1. STATEWIDE TRAVEL REGULATIONS
February 2011

2. General Information
The travel regulations can be found at
Statewide Travel Regulations are issued by the State Accounting Office and the Office of Planning and Budget.
BOR allows institutions to implement additional policies which can be more restrictive. Institutional Guidelines and Procedures are on the Controller’s webpage.

3. Authorization for Travel
Employees must receive authorization from their department head/director prior to performing the travel.
A standing travel authorization may be issued for in-state travel only. A standing travel authorization can not extend past the current fiscal year.
A specific or individual authorization must be initiated for all out-of state travel.

4. Authorization for Travel
Traveler retains authorization in the traveler’s home department until traveler requests reimbursement for the trip.

5. Authorization for Travel
Original approved travel authorization should be submitted as supporting documentation for the expense report.
For standing travel authorizations, the original should be submitted with the initial expense report and a copy should be submitted for all subsequent expense reports.

6. Authorization for Travel
If an employee is traveling with a group or team, the employee must submit a travel authorization addendum listing the names of all members of the group.
A travel authorization for non-employees must be submitted for all non-employees who will be reimbursed for travel.
UWG Travel Authorization Guideline can be found at

7. Meal Reimbursement
Employees traveling overnight will be paid a per diem amount designed to cover the cost of meals (including tax and tips), based on the number of meals per day for which the employee is eligible.
Generally the traveler is eligible for reimbursement for three meals per day for all days on travel status other than the day of departure and return.

8. Meal Reimbursement
Not eligible for reimbursement if meal is part of the cost of conference registration.
Day of Departure/Return – Employees should report the actual time of departure/return and will only be reimbursed for meals while officially on travel status. Departure may be from home or UWG depending on travel plans.
Indicate location (city/state) where the meal took place.

9. Meal Reimbursement
Copy of official conference/meeting agenda is required.
If reimbursement is requested for a conference meal that was provided, the employee must:
Justify the meal using exception comment checkbox in PeopleSoft
Provide receipt for meal (not to exceed per diem amount)

10. Meal Reimbursement Day of Departure/Return
Time of Departure/Return
Day of Return B L D
12:00 a.m. – 6:30 a.m.
6:30 a.m. – 10:59 a.m.
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
1:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

11. Per Diem Rates In-State (In General)
Eligible Meals
Per Diem Amounts
Breakfast
$6.00
Lunch
$7.00
Dinner
$15.00

12. Per Diem Rates In-State High Cost
Per Diem Rates In-State High Cost *Restricted to the following counties – Chatham, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, Dekalb, Fayette, Fulton, Glynn, Gwinnett, and Richmond
Eligible Meals
Per Diem Amount
Breakfast
$7.00
Lunch
$9.00
Dinner
$20.00

13. Meal Reimbursement Out-of-State
Employees traveling outside of Georgia may receive meal per diem amounts up to the federal per diem rates – less the $5 federal incidentals allowance.
Employee must be lodging and working in the high cost area in order to claim the high cost meal per diem.
Federal per diem rates can be found at
Breakdown by meal for federal per diem rates can be found at

14. Meal Breakdown Out-of-State
M&IE
$46
$51
$56
$61
$66
$71
Breakfast $7 $8 $9
$10
$11
$12
Lunch
$13
$15
$16
$18
Dinner
$23
$26
$29
$31
$34
$36
Incidentals $5

15. Meal Reimbursement Out-of-State
If neither the city nor the county is listed for a particular state, the per diem rate is the standard federal per diem rate of $46 for meals and incidentals. With the $5 deduction for incidentals, the meal per diem would be $41 ($7 Breakfast, $11 Lunch and $23 Dinner)

16. Meal Reimbursement Foreign Travel
Per diem rates for foreign travel can be found at
Allocation of foreign meal per diem rates can be found at

17. Meal Reimbursement No Overnight Travel
Employees may receive per diem for meals that are an integral part of a scheduled, official meeting. The meeting must be with persons outside the employee’s department and meeting should continue during the meal. Employees are not authorized to receive this per diem if they leave the premises of the meeting site.

18. Meal Reimbursement No Overnight Travel
Employees may be reimbursed for noon meals that are part of a required registration fee.
Employees who travel more than 30 miles from home or headquarters on a work assignment and are away for more than thirteen hours may receive per diem for meals.
The travel regulations do not authorize employees to receive per diem for a “lunch meeting” in which the meal and meeting are one and the same.

