@avtomlin , agreeing with @DoninGA answer, just wanted to point out that if your employer gives you an amount to defray the cost of travel, that amount is to be treated as income and thus subject to taxes - should show on your W-2. The only way around that is if the employer has an accountable expense re-imbursement policy in place, where you have to substantiate ( expense report ) expenses and the employer reimburses you based on some formula---- this is because the employer than can claim this as part of business expense and the reimbursed amount does not show up on your W-2
