred within a reasonable period 
of time.
    (ii) Periodic statement method. If a payor provides employees with 
periodic statements (no less frequently than quarterly) stating the 
amount, if any, paid under the arrangement in excess

[[Page 101]]

of the expenses the employee has substantiated in accordance with 
paragraph (e) of this section, and requesting the employee to 
substantiate any additional business expenses that have not yet been 
substantiated (whether or not such expenses relate to the expenses with 
respect to which the original advance was paid) and/or to return any 
amounts remaining unsubstantiated within 120 days of the statement, an 
expense substantiated or an amount returned within that period will be 
treated as being substantiated or returned within a reasonable period of 
time.
    (3) Pattern of overreimbursements. If, under a reimbursement or 
other expense allowance arrangement, a payor has a plan or practice to 
provide amounts to employees in excess of expenses substantiated in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this section and to avoid reporting and 
withholding on such amounts, the payor may not use either of the safe 
harbors provided in paragraph (g)(2) of this section for any years 
during which such plan or practice exists.
    (h) Withholding and payment of employment taxes--(1) When excluded 
from wages. If an arrangement meets the requirements of paragraphs (d), 
(e), and (f) of this section, the amounts paid under the arrangement 
that are not in excess of the expenses substantiated in accordance with 
paragraph (e) of this section (i.e., the amounts treated as paid under 
an accountable plan) are not wages and are not subject to withholding 
and payment of employment taxes. If an arrangement provides advances, 
allowances, or reimbursements for meal and entertainment expenses and a 
portion of the payment is treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan 
under paragraph (d)(2) of this section due solely to section 274(n), 
then notwithstanding paragraph (h)(2)(ii) of this section, these 
nondeductible amounts are neither treated as gross income nor subject to 
withholding and payment of employment taxes.
    (2) When included in wages--(i) Accountable plans--(A) General rule. 
Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2)(i)(B) of this section, if the 
expenses covered under an arrangement that meets the requirements of 
paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section are not substantiated to 
the payor in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section within a 
reasonable period of time or if any amounts in excess of the 
substantiated expenses are not returned to the payor in accordance with 
paragraph (f) of this section within a reasonable period of time, the 
amount which is treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan under 
paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section is subject to withholding and 
payment of employment taxes no later than the first payroll period 
following the end of the reasonable period. A payor may treat any amount 
not substantiated or returned within the periods specified in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this section as not substantiated or returned within a 
reasonable period of time.
    (B) Per diem or mileage allowances--(1) In general. If a payor pays 
a per diem or mileage allowance under an arrangement that meets the 
requirements of the paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section, the 
portion, if any, of the allowance paid that relates to days or miles of 
travel substantiated in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section 
and that exceeds the amount of the employee's expenses deemed 
substantiated for such travel pursuant to rules prescribed under section 
274(d) and Sec. 1.274(d)-1 or Sec. 1.274-5T(j) is treated as paid 
under a nonaccountable plan. See paragraph (c)(3)(ii) of this section. 
Because the employee is not required to return this excess portion, the 
reasonable period of time provisions of paragraph (g) of this section 
(relating to the return of excess amounts) do not apply to this excess 
portion.
    (2) Reimbursements. Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2)(i)(B)(4) 
of this section, in the case of a per diem or mileage allowance paid as 
a reimbursement at a rate for each day or mile of travel that exceeds 
the amounts of the employee's expenses deemed substantiated for a day or 
mile of travel, the excess portion described in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of 
this section is subject to withholding and payment of employment taxes 
in the payroll period in which the payor reimburses the expenses for the 
days or miles of travel substantiated in accordance with paragraph (e) 
of this section.

