Finance Speak – ‘What is the IRS policy for requiring a receipt for a travel expense?’
Our customers frequently ask us questions on this topic. Mainly – What is the IRS policy for a receipt? And is it only needed for expenses greater than $50? There seems to be a lot of confusion and misinformation on this topic. So, to clarify doubts, here is the scoop –
1) The IRS accepts electronic receipts, but there are a few caveats (read more on this from a previous blog article we wrote. Click here)
2) Actually, the IRS does not need a receipt for expenses less than $75 (believe it or not!). Here is the text from the IRS publication 463 that validates it –
What Are Adequate Records?
You should keep the proof you need in an account book, diary, log, statement of expense, trip sheets, or similar record. You should also keep documentary evidence that, together with your record, will support each element of an expense.
- You have meals or lodging expenses while traveling away from home for which you account to your employer under an accountable plan, and you use a per diem allowance method that includes meals and/or lodging. ( Accountable plans and per diem allowances are discussed in chapter 6.)
- Your expense, other than lodging, is less than $75. <——
- You have a transportation expense for which a receipt is not readily available.
If you want to read the entire publication, it is available here. Hope you found this article to be useful! Now you can light a mini-bonfire and burn those <$75 receipts.
Please note that this is NOT legal or tax advice. Please contact your attorney or accountant for more information.
Good post. Our controller also said it was $50! Will print this and send to him.
Dan