Purchases of meals, lodging, and other accommodations, by the federal government or its employees traveling on government business are exempt from the tax provided payment for the meals, lodging, or other accommodations is made directly by the federal government pursuant to an official purchase order (e.g., by direct billing to government or use of government credit card). Only credit card purchases for which the credit of the federal government is bound and billings are sent directly to and paid by the government, are exempt from the tax. For example, I.M.P.A.C. cards which have been identified as a United States government credit card and which can be used only for making purchases for official government purposes may be used to make exempt purchases, provided the credit card bill will be paid directly by the federal government.
If an employee pays for meals and lodgings with personal funds, a personal credit card or a credit card provided by the government, the bill for which is sent directly to the employee, and will be reimbursed by the government or utilizes a travel advance, no exemption is available even though the employee may be traveling pursuant to official government orders or the credit card used has the governmental agency's name embossed thereon.
23 Va. Admin. Code § 10-210-690
Statutory Authority
§§ 58.1-203 and 58.1-609.1(4) of the Code of Virginia.