The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 changes the taxability of qualified moving expenses. Beginning in 2018, all moving expenses are taxable, whether paid directly to the employee or paid on their behalf. Departments and Colleges should incorporate this into Letters of Offer, etc.
 

All moving payments to be made direct to employees should be entered as an “add pay” through the ePAF system using earning code “MER”. The ePAF system requires documentation be attached, authorizing the transaction. Please attach a copy of the offer letter/communication to the employee, specifying the authorized moving amounts.The Federal and State Supplemental Tax Rates are used for all moving payments. These payments are also subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes. The OUHSC fringe benefit rate for the moving allowance pay code will be equal to the total of the current Social Security and Medicare rates. The full fringe rate will be charged for moving payments. However, Financial Services will run a process quarterly to rebate the excess fringe charged back to the departments.
 

The University’s moving company contracts will still be available for use. Those expenses may continue to be paid directly to the vendor from the department. The amounts that are paid on behalf of the employees through university contracts are now subject to tax and will require the employee to sign the Employee Expense Reportable as Income Form acknowledging that the payment will be reported to Payroll Services and taxed on a future payroll. Please note, this will result in the employee getting a reduced or possibly zero pay check. For information on this contract/payment process, please contact Accounts Payable.