The College Official Occasion Expense Forms (OOEF) policy pertains to all entertainment expenditures. Entertainment expenditures include food and beverages, facility rentals, flowers, invitations, and other similar expenses and must serve a business purpose.
Best Practices
- All entertainment payments require an approved Official Occasion Expense Form.
- The University is exempt from the mixed beverage tax and state sales tax.
- Preapproval is required for purchases made using the procard. Please include "preapproval" in the OOEF document ID field.
- Receipts and invoices must be attached unless the OOEF is for preapproval. For preapproved events, receipts and invoices must be uploaded to the OOEF once received.
- If the Dean hosts an event, special processing is required. Please contact the Dean's Office.
- When possible, a house account (direct bill/ invoice for payment) should be used for vendors.
- Reimbursements for employee companion meals are not permitted unless the donor/distinguished guest has a companion in attendance.
- Tips should not exceed 20% of the subtotal (excluding taxes, and fees).
- See the OOEF policy for guidelines regarding per person limits for your different event types.
- The OOEF should reflect a business reason and benefit to the university. Please see Frequently Asked Questions for examples.
- All vendors for a single event should be included on one OOEF, include explanation in the notes section.
- If the number of guests listed on the receipt differs from the amount listed on the OOEF, please include a note to explain.
- Sales tax is reimbursable for dine in meals only.
The college has compiled a list of the most often asked questions in an effort to provide further guidance for OOEF creators and reviewers.
Contact
GEB-business@austin.utexas.edu
For CBS Clients, please contact your group.
External Resources
Handbook of Business Procedures 9.1.1
CoLA Online OOEF
CoLA OOEF Policy
Last Modified: 19 October, 2021