This resource provides information to help Expense Requests system users select correct transaction types, choose correct category templates and complete transaction screens. This content is available on Fingate as well as from help links within the Expense Requests system.
Determine Transaction Type for New Transaction
Consider the following when deciding what type of new transaction to create.
Expense Reports
Create an expense report for business-related expenditures and reimbursement requests, including out-of-pocket business expenditures and travel expenditures purchased with a Stanford Travel Card.
The Expense Report Type depends on the payee:
- SU Payee – Stanford University student, faculty, staff, or emeritus See Guidelines for Use of Expense Report Categories.
- Non-SU Payee – any individual or company who is a visitor or supplier See Guidelines for Use of Categories for Non-SU Payee (Visitor Reimbursement).
See Guidelines – Foreign Expenses to determine foreign expenses.
Advances
Cash advances may be requested for out-of-pocket business expenses associated with travel (domestic or foreign) such as airfare or, in some cases, anticipated cash expenditures to be incurred during business travel. Advances can also be requested for incentive payments to human subjects. The advance funds must be paid to an SU Payee.
- Request – select to request advance funds for travel or incentive payment for human subjects.
- Clear – opens an expense report to clear an advance, and to allocate those funds. Enter the SU Payee who received the funds as the payee of the expense report.
See
Non-PO Payment
Select Non-PO Payment to pay for certain types of expenses that do not require a formal purchase order, or, for which negotiation by the Procurement department adds no value. Refer to Guidelines for Use of Non-PO Payment Categories.
- Single Payee – select when there is only one payee. Some categories allow non-PO payments to both SU Payees and Non-SU Payees.
- Multiple Payees – select to process a non-PO payment for 2 to 50 payees in one transaction.
- All payees must be paid for the same Non-PO payment category, and the same Business Purpose must apply to each.
- All payees must be already set up as a Supplier / Payee. Requests for new payees are not possible during the entry of a non-PO payment request transactions for multiple payees.
See
Petty Cash Replenishment
Only Petty Cash Custodians will see the Petty Cash Replenishment option on the home page. Use this option to replenish petty cash funds, and reconcile a petty cash account.
Guidelines for Use of Categories for SU Payees
Expense Reports are used to report business and travel expenses (including TCard and receipt-based expenses) for the purpose of expense approval, and the allocation of expenses to the appropriate Project, Task, Award, and Expenditure Type (PTAE). An expense report may also result in a reimbursement to the Payee for eligible out-of-pocket expenses.
Each expense report will fall into one of the categories listed below. When creating a new expense report for an SU Payee, begin on the General Information screen by choosing the correct category based on the descriptions below.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Athletics Use Only | Used only by the Athletics department |
| Expenses (Domestic U.S.) |
See below for additional guidelines |
| Expenses (Foreign) |
See below for additional guidelines |
| Human Resources Only | Used only by Human Resources staff |
| Human Subjects | To reimburse SU Payees for out-of pocket funds used for incentive payments to human subjects, or for human subject travel expenses |
| Relocation | Expenses related to employee relocation |
Additional Guidelines for Determining Domestic vs Foreign Transactions
| Foreign Expense | Domestic Expense | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel | Origin or destination (any leg) outside the U.S. | Origin and destination inside the U.S. | Expense Requests System > Expense Report |
| Goods (Paid for out of pocket) | Used outside the U.S. | Used inside the U.S. | Expense Requests System > Expense Report |
| Services | Provided or consumed outside the U.S. | Provided or consumed inside U.S. |
Expense Requests System > Non-PO Payment – or – iProcurement > Purchase Requsition/PO |
Domestic Expense:
- Travel is completely within the U.S.
- If travel is not involved:
- Expenses for goods purchased for use in the U.S.
- Expenses for services provided or consumed in the U.S.
Foreign Expense:
- First, determine if the expense is during foreign travel – that is, the origination location or the destination location, during any leg of a trip, is outside the U.S.
- If yes, the travel expenses and any other expenses (e.g., honoraria, conference registration, goods and services purchased, regardless of where they are used, provided or consumed) incurred or paid as a result of the trip are considered Foreign Transactions.
