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Personal Moves

Are there other options for employee moves?

While the Lump Sum Moving Allowance is the UW Preferred Option for Personal Houshold moves, there are other options.  They include:

  • State of Washington contracted move: the employee move is coordinated by UW and State contracted movers.
  • Self Moves:  the employee pays for their moving expenses up front and submits receipts for reimbursement of allowable expenses.

Please note that all household moves will be subject to the charge of fringe benefit rates regardless of how the move was funded. More information about the Fringe Benefit Load Rate is available on the Financial Accounting webpage Fringe Benefit Load Rate.

Are in route travel expenses eligible for reimbursement to a new / transferred employee as part of their household move?
Are moving expenses taxable?

Moving expenses which are allowable by State law are not necessarily considered Qualified and deductible by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The IRS requires the University to report moving expenses based on the information provided in their Publication 521.

 

Please consult with your tax accountant for more information.

What is the limit for state contracted moves?

If you are authorizing someone for a state contracted move, you are authorizing them up to the state limit of 16,000 lbs.

What if I can't do a Lump Sum Moving Allowance?

Please contact Procurement Customer Service at (206) 543-4500 or by email at pcshelp@uw.edu.

Are household moves subject to the fringe benefit rate withholding?

Yes.  All household moves will be subject to the charge of fringe benefit rate, regardless of how the move was funded (i.e., Lump Sum Allowance, Self Move, State Contracted Move, etc.) 

More information about the Fringe Benefit Load Rate is available on the Financial Accounting webpage Fringe Benefit Load Rate.

Can I submit travel expenses for reimbursement in addition to the Lump Sum Moving Allowance?

No.  

The Lump Sum Moving Allowance is intended to be used for all moving and travel expenses associated with the new empolyee's relocation.  The new employee should not expect additional payments or reimbursements related to their move. 

Departments who would rather reimburse travel expenses related to relocation rather than offer a Lump Sum Moving Allowance should see the Travel Office webpage.