Which Statement Is NOT True About Receipts?
The statement that is NOT true is 'You must supply receipts for all trip expenses you claimed.' Under DoD/DTS travel policy, receipts are required only for individual expenses of $75 or more and for all lodging, not for every expense.
The answer
In DoD Defense Travel System (DTS) policy, the false statement is: 'You must supply receipts for all trip expenses you claimed.'
This is not true because the rule is threshold-based, not blanket. You must provide receipts for:
- All lodging expenses, regardless of dollar amount, and
- Any individual expense of $75 or more.
Expenses under $75 (other than lodging) generally do not require a receipt. So the claim that receipts are needed for all expenses overstates the requirement, making it the statement that is not true.
Why the other statements are true
The true statements that typically appear alongside it include:
- 'A receipt must show what was purchased, the date, and the amount paid.' True — a valid receipt identifies the vendor, the date, the item or service, and the amount, and shows that payment was made.
- 'You must provide a receipt for all lodging expenses.' True — lodging always requires a receipt no matter the cost.
- 'You must provide a receipt for any individual expense of $75 or more.' True — this is the core threshold rule.
- 'A missing receipt statement can be used if a required receipt is lost.' True — if you cannot obtain a required receipt, you may submit a signed statement explaining the circumstances.
Because each of these matches policy, the only statement that contradicts the rules is the 'receipts for all expenses' claim.
The receipt rules at a glance
The logic is simple once the thresholds are clear: lodging = always; $75 or more = always; under $75 (non-lodging) = not required. A valid receipt must document the vendor, date, description, amount, and proof of payment. Note that your local command may impose stricter rules — some organizations require receipts for smaller amounts — but the DoD baseline is the $75 threshold.
The bigger picture
Receipt requirements exist to substantiate that claimed expenses were actually incurred and are reimbursable, protecting both the traveler and the government against improper payments. The $75 threshold balances accountability against the impracticality of collecting a slip for every small purchase. If you lose a required receipt, do not simply omit it — submit a missing receipt statement describing what was purchased, when, and why the receipt is unavailable, so your claim can still be processed. Understanding that receipts are threshold-based, not universal, is exactly what this quiz question tests.
| Lodging (any amount) | Yes | All lodging expenses require a receipt regardless of cost. |
| Any single expense $75 or more | Yes | The core DTS threshold — receipts required at $75 and above. |
| Non-lodging expense under $75 | No | Generally no receipt required, unless your command requires stricter rules. |
| ALL trip expenses claimed | Not true | This overstates policy — receipts are threshold-based, not required for every expense. |
Frequently asked
When is a receipt required in DTS?
A receipt is required in DTS for all lodging expenses and for any individual expense of $75 or more. Expenses under $75, other than lodging, generally do not require a receipt unless your local command sets stricter rules.
What makes a travel receipt valid?
A valid receipt identifies the vendor, shows the date of the transaction, describes what was purchased, states the amount, and indicates that payment was made. It must clearly substantiate the claimed expense.
Do you need receipts for expenses under $75?
No, under DoD/DTS baseline policy you generally do not need receipts for individual non-lodging expenses under $75. Lodging is the exception and always requires a receipt. Some commands may impose stricter local requirements.
Are lodging receipts always required?
Yes. Lodging receipts are required for every lodging expense regardless of the amount, even if the nightly cost is below the $75 threshold that applies to other expenses.
What if you lose a required travel receipt?
If you cannot obtain a required receipt, you may submit a signed missing receipt statement explaining what was purchased, the date, the amount, and why the receipt is unavailable. This allows the claim to be processed without the original receipt.