- If no (not foreign travel-related), then go on to Step 2.
- Second, determine if goods are used, or services provided or consumed outside the U.S.
- If yes, it is a Foreign Transaction.
- If no, it is a Domestic Transaction.
Guidelines for Use of Categories for Non-SU Payees (Visitor Reimbursement)
Visitor Reimbursements are limited to the following categories regardless of dollar value. When creating a new expense report for Non-SU Payee (Visitor Reimbursement), begin on the General Information screen by choosing the correct category based on the descriptions below. Visitors may be reimbursed for eligible out-of-pocket travel expenses and other eligible expenses.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Athletics Use Only Non-SU |
Used only by the Athletics department for the reimbursement of visitor travel expenses |
| Expenses (Domestic U.S.) Non-SU |
Used to reimburse visitors for travel expenses in which both the origination and destination locations are within the U.S.
|
| Expenses (Foreign) Non-SU |
Used to reimburse visitors for travel expenses where the origination and/or destination locations are outside the U.S.
|
| Human Subjects Non-SU |
To reimburse Non-SU Payees for out-of pocket funds used for incentive payments to human subjects, or for human subject travel expenses |
Guidelines for Use of Non-PO Payment Categories
Non-PO Payments are limited to the following expense categories regardless of dollar value. Some categories allow for a single request for payment to multiple payees.
| Category: Expense Type | Description | Comments | Multiple Payees |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Conference Registrations:
|
Payment to an organization on behalf of faculty, staff, students, and/or visitors to attend a conference or meeting of professional benefit. STAP funds may be used |
Enter all conference attendees and the amount of the payment applicable to each Attach conference agenda to transaction |
-- |
|
Dues and Subscriptions:
|
Payment to an organization or publisher on behalf of faculty, staff, students, and/or visitors to maintain or further develop skills related to the job. These are generally individual subscriptions | Enter all members or subscribers and the amount of the payment applicable to each | -- |
|
Employee Training:
|
Payment to a training provider on behalf of faculty and staff (employees) for professional training and development | Enter employee(s) attending training and the amount of the payment applicable to each | -- |
|
Fees:
|
Legal fees, government fees, insurance premiums, insurance claims, DMV, taxes, utilities, SCP sales, entry fees to tournaments, escheatment fees, and other similar fees / charges not requiring an authorized University representative's signature | Enter employee or non-employee beneficiaries of payment | Yes |
|
Food & Catering:
|
Payments for food and refreshments for Stanford University events, where a signature of agreement is not required by either party | Providing the number of attendees is mandatory | -- |
|
Honoraria:
|
A one-time gratuitous payment made as a gesture of goodwill and in appreciation to speakers or participants in special Stanford events. If a "fee for services" is required, the payment should be requested as a purchase requisition through iProcurement. | -- | Yes |
| House Dues | House dues and other activities payable to a Stanford residential house | -- | Yes |
| Human Subjects | An incentive payment to an individual for participation in a research project, survey, or study |
This category is used to request direct payments of any amount to human subjects. This category must be used for:
|
Yes |
| Postage | Payment made directly to a company or service (e.g., U.S. Postal Service) for stamps, parcel service, or adding funding to postage meters | -- | -- |
| Prizes and Awards | Award payment to non-Stanford affiliates and other organizations for recognition based on competition; Cash awards for contest winners and community partnership awards | -- | Yes |
| Refunds | Return of funds to individuals and external organizations | Can request refunds for SU Payees (faculty, staff, students, etc) and Non-SU Payees | Yes |
|
Relocation:
|
Payments to moving companies and for temporary living expenses |
Entry of Origin and Destination locations required Enter beneficiary of relocation payment (e.g. the employee being relocated) |
-- |
|
Royalties:
|
A payment made to an author, artist, composer or company for each copy of their work that is sold by the University or to an inventor for each article sold under a patent | Can request royalty payments for SU Payees (faculty, staff, students, etc) and Non-SU Payees | Yes |
|
Special Request:
|
This category is for use only when no other category or purchase / payment option (such as iProcurement, PCard, or SmartMart) can be used | Enter employee or non-employee beneficiaries of payment, if appropriate | -- |
| Tuition Grant Program (TGP) and Stanford Tuition Reimbursement Program (STRP) | Benefit related expenses for HR use only | -- | -- |
| Transportation | Direct payments to transportation service providers when a signed agreement is not required | Enter employee or non-employee beneficiaries of payment, if appropriate | -- |
Foreign Expenses
The tracking of foreign expense activity has become critical to Stanford University, as the global reach of the University's activities continues to grow. Data about expenses related to foreign travel, foreign purchases, and activities outside the United States are important for a variety of reasons:
- Statistics regarding Stanford's global presence
- Risk Management
- Compliance
The Expense Requests system has been designed to collect the much-needed data around foreign travel and expenses.
