Report: Some IRS executives had excessive travel expenses

WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- The amount of travel some IRS executives undertake calls into question whether they live in the best location to accomplish their duties, a report said.

The report from the treasury's inspector general for tax administration, released Tuesday, shows a dozen IRS executives traveled for more than 200 days in fiscal years 2011 and 2012, with at least two traveling for more than 250 days.

The top 15 travelers among executives racked up more than $1 million in travel expenses each of those years, which totaled about a quarter of all travel expenses for all executives.

"The cost and frequency of travel for some executives indicate that they may not live in the best location to economically accomplish their roles and responsibilities," the report said. "While the Federal Travel Regulation does not set any total monetary or duration limits on temporary duty travel, the IRS should consider a temporary or permanent change of station as an alternative to long-term temporary duty travel."

The report determined overall travel among executives in the IRS doesn't appear to be excessive.

"The chief financial officer should require an analysis that compares the costs and benefits of a long-term taxable travel situation to that of a temporary or permanent change of station and demonstrates that the more favorable alternative was selected," the report concluded. "The analysis should be in writing and prepared before placing the employee on long-term travel or authorizing a temporary or permanent change of station."