Accounting-Moving Expenses

Prior to utilizing funds for relocation expenses, the School of Music must receive approval by the Dean’s Office to distribute the funds..  This approval serves as a notification that you will be utilizing your start up funds for relocation. As part of this process, a Relocation Authorization Letter needs to be submitted to the Director of the School of Music for signature, and then sent on to the L&S Dean’s Office for their review, and approval.  You can contact Gary Barnes in the business office at: gary.barnes@wisc.edu,  to begin this process. 

Once approved, you will have three options to access your funds:

1.You may request a lump sum stipend, or Employee Relocation Award, for up to $5,500 of your flexible funds.  Please note that if you choose this option, these funds will be considered taxable income, and therefore reportable on your W4 at the end of the calendar year.   These funds are taxed at a higher rate than your regular salary.

2.You may also pay the moving company, or carrier, directly.  To begin that process, you will need to obtain a price quote from the carrier, especially if  the total amount is greater than $5,000. You will also need to obtain a copy of the carrier's W-9 form, http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw9.pdf.  Once you have obtained both documents, please forward them to the School of Music Business Office (gary.barnes@wisc.edu). The business office will process the payment and the carrier will be paid directly.   

3. You may also choose to move yourself.  If you choose this option, you must provide a copy of the itemized Bill of Lading and all paid receipts to the business office for reimbursement.

Finally, even though you may choose any moving company you wish, the UW Madison does have several vendors with substantially reduced rates, which include: Piepho Moving & Storage,  elizabeth.piepho@piepho.com.  Armstrong/ Mayflower,  UW@GoArmstrong.com.  United Van Lines,  wiscomoving@gmail.com.

IMPORTANT: If you choose a moving vendor other than the UW Madison’s list of recommended vendors, you will need to acquire a total of 3 price estimates from individual vendors with at least one being a UW Contract Vendor.  Payment level will be limited to the lowest of the 3 vendors, and you will be responsible for covering any of the remaining costs. 

 A full explanation of relocation policies is located at the following UW Business Services website:   https://businessservices.wisc.edu/documents/323-relocation/

Please refer to the Relocation Expense Chart below for items that can be reimbursed as part of your moving expenses.

Relocation Expenses Chart

Reimbursable Moving Expenses

Non-Reimbursable Moving Expenses  (The stipend may be used to offset these expenses.)

Household Goods and personal Effects such as: •       Furniture •       Cabinet/Closet contents •       Clothing •       Musical instruments •       Household appliances •       Food Direct Costs Associated with the Relocation of Household Goods (additional fees charged by the moving company on the bill of lading): •       Line Haul •       Fuel/Insurance Surcharge •       Seasonal Rate Adjustment •       Long Carry •       Stairs •       Elevator •       Piano/Organ Moving •       Extra Labor •       Appliance Service •       One-way mileage cost at the present standard rate of moving one vehicle to the new residence using the most direct route* •       Purchase of containers/packing materials •       Ferry charges/Tolls •       Packing/Unpacking *Mileage claim may not exceed mileage shown on the bill of lading

•       Property for resale •       Property not owned by the family •       Farm equipment •       Livestock •       Trailers •       Boats over 14 feet •       Mileage or hauling/towing of additional vehicles (motorcycles, trucks, recreational vehicles and automobiles) •       Building materials •       Items used in a personal business •       Items that may be found in a household, but which the carrier cannot or will not allow to be placed in the moving van (i.e. pets, flammable items, caustic aerosols, spoilable items, plants, jewelry, frozen foods, etc.) •       Swing sets, jungle gyms and other similar outdoor items •       Exclusive Use/Space Reservation/Expedited Service Charges •       Valuation/Additional insurance •       Extra pickup of household goods •       Storage •       Warehouse handling •       Weight additives for transporting any bulky articles •       Travel costs en route (meals, lodging, tolls, etc.) •       Overtime loading/unloading as required by the customer •       Weight and bulky article charges •       Third party services •       Storage for the convenience of the employee •       Other costs associated with the move