108.1 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procedure on Accountable Plan - Reimbursements

Summary

An Accountable Plan allows an employer to reimburse employees on a non-taxable basis when certain requirements are met. These regulations relate to reimbursing employees for business expenses, where reimbursement is not counted as income. This reimbursement process is referred to as an “Accountable Plan”. This Procedure explains the process for seeking Accountable Plan Reimbursements.

Body

University Procedure

Title

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Procedure for Accountable Plan - Reimbursements

Introduction

Purpose

As an institution of higher education, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("UNC-Chapel Hill" or "University") follows the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) rules for advances, travel and business expenditures under Treasury Regulation §1.62-2 as discussed under Code §§62(c) and 274 and IRS Publication 463. 

Furthermore, the University follows the requirements listed in NC General Statute §138-6. Travel allowances of State officers and employees and in consideration of the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) guidelines and regulations

An Accountable Plan allows an employer to reimburse employees on a non-taxable basis when certain requirements are met. These regulations relate to reimbursing employees for business expenses, where reimbursement is not counted as income. This reimbursement process is referred to as an “Accountable Plan”. This Procedure explains the process for seeking Accountable Plan Reimbursements.

Scope

This procedure applies to all employees (faculty, staff, student employees) seeking reimbursement or travel advance for authorized University business expenses, regardless of funding source or GL Business Unit.

Procedure

Expense Reimbursement Documentation and Supporting Information

To facilitate timely processing of expense reimbursements and maintain compliance with IRS Accountability Plan requirements, please provide the following elements on all expense reimbursement requests within 60 days from when the expenses are paid or incurred.

  • Substantiation of business expenses: Completion of all required fields in appropriate system or transaction.
  • Itemized receipts should be original and show the name of the payee, the amount of the charge, the transaction date, and method of payment. If original receipts are not available, a Missing Receipt Affidavit must be completed.
  • Official meeting agendas may be used to document the University business purpose.

REMINDER: Reimbursements submitted 180 days after expenses are paid or incurred will not be processed. Please submit all requests timely.

Refund payments

Refund payments are not business expense reimbursements under Code §§ 62(c) and 274. Thus, this procedure does not pertain to refund payments.

Travel Advances

Please refer to 1501 – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on Business Travel for details on travel advances.

Travel Advances may be issued no more than 30 days prior to the expenses being incurred and must be reasonably calculated not to exceed the amount of anticipated expenditures.

Travel Advances must be reconciled within 60 days of the last day of travel.

Taxable Reporting

If the above conditions are not met, the reimbursement or travel advance may be reported as additional taxable income on the employee’s next available paycheck and included on Form W-2 as taxable income. The earnings code on the employee’s paystub will indicate which area reported the taxable event. So when questions arise please reach out to the following:

  • Taxable Concur Reimbursement – travel_team@unc.edu
  • Taxable Web Travel – travel_team@unc.edu 
  • Taxable Voucher Reimbursement – accountspayable@unc.edu

Taxes may also be deducted from the employee’s paycheck per applicable regulations and information on file which can also result in FICA being charged to department funding sources.

Definitions

Related Requirements

University Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Accountable Plan

Contact: Controller

Telephone: 919-962-1370

Email: controller@unc.edu

Concur and Web Travel Advances/Reimbursements

Contact: Travel Services

Telephone: 919-962-0120

Email: travel_team@unc.edu

Voucher Reimbursements

Contact: Accounts Payable

Telephone: 919-962-0213

Email: accountspayable@unc.edu

Payroll

Contact: Payroll Services

Telephone: 919-962-0046

Email: payroll@unc.edu

 

Details

Details

Article ID: 147976
Created
Wed 11/8/23 10:21 AM
Modified
Thu 3/7/24 9:27 AM
Responsible Unit
School, Department, or other organizational unit issuing this document.
Finance and Budget
Issuing Officer
Name of the document Issuing Officer. This is the individual whose organizational authority covers the policy scope and who is primarily responsible for the policy.
Issuing Officer Title
Title of the person who is primarily responsible for issuing this policy.
Chief Procurement Officer
Next Review
Date on which the next document review is due.
11/16/2024 12:00 AM
Last Review
Date on which the most recent document review was completed.
11/16/2023 12:00 AM
Effective Date
If the date on which this document became/becomes enforceable differs from the Origination or Last Revision, this attribute reflects the date on which it is/was enforcable.
11/16/2023 12:00 AM
Origination
Date on which the original version of this document was first made official.
11/16/2023 12:00 AM