Frequently-Asked Questions
Travel Reimbursement
- Q: Do I get reimbursed for travel expenses on my payroll check?
- A: Only for reportable/taxable meals, certain educational expenses, and moving expenses - - this has not changed. All other travel expenses are reimbursed to the employee throughout the month. Other than the initial set-up entry, receiving travel reimbursement through ACH has nothing to do with payroll.
- Q: Can I get reimbursed for travel through ACH even though I receive my payroll by check?
- A: No. The rules state that you must be signed up for direct deposit of payroll to receive travel reimbursements through ACH. On the other hand, just because you receive your payroll direct deposit, you are not required to receive your travel reimbursements that way. The choice is up to each employee.
- Q: Why don’t I receive a pay stub like I do for my payroll check?
- A: First of all, this is not run through the payroll system, but the accounting system, just like the travel reimbursement checks. There will be no "pay stubs" printed, but each agency receives an accounting printout showing the employee’s name and amount that went through the system. In addition, agencies receive a remittance advice for each employee or vendor paid through ACH that day. It is up to the agency to decide if they want to copy these and distribute them to the employees for their personal records.
- Q: If I don’t receive any written verification, how do I know when the money goes into my account?
- A: The turnaround time for receiving your reimbursement is the same length of time it took to receive your check -- about two days. And it most likely will end up deposited in your bank faster than if you had to take the check in yourself. If you do not feel comfortable assuming that the money is deposited on time, you may call your bank and have them verify it. The only days you will receive payroll ACH deposits from OMB will be on the first and sixth working days of each month. Any other day that shows an automatic deposit would be for travel expenses.
- Q: What about taxable meals, certain educational assistance payments, and moving expenses? How will these be handled?
- A: Because these expenses involve federal reporting on a W-2, they will continue to be paid to the employee on the next payroll cycle. They will be itemized on the pay stub and will not be paid out at any other time during the month.