19. Meal Reimbursement Student Travel Per Diems
See Institutional Policy for Student Travel Per Diems and Food Purchases at

20. Meal Reimbursement Student Travel Per Diems
Meals purchased with Student Activity or Aux Enterprise funds may exceed by 50% established location per diems.
For Athletic Department only, two consecutive per diems may be combined prior to or following a game or match.
If receipt is submitted for less than the per diem amount, reimbursement will be paid at the amount of the receipt.

21. Lodging Expenses
Employees who travel more than 50 miles from their home office, residence, or headquarters may be reimbursed for lodging expenses.
Employees should ensure that the most reasonable lodging rates are obtained.
Obtain an receipt with an itemized breakdown of costs such as room charge, parking, internet, etc.

22. Taxes Associated with Lodging
Lodging paid directly by employee (personal credit card, personal check or cash) are exempt from hotel/motel tax.
State and local government officials and employees traveling within the state on official business are exempt from paying the county or municipal excise tax on lodging (“hotel/motel” or “occupancy” tax). Employees are required to pay any state/local sales and use taxes.

23. Taxes Associated with Lodging
Employees are required to submit a copy of the hotel/motel tax-exemption form when they register at a hotel/motel. This does not apply to employees staying at an out-of-state hotel/motel.
If the hotel refuses to exempt the tax, the employee should pay the tax. The tax should be noted on the travel expense statement and will be reimbursed. The travel reimbursement office will notify the SAO of the hotel/motel’s refusal to exempt the tax.

24. Lodging Expenses
“Resort” and other fees are sometimes charged by a hotel. These are not tax exempt fees and will be reimbursed.
The lodging expenses should be itemized on the travel expense statement and receipts are required for reimbursement.

25. Mileage Reimbursement
The state requires employees who travel to determine the most advantageous form of travel. There are many factors that play a role in determining the most advantageous form of travel. Some helpful information can be found at:

26. Mileage Reimbursement
Tier 1 Rate – When it is determined that a personal motor vehicle is the most advantageous form of travel. Reimbursement will be made at the Tier 1 rate in effect for the travel date.
Required documentation includes a comparison of the personal vehicle cost verses the cost of a fleet vehicle (if available) and a rental vehicle.
The following website is a good tool to calculate the estimated cost of a rental vehicle.

27. Mileage Reimbursement
An employee who travels less than 200 miles round-trip will be reimbursed at the Tier 1 rate without having to provide additional documentation concerning the most cost advantageous form of travel.

28. Mileage Reimbursement
If an employee travels more than 200 miles, he/she should not report the lesser miles in order to claim the Tier 1 rate resulting in an economic advantage to the employee.

29. Mileage Reimbursement
Tier 2 Rate – If a government/agency owned vehicle is available and its use is determined to be most advantageous or if it is determined that a rental vehicle is the most advantageous method of travel, but a personal motor vehicle is used, the employee will be reimbursed for business miles traveled at the Tier 2 rate.

30. In-State Motor Vehicle Rental
Employees should utilize the statewide contract with Enterprise.

31. Mileage Reimbursement
Employees requesting reimbursement are no longer required to record the actual odometer readings on the expense statement.
Personal/commuting miles should be entered in the appropriate field to be excluded.
If round trip miles are entered on one expense line, documentation must be submitted as to the places visited during the trip.

32. Determination of Miles Traveled
Employees may be reimbursed for the mileage incurred from the point of departure to the travel destination. If an employee departs from his/her residence, mileage is calculated from the residence to the destination point, with a reduction for normal one-way commuting miles. If an employee returns to his/her residence, mileage is calculated based on the distance to the residence, with a reduction for normal one-way commuting miles.

