Increased Meal and Lodging Limits for Travel funded by Local Accounts

The meal and lodging limits for travel funded by local funds has been increased for travel occurring on or after March 30, 2006. Travel reimbursement vouchers (VP5) created on or after April 24, 2006 for overnight meal and lodging reimbursements will follow these guidelines:

• The daily limit using local funds for meals and lodging within Texas will increase from $180 to $220.
• The daily limit using local funds for meals and lodging outside of Texas, but within the continental United States, will increase from $250 to $325.
• As before, the new limits are a combination of a day’s total actual meal and lodging expense.
• No receipts are required if meal costs are $41 or less per day.
• Unused meal reimbursement amounts may be used to increase lodging reimbursement amounts up to the total daily limit, but not vice versa.
• If actual receipts are provided, the meal limit may be exceeded if the total meal and lodging reimbursement does not exceed the daily limits stated above.

Frequently Asked Questions

• When do the meal and lodging limits for local accounts increase for travel?
  The increase applies to travel on or after March 30.
  
  
• When can I do the voucher to use the increased rates?
  Although the rate increase is for travel on or after March 30, you must wait till April 24 to create your voucher to use the increased rates. *DEFINE will not automatically apply the new rates until April 24.

Please direct any questions about this change in meal and lodging limit increases funded by local accounts to Marcia Boling in the Travel Section of the Office of Accounting at 471-7821 or email her at: oa.mboling@austin.utexas.edu