1. Taxability of Relocation Expenses
Revised 4/24/2018

2. IRS Tax Law Change
Beginning in 2018, an employee can no longer deduct personal moving expenses nor can an employer pay or reimburse an employee’s personal moving expenses on a tax-free basis.   However, the employer can continue to pay such moving expenses to be treated as taxable W-2 wages through Payroll.
Notes:  This discussion doesn't include Lab moves.  Lab moves are still University related expense and follow the historical procedure.   

3. Overview
Prior to and after the 2018 tax law changes, House Hunting trips were taxable payment to the future employee.   With the tax law change, UAB can incorporate house hunting and moving allowances into the same package.   In combination, we will refer to them together as relocation allowance.
UAB allows a future employee access to our contract pricing but the payment to vendor is made by the future employee.  Any exception to pay the vendor directly (under extreme circumstances) instead of the future employee must be approved by AVP -Financial Affairs but doesn’t change the taxability of the payment to the future employee.
The relocation allowance for any dually-funded employees should generally be provided thru the entity which has the higher rate of pay.
ie – a dually funded MD who earns $20k on UAB and $200k on HSF should receive relocation allowance thru HSF so as not to create issues in providing a net UAB payment that covers the taxable impact of a $20k move

4. Relocation Allowance payment
Relocation allowances are allowable for 01 Full-time Regular and 02 Full-time Temporary faculty, senior leaders through a search, head coaches, assistant coaches, and Athletics senior staff (Asst. AD and up). 
Any other exempt position requires approval by Recruitment Services.   
Non-exempt employees are not allowed to be paid relocation allowances. 

5. Relocation Allowance payment wording
Below is the approved Offer letter wording.   Also provided are optional wordings that would be used in relation to additional allowances or lab moves.
Moving and Relocation
We agree to compensate you for relocation expenses in the amount of $________.  In accordance with IRS regulations as well as UAB policies and procedures, UAB allows you to select one of two options on receiving your additional taxable compensation prior to your hire date and relocation.  The election form is attached.  If the relocation allowance is processed after your hire date then the taxable payment is processed through payroll. 

6. Relocation Allowance payment Optional wording
Any additional relocation allowance for unexpected expenses must be approved by your Dean/VP and will be paid through payroll.
As approved by [Dean or VP], additional $______for ____ month(s) relocation allowance for temporary housing will be paid through payroll in combination with regular payroll and any other additional payments. 
Labs
With regard to moving any lab equipment or materials, you must follow all policies and procedures relating to such equipment and materials. If you have any questions regarding moving lab equipment or materials you should contact UAB’s Occupational Health and Safety.

7. Relocation Allowance form
The UAB Relocation Allowance Election form is used when the offer letter only states the wording provided under Moving and Relocation.   This allows the future employee to choose from the following two options:
Election A- Receive 100% of the payment up to two months prior to relocation through Accounts Payable (AP), or
Election B – Receive 60% through AP up to two months prior to relocation and 40% through Payroll.
Notes:  These payments are taxable.  Since AP payments are not W-2 reportable, the taxes and taxability have to occur once the employee is hired and active on the payroll.  The AP payment would be recovered and the taxable payment processed through payroll.

8. Relocation Allowance form
Election A – the taxation would be divided between the first and second full payroll.
If not divided, you could easily take 100% of the pay.
Election B – the taxation will occur on the first regular payroll for the employee. 
The signed election form and required attachments (W-9, Offer Letter) can be faxed (not ed due to SSN on the W-9) to Payroll Services once an amount and relocation date is determined.  Fax to Payroll Services (205)

9. Relocation Allowance form notes
Regular payroll is defined as a full rate of pay on the assignment relating to the move.  This is indicated to avoid mid-pay period pays.
If the hire date has passed, then the all relocation allowances are paid through payroll in combination with regular payroll.
Relocation Allowances are not payable on a grant.  
UAB will not require nor ask for any receipts – the amount to be paid should be stated in the offer letter. 
The payment is charged the CFB E rate.

10. Relocation Additional Allowance form
The Relocation Additional Allowance form is used for any Optional Statements in the Offer letter like any additional relocation allowance payments or temporary housing allowances made after the future employee has elected the disbursement path are processed only through payroll.    The timing of these payments one-time may be in combination with the predetermined allowance and cause further taxation.
Notes:  These additional payments would require dean/VP approval (or delegate).  These payments are paid through payroll in combination with regular payroll.

11. After the election forms are signed and faxed to Payroll Services
Payroll will process the accounts payable payment charged to a central account and new object code
After the employee is on the payroll, Payroll will process the taxable payment charged to the department and deduct the AP payment
If the employee is already on the payroll, Payroll will process the payment and charge to the department

12. Housekeeping
Purchasing will be reviewing moving allowances paid under the “old” object code for taxability.
They will notify the fiscal officers of payments that are in question
Payroll will move any payroll disbursements processed under the “old” element and move it to the new element
First payroll will change the new element to charge CFB E rate

13. Process/Guideline
Relocation Allowance Election Form and Relocation Additional Allowance Election Form are both available on the UAB Financial Affairs website under “Forms”