Washington Mileage Reimbursement Rules
Washington rules page clarifying that private-employer reimbursement is generally discretionary while state-travel mileage has an official rate.
Short answer
Washington does not generally require private employers to pay per diem or other expense reimbursements by state law. Washington does separately publish mileage reimbursement rates for state officials and employees traveling on official state business.
At a glance
- Washington L&I explicitly says per diem and other expense reimbursements are generally not required by state law for private employers.
- That same L&I page also notes that reimbursements for fuel, parking, tolls, or other purchases are benefits given at the business's discretion.
- Washington OFM separately publishes a 72.5 cents-per-mile rate for state officials and employees traveling on official state business as of January 1, 2026.
What private employers should know first
Washington is the clearest example in this cluster of why a state page must not default to generic workflow copy. State law generally does not require per diem or other expense reimbursement for private employers, so the page has to say that plainly before talking about forms or calculators.
After that, the practical next step is employer policy. If the company reimburses mileage, the real question becomes what business miles are eligible and what documentation the employer expects.
What Washington officially publishes
Private-employer rule
Washington L&I says expense reimbursement is generally not required by state law, and reimbursements for fuel, parking, tolls, or other purchases are business benefits given at the employer's discretion.
State-employee rate
Washington OFM publishes mileage reimbursement rates for state officials and employees traveling on official state business, including 72.5 cents per mile effective January 1, 2026.
What to put in the policy or claim packet
- A definition of reimbursable business travel and clear commuting exclusions.
- The mileage rate or reimbursement method being used.
- Whether parking and tolls are separate items or rolled into the policy.
- A mileage log and reimbursement form with manager approval.
Official references
Official Washington guidance stating that per diem and expense reimbursement are generally not required by state law.
Lists the privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement rate at 72.5 cents per mile effective January 1, 2026 for state travel.
Common questions
Does Washington require private employers to reimburse mileage?
Not generally under state law. Washington's official labor guidance says per diem and expense reimbursement are usually discretionary unless another agreement or rule changes the result.
Why does the page still mention a mileage rate?
Because Washington separately publishes a state-travel mileage rate for public-business travel. The page should help readers distinguish that official schedule from a private-employer policy question.
Continue with tools
Move from policy guidance into the calculator, rate page, or template that fits the same workflow.