House Hunting Expense Form Instructions

Purpose

The House Hunting Expense Form is used to request reimbursement by a new employee for house hunting expenses. The employee submits the form upon completion of the house hunting trip. Reimbursement will be made in the tax year of the employment start date.

Process

1. Select the radio button next to House Hunting Expense Form.
2. Complete the following:

   Expense	Instructions
   Employee’s Name	enter the employee’s name.
   Employee ID	enter the University-assigned identification number, which begins with the letter M.
   Employment Start Date	enter the employee’s start date of employment.
   Department	enter the name of the employee’s department.
   Direct Deposit or Mail Check	select the appropriate box indicating the form of reimbursement. Note: All employees are encouraged to sign up for direct deposit on Banweb so payment can be made electronically. If the check should be mailed, make sure to enter the address.
   Departing From	enter the city and state where travel began.
   Departure Date	enter the date that travel began from the employee’s home.
   Arrival Date	enter the date that travel was completed.
   Calendar Year	select the appropriate calendar year. The calendar year selection determines the mileage rate for personal car expenses claimed.
   Index	enter the six-digit University number to be charged for house hunting expenses. Contact the department for this information.
   Name(s) of Others on the Trip	include the names of all immediate family members living within the household who traveled.
   Travel Dates	Enter the date for each day of the moving trip (mm/dd/yy)
   Meals	Meals will be reimbursed at the standard IRS per diem of $59/day effective 10/1/2021 ($55/day through 9/30/2021) or the actual expenses, not to exceed the daily per diem. For each meal being claimed at the per diem rate, enter the appropriate amount in the respective box. The per diem breakdown by meal is $13/person/day for breakfast, $15/person/day for lunch, $26/person/day for dinner, and $5/person/day for incidentals. If actual expenses are claimed, enter the total amount per meal in the respective box.
   Lodging	enter the actual lodging costs per day. Original receipts are required.
   Airline Tickets	enter the airline ticket expense. Original receipts are required.
   Taxis	enter the amount paid for taxis per day. Original receipts are required for amounts over $25.
   Tolls/Parking	enter the amount paid for tolls and parking fees per day. Original receipts are required for amounts over $10.
   Moving Costs	enter the costs to move the household goods. Original receipts are required.
   Car Rental/Gas	enter the cost of a rental car and gas. Original receipts are required.
   Other	enter any allowable costs that aren’t included above. Original receipts are required.
   Personal Car Expenses	if a personal vehicle was driven, enter the departure location in the From box and the new job site location in the To box. Enter the number of miles. The amount due will be calculated at the IRS house hunting mileage rate of 18 cents/mile effective Jan 1, 2022 (16 cents/mile in 2021).

3. Signature of traveler—the employee must sign and date the form. Note: If the form is not completed by the employee, the department employee who completes the form must sign on the Prepared By line.
4. Signature of Department Chair or Higher—the form must be signed by the department chair/director or next higher in the chain of command.
5. Forward the approved expense report along with the itemized receipts to travel@mtu.edu.