[[Page 102]]

    (3) Advances. Except as provided in paragraph (h)(2)(i)(B)(4) of 
this section, in the case of a per diem or mileage allowance paid as an 
advance at a rate for each day or mile of travel that exceeds the amount 
of the employee's expenses deemed substantiated for a day or mile of 
travel, the excess portion described in paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this 
section is subject to withholding and payment of employment taxes no 
later than the first payroll period following the payroll period in 
which the expenses with respect to which the advance was paid (i.e., the 
days or miles of travel) are substantiated in accordance with paragraph 
(e) of this section. The expenses with respect to which the advance was 
paid must be substantiated within a reasonable period of time. See 
paragraph (g) of this section.
    (4) Special rules. The Commissioner may, in his discretion, 
prescribe special rules in pronouncements of general applicability 
regarding the timing of withholding and payment of employment taxes on 
per diem and mileage allowances.
    (ii) Nonaccountable plans. If an arrangement does not satisfy one or 
more of the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), or (f) of this section, 
all amounts paid under the arrangement are wages and are subject to 
withholding and payment of employment taxes when paid.
    (i) Application. The requirements of paragraphs (d) (business 
connection), (e) (substantiation), and (f) (returning amounts in excess 
of expenses) of this section will be applied on an employee-by-employee 
basis. Thus, for example, the failure by one employee to substantiate 
expenses under an arrangement in accordance with paragraph (e) of this 
section will not cause amounts paid to other employees to be treated as 
paid under a nonaccountable plan.
    (j) Examples. The rules contained in this section may be illustrated 
by the following examples:

    Example (1). Reimbursement requirement. Employer S pays its 
engineers $200 a day. On those days that an engineer travels away from 
home on business for Employer S, Employer S designates $50 of the $200 
as paid to reimburse the engineer's travel expenses. Because Employer S 
would pay an engineer $200 a day regardless of whether the engineer was 
traveling away from home, the arrangement does not satisfy the 
reimbursement requirement of paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this section. Thus, 
no part of the $50 Employer S designated as a reimbursement is treated 
as paid under an accountable plan. Rather, all payments under the 
arrangement are treated as paid under a nonaccountable plan. Employer S 
must report the entire $200 as wages or other compensation on the 
employees' Forms W-2 and must withhold and pay employment taxes on the 
entire $200 when paid.
    Example (2). Reimbursement requirement, multiple arrangements. 
Airline T pays all its employees a salary. Airline T also pays an 
allowance under an arrangement that otherwise meets the requirements of 
paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section to its pilots and flight 
attendants who travel away from their home base airports, whether or not 
they are ``away from home.'' Because the allowance is paid only to those 
employees who incur (or are reasonably expected to incur) expenses of a 
type described in paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section, the 
arrangement satisfies the reimbursement requirement of paragraph 
(d)(3)(i) of this section. Under paragraph (d)(2) of this section, 
Airline T is treated as maintaining two arrangements. The portion of the 
arrangement providing the allowances for away from home travel is 
treated as an accountable plan. The portion of the arrangement providing 
the allowances for non-away from home travel is treated as a 
nonaccountable plan. Airline T must report the non-away from home 
allowances as wages or other compensation on the employees' Forms W-2 
and must withhold and pay employment taxes on these payments when paid.
    Example (3). Reimbursement requirement. Corporation R pays all its 
salespersons a salary. Corporation R also pays a travel allowance under 
an arrangement that otherwise meets the requirements of paragraphs (d), 
(e), and (f) of this section. This allowance is paid to all 
salespersons, including salespersons that Corporation R knows, or has 
reason to know, do not travel away from their offices on Corporation R 
business and would not be reasonably expected to incur travel expenses. 
Because the allowance is not paid only to those employees who incur (or 
are reasonably expected to incur) expenses of a type described in 
paragraph (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this section, the arrangement does not 
satisfy the reimbursement requirement of paragraph (d)(3)(i) of this 
section. Thus, no part of the allowance Corporation R designated as a 
reimbursement is treated as paid under an accountable plan. Rather, all 
payments under the arrangement are treated as paid under a 
nonaccountable plan. Corporation R must report all payments under the 
arrangement as wages or other compensation on the employees' Forms W-2 
and must withhold and pay employment taxes on the payments when paid.

