1. Office of Governmentwide Policy U.S. General Services Administration Henry Maury Relocation Policy Director GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy GSA Training Conference and Expo 2010 May 3-7, 2010 You Heard it Here First - Upcoming Changes in Relocation Policy (Federal Civilian)

2. 2 Outline Handbooks and Glossary Test Programs Relocation Resource Centers Commuted Rate RBPC/GRAB Rule Data Collection Taxes Legislation

3. 3 Handbooks and Glossary GSA has developed two new handbooks and a glossary for relocation: Relocation Policy Guide for Federal Civilian Agencies – for agency policy managers Handbook for Relocating Federal Employees Glossary of Acronyms and Terms for Federal Civilian Relocation See: www.gsa.gov/relohandbooks

4. 4 Relocation Test Programs Congress has given GSA new authority to approve relocation test programs. Six pre-existing test programs have been approved for extensions (TVA, CBP, ICE(2), ATF, SSA). The new law allows a maximum of 12 at any one time. The new law sets a maximum duration of four years, with extensions possible.

5. 5 Relocation Resource Centers GSA surveyed all of the Federal agencies that are providing relocation services to other agencies. Six agencies responded – HHS, DOI, Treasury/BPD, VA, EPA, and GSA/FAS. We have now posted all of their input on our website, at www.gsa.gov/relopolicy.

6. 6 Combined RBPC/GRAB Rule Upcoming FTR changes – all in one big package: Reduces relocation and extensions from 2 years with a 2 year extension to one year with a possible one year extension Allows 2000 lbs. for packing household goods Establishes policies for UAB and PBP&E Reduces time limits on storage in transit for CONUS shipments to 60 + 90 days Limits CONUS POV shipment to 2 Reinforces the requirement to collect and report relocation data to GSA

7. 7 Combined RBPC/GRAB Rule –Page 2 Defines a “comprehensive, automated relocation management system” and urges agencies to move toward such systems Encourages lump sum payments for TQSE. Use locality rate per diem for lump sum househunting trips and standard CONUS per diem for actual expense househunting trips Allow broader use of the MEA Require agencies to consider using comprehensive home- sale programs Require employees in home sale programs to use the contractor’s counseling

8. 8 Data Collection Proposed rule on data collection published in the Federal Register October 21, 2009. Proposed data dictionary published concurrently on the GSA website, at www.gsa.gov/relopolicy. Version 2 of the data dictionary will be posted on the same website shortly. New rule will require CFO Act agencies to send transaction-level data to a GSA-run data warehouse. New rule also will require annual reports from the same agencies.

9. 9 Taxes on Relocation Expenses GSA is working on a proposed rule that will change the way Federal agencies calculate taxes on relocation expenses. Major changes: –Move from earned income to taxable income, which allows us to drop the special RITA tables –Allow agencies to use a one-year RITA process –Q&A format –Rewrites the rules on taxes on extended TDY benefits

10. 10 Proposed Legislation Highlights: New appointees Personally-managed moves Lump sum process for en route travel HHT expenses for family members Rental brokers’ fees Spousal employment assistance Automated relocation management systems Senior exec for relocation in large agencies Lump sum process that can include all benefits

11. 11 Contact Information Henry Maury 202-208-7928 Henry.Maury@gsa.gov Ed Davis 202-208-7638 Ed.Davis@gsa.gov Pam Silvis-Zelasko 202-208-5742 Pamela.Silvis- Zelasko@gsa.gov Rick Miller 202-208-3822 Rodney.Miller@gsa.gov www.gsa.gov/relopolicy