33. Example A Employee drives from home to headquarters to job site
back to headquarters and back home. Total business
miles traveled is 80 miles.
From Headquarters to Remote Site: 40 miles From Remote Site to Headquarters: 40 miles Total Business Miles: 80 miles
Job site
40 mil
Home
Headquarters
15 miles
Normal commute

34. Example B Employee drives from home to headquarters to remote
site then back home from remote site. Total reimbursable
miles is 22 miles. (Total miles traveled is 37 miles with
a deduction of 15 one-way commute miles).
From Headquarters to Remote Site: 18 miles From Remote Site to Home: 19 miles Less Residence to Headquarters: miles Total Business Miles: 22 miles
Remote site
19 miles
18 mil
Home
Headquarters
15 miles
Normal commute

35. Example C Employee leaves from home to attend a conference
200 miles from home. Employee returns directly home
after conference. Total business miles traveled is 370
miles. (400 miles to conference site and back less 30
round-trip normal commute miles.)
From Home to Remote Site: 200 miles Less Home to Headquarters: -15 miles
From Remote Site to Home 200 miles
Less Home to Headquarters: -15 miles Total Business Miles: 370 miles
Conference
Site
200 miles
Headquarters
Home
15 miles
Normal commute

36. Exceptions
If travel occurs on a weekend or holiday, mileage is calculated from the point of departure with no reduction for normal commuting miles.
If an employee does not regularly travel to an office/headquarters, the requirement to deduct normal commuting miles does not apply.
If travel occurs on a day that is not considered a normal work day for the employee. “The requirement to deduct normal commuting miles does not apply.”
This exception does not apply to those working under the State’s telework policy. Therefore, if an employee works under the State’s telework policy and travels on a day covered by that policy, then the employee would be required to deduct normal commuting miles.

37. Parking Fees, Tolls, Mass Transit, Taxis & Shuttles
Should be recorded on the travel expense statement.
Receipt is required for expenses greater than $25.
If receipt is not obtained or lost, complete the “Missing Receipt Form.”

38. Air Travel
Employees should utilize commercial air transportation when it is more effective and efficient to travel by air than by vehicle.
Employees who travel by air should obtain the lowest available airfare to the specified destination.
Employees who choose to travel by personal vehicle when air travel is more cost effective should only be reimbursed for the cost of the lowest available airfare to the destination.
Utilize the lowest possible coach fares.

39. Prepaid Airfare
University has contract with West Georgia Travel for employees to obtain airfare and have it billed directly to the University.
Submit completed and approved travel authorization to West Georgia Travel.
West Georgia Travel will book flight and issue invoice to University.
University will make payment on behalf of employee.
Employee must reconcile prepayment of airfare on final expense report.

40. Out-of-State Rental of Motor Vehicles
A statewide contract is available for out-of-state motor vehicle rentals.
This contract can be found at
Employees will be reimbursed for gasoline purchased in association with the business use of a rental vehicle. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement.

41. Miscellaneous Travel Expenses
Telephone/fax expenses incurred for work related telephone and fax charges.
Internet usage charges for work related charges.
Stationery/supplies/postage expenses may be reimbursed if directly associated with a work related project.
Baggage handling services may be reimbursed when an expense is actually incurred.

42. Miscellaneous Travel Expenses
Registration Fees for participation in workshops, seminars or conferences.
Visa/Passport Fees may be reimbursed when the employer necessitates the use of a passport/visa and the employee does not currently possess such a document.

43. Unallowable Expenses
Laundry (except when travel exceeds 7 consecutive days)
Tipping for Maid Services
Valet services for parking when self-parking is available. (must provide explanation)
Theater
Entertainment
Alcoholic beverages
Visa/passport fees (except as noted on previous slide)
Bank charges for ATM withdrawals

44. Reimbursement Procedures
Must submit reimbursement request using the Travel and Expense module of PeopleSoft Financials V8.9.
This module can be accessed using the Financials Self Service application which can be found at
The electronic expense report should be entered and will automatically be routed through the proper approval process.

45. Reimbursement Procedures
A paper copy of the expense report should be printed after electronic submission. This paper copy (signed by the traveler), along with the travel authorization and all associated receipts, should be submitted to the Office of the Controller for audit purposes.
Supervisor must also sign the travel expense report if he/she is not the approving official on the expense report.
Example is when a traveler is having expenses paid by another cost center whereby his/her supervisor is not the approver on that particular funding source.

46. Reimbursement Procedures
Upon receipt of the approved electronic copy and the paper copy of the expense report, the Office of the Controller will audit report and process it for payment.
Travel expense statements are processed in the order in which they are received.