[[Page 103]]

    Example (4). Separate arrangement, miscellaneous expenses. Under an 
arrangement that meets the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) 
of this section, County U reimburses its employees for lodging and meal 
expenses incurred when they travel away from home on County U business. 
For its own convenience, County U also separately pays certain of its 
employees a $25 monthly allowance to cover the cost of small 
miscellaneous office expenses. County U does not require its employees 
to substantiate these miscellaneous expenses and does not require them 
to return the amounts by which the monthly allowance exceeds the 
miscellaneous expenses. The monthly allowance arrangement is a 
nonaccountable plan. County U must report the monthly allowances as 
wages or other compensation on the employees' Forms W-2 and must 
withhold and pay employment taxes on the monthly allowances when paid. 
The nonaccountable plan providing the monthly allowances is treated as 
separate from the accountable plan providing reimbursements for lodging 
and meal expenses incurred for travel away from home on County U 
business.
    Example (5). Excessive advances. In anticipation of employee 
business expenses that Corporation V does not reasonably expect to 
exceed $400 in any quarter, Corporation V nonetheless advances $1,000 to 
Employee A for such expenses. Whenever Employee A substantiates an 
expense in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section, Corporation V 
provides an additional advance in an amount equal to the amount 
substantiated, thereby providing a continuing advance of $1,000. Because 
the amounts advanced under this arrangement are not reasonably 
calculated so as not to exceed the amount of anticipated expenditures 
and because the advance of money is not made on a day within a 
reasonable period of the day that the anticipated expenditures are paid 
or incurred, the arrangement is a nonaccountable plan. The arrangement 
fails to satisfy the requirements of paragraphs (d) (business 
connection) and (f) (reasonable calculation of advances) of this 
section. Thus, Corporation V must report the entire amount of each 
advance as wages or other compensation and must withhold and pay 
employment taxes on the entire amount of each advance when paid.
    Example (6). Excess mileage advance. Under an arrangement that meets 
the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this section, 
Employer W pays its employees a mileage allowance at a rate of 30 cents 
per mile (when the amount deemed substantiated for each mile of travel 
substantiated is 26 cents per mile) to cover automobile business 
expenses. The allowance is paid at a rate for each mile of travel that 
is reasonably calculated not to exceed the amount of the employee's 
expenses or anticipated expenses. Employer W does not require the return 
of the portion of the mileage allowance (4 cents) that exceeds the 
amount deemed substantiated for each mile of travel substantiated in 
accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. In June, Employer W 
advances Employee B $150 for 500 miles to be traveled by Employee B 
during the month. In July, Employee B substantiates 500 miles of 
business travel. The amount deemed substantiated by Employee B is $130. 
However, Employer W does not require Employee B to return the remaining 
$20 of the advance. No later than the first payroll period following the 
payroll period in which the business miles of travel are substantiated, 
Employer W must withhold and pay employment taxes on $20 (500 miles x 4 
cents per mile).
    Example (7). Excess per diem reimbursement. Under an arrangement 
that meets the requirements of paragraphs (d), (e), and (f) of this 
section, Employer X pays its employees a per diem allowance to cover 
lodging, meal, and incidental expenses incurred for travel away from 
home on Employer X business at a rate equal to 120 percent of the amount 
deemed substantiated for each day of travel to the localities to which 
the employees travel. Employer X does not require the employees to 
return the 20 percent by which the reimbursement for those expenses 
exceeds the amount deemed substantiated for each day of travel 
substantiated in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. Employee 
C substantiates six days of business travel away from home: Two days in 
a locality for which the amount deemed substantiated is $100 a day and 
four days in a locality for which the amount deemed substantiated is 
$125 a day. Employer X reimburses Employee C $840 for the six days of 
travel away from home (2x(120%x$100)+4x(120%x$125)), and does not 
require Employee C to return the excess portion ($140 excess portion = 
(2 daysx$20 ($120-$100)+4 daysx$25 ($150-$125)). For the payroll period 
in which Employer X reimburses the expenses, Employer X must withhold 
and pay employment taxes on $140.
    Example (8). Return Requirement. Employer Y provides expense 
allowances to certain of its employees to cover business expenses of a 
type described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section under an arrangement 
that requires the employees to substantiate their expenses within a 
reasonable period of time and to return any excess amounts within a 
reasonable period of time. Each time an employee returns an excess 
amount to Employer Y, however, Employer Y pays the employee a ``bonus'' 
equal to the amount returned by the employee. The arrangement fails to 
satisfy the requirements of paragraph (f) (returning amounts in excess 
of expenses) of this section. Thus, Employer Y must report the entire 
amount of the expense allowance payments as wages or other compensation 
and must withhold and pay employment taxes on the payments when paid. 
Compare

