The auditors noted that employees who are confronted often respond with similar justifications:
“The company owes it to me.”
“It doesn’t really hurt anyone.”
“Everybody does this.”
Are these justifications or rationalization?
1. Why do employees risk questionable expenses?
2. Who is harmed by dishonest expense submissions?
But such unreimbursed expenses can pinch financially, unless you learn IRS rules for deducting work-related costs from your taxable income. Fastidious record keeping and advice from a tax professional can also help mitigate the suffering.