An overtime meal allowance is a fixed dollar amount (see chart) allowed while working or traveling in overtime status. Overtime status is when working or traveling time occurs beyond an employee's normal, scheduled work hours but not overnight. An overtime meal allowance does not apply during overnight travel. In the case of overnight travel, per diem rates apply.
- An overtime meal allowance is allowed when overtime worked is essential to the agency's mission, permitted by agency (departmental) policy, approved by the appropriate departmental personnel, and in excess of the employee's normal, scheduled work hours.
- Agencies are required to comply with IRS regulations regarding reportable meals.
- Reimbursement of an overtime meal is considered taxable wages and must be submitted to Payroll for processing.
- Refer to the chart for reimbursement amounts and documentation requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR OVERTIME MEAL ALLOWANCE | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Number of hours worked or traveled (document on reimbursement request) |
When overtime occurs |
Overtime meal allowance permitted |
Additional information to be documented for reimbursement |
|
Within official station |
Outside official station |
|||
2 or more overtime hours |
DURING a normal workday |
$5.00 |
$7.50 |
Workday and overtime start/end times |
5 or more overtime hours |
on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday or an alternate work scheduled day off* |
$5.00 |
$7.50 |
Overtime start and end times |
10 or more overtime hours |
on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday or an alternate work scheduled day off* |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
Overtime start and end times |
*Or if comparable overtime is necessitated by shift schedule or beyond a routine, scheduled 40-hour work period. |