[[Page 104]]

example (6) (where the employee is not required to return the portion of 
the mileage allowance that exceeds the amount deemed substantiated for 
each mile of travel substantiated).
    Example (9). Timely substantiation. Employer Z provides a $500 
advance to Employee D for a trip away from home on Employer Z business. 
Employee D incurs $500 in business expenses on the trip. Employer Z uses 
the periodic statement method safe harbor. At the end of the quarter 
during which the trip occurred, Employer Z sends a quarterly statement 
to Employee D stating that $500 was advanced to Employee D during the 
quarter and that no expenses were substantiated and no excess amounts 
returned. The statement advises Employee D that Employee D must 
substantiate any additional business expenses within 120 days of the 
date of the statement, and must return any unsubstantiated excess within 
the 120-day period. Employee D fails to substantiate any expenses or to 
return the excess within the 120-day period. Employer Z treats the $500 
as wages and withholds and pays employment taxes on the $500. After the 
120-day period has expired, Employee D substantiates the $500 in travel 
expenses in accordance with paragraph (e) of this section. Employer Z 
properly reported and withheld and paid employment taxes on the $500 and 
no adjustments may be made. Employee D must include the $500 in gross 
income and may deduct the $500 of expenses as a miscellaneous itemized 
deduction subject to the 2-percent floor provided in section 67.

    (k) Anti-abuse provision. If a payor's reimbursement or other 
expense allowance arrangement evidences a pattern of abuse of the rules 
of section 62(c) and this section, all payments made under the 
arrangement will be treated as made under a nonaccountable plan.
    (l) Cross references. For employment tax regulations relating to 
reimbursement and expense allowance arrangements, see Sec. Sec. 31.3121 
(a)-3, 31.3231(e)-(3), 31.3306(b)-2, and 31.3401(a)-4, which generally 
apply to payments made under reimbursement or other expense allowance 
arrangements received by an employee on or after July 1, 1990 with 
respect to expenses paid or incurred on or after July 1, 1990. For 
reporting requirements, see Sec. 1.6041-3(i), which generally applies 
to payments made under reimbursement or other expense allowance 
arrangements received by an employee on or after January 1, 1989 with 
respect to expenses paid or incurred on or after January 1, 1989.
    (m) Effective dates. This section generally applies to payments made 
under reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangements received by 
an employee in taxable years of the employee beginning on or after 
January 1, 1989, with respect to expenses paid or incurred in taxable 
years beginning on or after January 1, 1989. Paragraph (h) of this 
section generally applies to payments made under reimbursement or other 
expense allowance arrangements received by an employee on or after July 
1, 1990 with respect to expenses paid or incurred on or after July 1, 
1990. Paragraphs (d)(3)(ii) and (h)(2)(i)(B) of this section apply to 
payments made under reimbursement or other expense allowance 
arrangements received by an employee on or after January 1, 1991 with 
respect to expenses paid or incurred on or after January 1, 1991. 
Paragraph (e)(2) of this section applies to payments made under 
reimbursement or other expense allowance arrangements received by an 
employee with respect to expenses paid or incurred after December 31, 
1997.

[T.D. 8324, 55 FR 51691, Dec. 17, 1990; 56 FR 8911, Mar. 4, 1991, as 
amended by T.D. 8451, 57 FR 57668, Dec. 7, 1992; T.D. 8666, 61 FR 27005, 
May 30, 1996; T.D. 8784, 63 FR 52600, Oct. 1, 1998; T.D. 8864, 65 FR 
4122, Jan. 26, 2000; T.D. 9064, 68 FR 39011, July 1, 2003]