See definition of foreign transaction in Guidelines for Use of Categories for SU Payees.
Exceptions to the Rule:
- All expenses related to a business purpose involving foreign travel, including the purchase of goods and services while traveling (regardless of where they are used or provided), should be included in a foreign expense report.
- Non-PO Payments related to a business purpose involving foreign travel should be considered a foreign expense, even if service was provided or goods used in the U.S.
Expense Reports Foreign Expense Categories
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Expenses (Foreign) |
Used for expense reports that meet these criteria:
|
| Expenses (Foreign) Non-SU Payee |
Used to reimburse visitors for travel expenses in which either or both the origination or destination location (during any leg of a trip) is outside the U.S. |
| Advance (Foreign) | Used to request advance for foreign travel. Travel is foreign when either or both the origination or destination location (any leg) is outside the U.S. |
Foreign Events
All foreign transactions must be associated with a foreign event in the Expense Requests system. It is recommended that a Foreign Event be set up in My Events Preferences prior to entering a transaction related to that event. See How To: Set My Events Preferences.
A Foreign Event consists of an Event Name (created by the user), and Start and End Dates that define the duration of the event. A Foreign Event also consists of one or more activities. You must identify the country, types of activities in the country, and number of faculty, employees, graduate students, and undergrad students involved with each activity. There may be multiple countries in an event, and multiple activities in a country.
Once a foreign event is set up, you can apply it to multiple transactions related to that event (if needed).
FAQs
Q: If a visitor travels from outside the U.S. to Stanford, and is given honoraria for speaking at an event, should the honorarium be requested as a foreign or domestic expense?
A: Foreign expense, because the honorarium was for an activity related to foreign travel (the travel originated outside the U.S.), even though the speaking event was in the U.S.
Q: Is it possible to have a Foreign Event with an activity in the U.S.?
A: Yes. The U.S. should be entered as the Country of Activity when the activity occurs in the U.S., and travel from outside the U.S. was required.
Guidelines for Use of Advance Categories
Advances are limited to the following categories and expense types regardless of dollar value. There is no Miscellaneous category for advances. Advances requests must be for travel or human subject incentive.
| Advance Category | Expense Types | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Advance (Domestic U.S.) | Travel Reimbursement | For domestic travel advances only. Travel is "domestic" when the origin and destination locations (all legs) are within the U.S. |
| Advance (Foreign) | Travel Reimbursement Human Subject Incentive |
For foreign travel advances and advances for human subject incentive when human subject activity is outside the U.S. Travel is "foreign" when the origin or destination location (any leg) is outside the U.S. A request for a foreign advance must be associated with a foreign event. |
| Advance (Human Subject) | Travel Reimbursement Human Subject Incentive |
For funds to be used as human subject incentive (cash or non-cash), or to pay for human subject travel when the human subject activity is in the U.S. Note: If human subject activity is outside the U.S., use the Advance (Foreign) category, and select the Human Subjects Incentive expense type. |
Create New Event
Create a Domestic Event
A domestic event consists of an Event Name (which you create and enter), and Start and End Dates that define the duration of the event.
Create a Foreign Event
Applying an event is mandatory for expense reports for foreign expenses. A foreign event consists of an Event Name (which you create and enter), and Start and End Dates that define the duration of the event. In addition, you must enter event lines that identity the country, types of activities in the country, and number of each type of person involved with each activity. You'll enter one event line for each activity.
