Person counting money with a notebook on the table" width="730" height="365" />Includes a free downloadable template of an expense reimbursement form and frequently asked questions.
By Paul Peters, Jun 6, 2023Paul Peters is the Chief Editor of Betterteam. He's a former print journalist and small business owner and has written articles for a variety of newspapers, magazines and websites.
Person counting money with a notebook on the table" width="730" height="365" />
An expense reimbursement form is submitted by employees whenever they need to be reimbursed for expenses that they paid for themselves on the company's behalf. Expenses noted on the form may include office supplies, travel, accommodations, etc.
Create your own expense reimbursement form in minutes using this free MS Word template.
Include your full name, employee identification number (if applicable), department, and any other appropriate information that is required in the form so that the recipient will know who to remit the reimbursement to.
Reimbursement forms typically ask for details like the date of purchase, a brief description of what was paid for, and the total. List each item individually if you have more than one.
Sign and date the bottom of the form. By adding your signature, you are certifying that the information you've added to the form is accurate and reflects actual business expenses that you paid for using your own funds.
Attach purchase receipts for each item listed on the form. Your receipts are proof that you did in fact pay for the expenses that you're claiming on the form. A full reimbursement may not be possible without the proper receipts.
Submit the form and receipts to your manager or to the appropriate party, such as the accounting department, as soon as possible. Many companies only accept reimbursement requests within 30 days of the original expense, so always submit your reimbursement expense form right away.
In almost every business, there will be instances where employees need to pay for expenses out of their own pockets. This is especially common for employees who travel to conferences, meetings, and off-site work locations. Having an expense reimbursement form helps to ensure that these employees are not left covering these expenses for themselves.
More importantly, expense reimbursement forms create documentation that strengthens your accounting records and protects against fraud. If any discrepancies are found between the amount reimbursed and the amount actually spent, the form can be used as a point of reference to see what was claimed and what was paid.
Expense reimbursement forms are a standard part of any expense reimbursement policy and they will help you to avoid under or overpaying employees for work-related expenses.
