Telecommunications Procedures

Telecommunications Allowance

A telecommunications allowance is non-taxable reimbursement to an employee for the cost of business use on the employee's personal cell phone, data plan or home-based Internet service. The telecommunications allowance is paid in equal installments in a nonexempt employee's biweekly paycheck and in an exempt employee's monthly paycheck. It is non-taxable income that is included in the employee's paycheck.

• Determine Employee Eligibility and Amount of Telecommunications Allowance

Supervisor determines:

• Employee's eligibility according to the Telecommunications Policy.
• Amount based on the Telecommunications Allowance Guidelines and Dollar Limits which has fixed dollar limits, i.e. no other amounts are to be used.

Employee:

• Selects any service provider and plan features that meet the requirements of the job responsibilities.
• Establishes himself/herself as the billing party.
• Maintains an active service contract as long as the telecommunications allowance is in place. Provides management, upon request, with a copy of the most recent statement.
• Informs the Supervisor, who is responsible for notifying the Payroll Office, to discontinue the telecommunications allowance when the eligibility criteria are no longer met or when the service is cancelled.
• Request, Renew, Change or Cancel a Telecommunications Allowance

Supervisor:

• Completes a Telecommunications Allowance Request form. (Request requires annual renewal each fiscal year.)
• Obtains approval from the Major Area Budget Manager and Vice President.
• Submits the form to the Payroll Office.