Itemize Travel or Business Expenses
This How-To offers instructions on how to itemize travel and business expenses when creating an expense report. The procedures apply to both TCard charges and out-of-pocket expenses. This How-To also covers how to itemize a partially personal TCard charge (specifying the portion of the charge that is business and the portion that is personal).
Itemize Expenses or Itemize a Partially Personal TCard Transaction
- Click Details for the expense line on the Transaction Lines or Travel Card Expenses screen
- Click Itemize
- Change the Itemized Receipt Amount field to the dollar amount of the business portion of the expense
- Enter description in the Remarks
- Click Add Another Row and repeat the process to itemize other business portions of the expense Any remaining amount not put on an itemized line will show as Personal Expenses.
Select Special Payment Type and Delivery Option
Each Supplier / Payee will have a default Payment Method of either Check or Electronic (ACH / Direct Deposit) in the database.
When Check is the default, Special Payment Types (Foreign Draft, Wire Domestic, and Wire Foreign) can be chosen, and additional delivery options are available for checks and foreign drafts.
When Default Payment Method Is Check
- Select Rush Processing (Yes or No) (a fee applies if Yes selected)
- Select Special Payment Type
- None if payment method should remain Check
- Foreign Draft for a draft paid in foreign currency (additional fee applies)
- Wire Domestic for electronic wire transfer to a US bank (additional fee applies)
- Wire Foreign for electronic wire transfer to a foreign bank (additional fee applies)
- Select Delivery Option (for Check or Foreign Draft only)
- US Mail (to Payee Address)
- Campus Will Call (available for Rush Processing only – to University Payments Office, 459 Lagunita Drive, Suite 7, 2nd floor, Tresidder Memorial Union, Stanford, CA 94305)
- Redwood City (RWC) Will Call (available for Rush Processing only – to Redwood City campus, University Hall, 1st floor, Transaction Services U101, 485 Broadway Street, Redwood City, CA 94063)
- Alternate SU Address (to a Stanford address you enter – e.g. your Stanford address if you want to deliver the check yourself, or mail to a payee address other than the one displayed for the payee)
- DAPER (to Athletics)
- Enter Payment Currency, Expense Amount and Expense Currency (for Foreign Draft, and Wire Foreign only)
- Select Payment Currency (currency to be used to pay the payee) (see information icon for help with filling out these fields)
- Enter Expense Amount (total payment amount in Expense Currency) For Non-USD payment currency, convert expense amount to estimated USD when entering Transaction Line.
- Select Expense Currency – currency used to express the Expense Amount
- Select WIRE Account (for Wire Domestic and Wire Foreign for existing payees only)
- If wire account is on file, select the wire account from the dropdown list
- If a new wire account must be set up, select Need New Account Setup and enter the email address for the supplier/payee or the Authorized Agent who can provide the account information Supplier Enablement will use the email to contact the supplier or Authorized Agent for the new account number.
When Default Payment Method Is Electronic
- Select Rush Processing (Yes or No) (a fee applies if Yes selected) When Electronic is the default, the Payment Method cannot be changed to Check, and Special Payment Types and Delivery Options are not available.
Proper Tax Treatment for Human Subject Incentives Paid to Non-Resident Alien
When payments or incentives are made to a non-resident alien, tax withholding rules apply. The human subject or the Department must pay the 30% Federal withholding tax at the time the money is disbursed.
Example 1 – If you want the human subject to absorb the tax payment:
If the payment is $100...
- Disburse $70 to the non-resident alien,
- Process the transaction for $100, and
- The Travel and Reimbursements Department will make a payment of $30 to the IRS.
Example 2 – If you want your Department to pay the tax:
If you want the human subject to receive a total of $100...
- Disburse $100 to the non-resident alien,
- Process the transaction at $142.90
- The additional $42.90 covers the required 30% tax payment (42.90 equals 30% of $142.90)
- The Travel and Reimbursements Department will make a payment of $42.90 to the IRS.
This is the "gross up" formula: desired payment amount + 42.9% of the desired payment amount.
