While the per diem rate for lodging remains unchanged for the second year in a row, the M&IE rate increased to $59 per day. Gas reimbursement rates also went up to 58.5 cents per mile.
The General Services Administration (GSA) recently announced the gas reimbursement rates for 2022 will go up from last year’s, and an extension was granted to agencies to waive employee deadlines associated with submitting claims for expenses related to any agency relocations. Also, back in August, the GSA stated that the per diem rates for lodging would remain the same as the 2021 figures, which were in turn unchanged from 2020 rates. Rates at which meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) are reimbursed increased by $2 to $59 per day.
There are several people employed by the Federal Government who have to use a vehicle to perform their duties. As long as a specialty vehicle isn’t required, many have the option to use their own car or van. Even mail carriers for the USPS, especially in rural areas, might be required to use their own automobile- or at least have a choice. When a Federal employee uses his or her car to perform their duties for the country’s civil service, they can get reimbursed for gas and mileage.
In situations where there is no government-owned vehicle available for use and an employee has to use his own car, truck, van, or SUV for federal government travel (and before you ask, commuting doesn’t count), the rate this year is 58.5 cents per mile. This is up 2 and a half cents from last year’s rate of $0.56/mile, and 1 cent higher than 2020’s rate of 57.5 cents.
For motorcycles, the rate went up from $0.54/mile last year to 56 cents per mile. Fuel reimbursement for federal workers who use their own privately owned airplanes for federal government business saw the largest increase per mile – increasing nearly 26 cents from $1.26/mile to $1.515 per mile. The change from 2020 to 2021 for airplanes was much less dramatic, only rising 1 cent for every mile traveled by private aircraft.
If there is a government vehicle available for use, but a federal employee chooses to use their own automobile, that rate has increased by 2 cents from $0.16/mile in 2021 to 18 cents per mile in 2022.
Expenses federal employees incur while conducting government business within the continental United States can be claimed by the employee to a limit of $153 per diem. $96 of this total can be used for lodging, which hasn’t changed since 2020 due to the pandemic’s impact on the industry. The remaining $57 can be reimbursed for M&IE. While the meal part is relatively self-explanatory, the incidental purchases encompass any incurred fees and tips that are paid to “porters, carriers, hotel staff, and staff on ships” (GSA.gov).
The above per diem rates pertain to roughly 2600 counties in the continental US. However, there are 319 locations categorized as “non-standard.” The range of these M&IE reimbursement rates also increased, going from $56-$76/day to $59-$79/day.
Until Next Time,
The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Serving Those Who Serve writers and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. **
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