Qualified moving expense?

[Hahn1040]

T/P works for State Dept

was moving back from post in Brussels, wife didn't want to fly coach, so paid $4,000 for first class ticket to DC.  Government did not reimburse any of it,  

I feel it was not a necessary expense, Govt would have bought her ticket,  It was T/P choice to pay out of pocket

Thoughts???  thanks

[Possi]

If the government wasn't reimbursing it, and they were moving on their own, you'd take it, right? Just thinking out loud. There isn't a "cap" on what your flight status is, and if I was on that long flight and could bump it up, I would. So, I'd take the expense.

[kcjenkins]

I'd take it.  IRS rules do not require that you use the cheapest mover, cheapest motel, etc.  Same thing here.  

[DANRVAN]

There are restrictions.  See Reg 1.217-2 for reference to: "reasonable"; "shortest and most direct route"; and "lavish or extravagant".

[Max W]

 

On 4/26/2016 at 9:03 AM, DANRVAN said:

There are restrictions.  See Reg 1.217-2 for reference to: "reasonable"; "shortest and most direct route"; and "lavish or extravagant".

Interesting. This reg says you CAN deduct meals . Was this reg amended to not include meals?

As for the airfare, there may be a court ruling, or something else that says if you are offered reimbursed expenses and don't take that you lose out on anything over the reimbursed amount.  Just sayin'.