47. Reimbursement Procedures
Generally, all reimbursements will be direct deposited (via EFT) into the bank account setup through Human Resources.
Except during month-end close out and other times of extenuating circumstances, EFT’s are processed daily.

48. Reimbursement Procedures
Employees are responsible for timely and accurate accounting of their travel expense.
Expense reports are to be compiled and submitted for approval within sixty (60) days after the trip is completed.
Travelers will only be reimbursed for their own expenses and not for expenses incurred on behalf of another (exception is for group travel).

49. Required Receipts Receipts are required for the following expenses:
- Meals purchased in lieu of those provided at the conference/training
- Lodging, with an itemized breakdown of costs such as room charge, parking, internet, etc.
- Airfare
- Rental of motor vehicles
- Gasoline purchased for rental vehicles
- Taxis and shuttles (if greater than $25)
- Parking, tolls and mass transit (if greater than $25)
- Registration Fees
- Supplies

50. Missing Receipts
If missing a required receipt, traveler should indicate such in the description field of the expense type in the PeopleSoft system.
Traveler should also complete the Missing Receipt Form and submit supporting documentation as indicated on the form.
Acceptance of Missing Receipt Form is subject to review and approval by Controller’s Office.

51. Team/Group Travel
Team/Group travel consist of individuals who are traveling as part of an officially recognized athletic team or student group.
For the purpose of Team/Group policies, these members are considered non-employees.
An individual employee may expend funds or request cash advance funds on behalf of a team or group.

52. Team/Group Travel
All travel and cash advance policies apply to team/group travel.
Additionally, it is required that names of the team/group members be identified on both the travel authorization and the travel expense report.

53. Cash Advances
Cash Advances may be requested to minimize the financial burden on employees when traveling on behalf of the State.
Minimum amount of cash advance is $200
For specific University guidelines and procedures, please visit

54. Cash Advances
May receive funds for anticipated meals, lodging and transportation costs.
Submit request using the Travel Advance Authorization Form. Include travel authorization, roster (list of team/group) and itinerary. Must be received at least 5 business days prior to the first day of travel.
An itinerary is a detailed record of your anticipated travel.

55. Cash Advances
Travel Advance Authorization will be reviewed and approved by the Office of the Controller.
Actual cash advance will be entered into PeopleSoft Expenses by Controller’s office and routed for electronic approval.

56. Cash Advance
Cash Advance will be issued via EFT or check depending upon payment method established within the HR system.
Efforts will be made to not issue cash advance payments earlier than 5 business days prior to date of departure.

57. Cash Advance Reconciliation
Employee must reconcile (submit receipts) or return unused travel advance funds within 10 business days from the final date of travel.
Payroll deduction is an alternative should the advance not be reconciled in a timely manner.
Reconciliation of cash advance will be initiated by applying the cash advance to the expense report submitted by the traveler. Employee must provide all necessary receipts to substantiate stated expenses.

58. Important Reminders Submit a properly approved travel authorization.
Submit the correct version of the printed copy. Please print the landscape view; not the portrait view.
Submit the expense report with all necessary receipts.
Be sure funds are available in your budget before submitting the expense report.

59. Important Reminders
Be sure to submit the electronic expense report for approval after data entry.
Submit the proper cost justification for Tier 1 mileage.
Provide the proper departure/return time and location of meals.
Attach copy of official conference or meeting agenda.

60. Important Reminders
Any exceptions to these policies require written explanation by the traveler to the appropriate Dean or VP for approval prior to submission to the Controller’s Office.
Do not list registration that UWG has paid on traveler’s behalf as “prepaid” on the expense statement.

61. Important Reminders
Submit expense reports within 60 days of the last travel date.
Submit receipts that indicate payment was made.
Have the hotel/motel/occupancy tax excluded or provide explanation.
Submit the team/group roster and detailed itinerary with all cash advance requests.

62. Important Reminders
Enter separate expense type/line for any parking, internet, phone or other charges appearing on lodging invoice. Do not include these as part of lodging expense.

63. Additional Information
Visit the Travel website at for information or to find necessary forms.
Website also includes information about institutional specific guidelines.

64. Staff Questions regarding policy Anita Saunders asaunder@westga.edu
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Lisa Thrash
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Randy Miller
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Questions regarding PeopleSoft data entry
Tricia Durrough
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