Safety Footwear Reimbursements are Not Taxable Income. CAPS filed several grievances at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently, after members noticed their safety footwear reimbursements came back with additional taxes taken out. Members’ footwear reimbursement at the Department requires the submission of a receipt, and is given for the amount paid, not automatically provided each reimbursement period (i.e. members must first spend money, and must meet or exceed the limit of the Safety Footwear Reimbursement amount from the CAPS MOU to be reimbursed at the maximum amount, $275 every two years). CAPS argued the IRS Fringe Benefit Guide indicates Safety Footwear counts as Safety Equipment, and is therefore excludable. The Department disagreed, citing a State Controller’s Office Policy, and the grievances made their way all the way to CalHR, who sided with CAPS. If you have received a footwear reimbursement this calendar year that was inappropriately taxed, please contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org) to get on the list for your reimbursement to be corrected.
Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Fall on Sundays. Please note that when Observed State Holidays fall on a Sunday, employees are given the following Monday as a holiday with pay, pursuant to CAPS MOU, Section 4.1. So, this season, the Christmas Day holiday will be observed on Monday, December 26, 2022, and the New Year’s Day holiday will be observed on Monday, January 2, 2023.
In Review. Check out what you may have missed from past CAPS Updates here:
November 29, 2022. Vacation/Annual Leave Cap. As a result of the COVID-Recovery Side Letter Agreement from June 9, 2021, the Vacation/Annual Leave CAP for CAPS members was expanded to 832 hours through June 30, 2025. Members’ PLP 2020 balance does not affect this leave cap. At the end of each calendar year, if your balances exceed the cap, your supervisor is supposed to make you create a leave reduction plan for the following year. So, if your balance is expected to exceed 832 hours by the end of the calendar year, now might be a good time to consider taking some vacation time to lower those balances on your own preference. If your department is requesting you to lower your leave balance below 832 hours before 2025, contact CAPS (caps@capsscientists.org).