Payment Types
Specify direct payments, reimbursements, lump-sum allowances, and vendor-paid services with dollar limits or formulas.
A written agreement reduces disputes by defining eligible expenses, timelines, and repayment terms while clarifying tax and reporting obligations under federal rules.
Typical participants include HR or mobility teams, the relocating employee, relocation vendors, and payroll or finance approvers.
Each participant must understand their role: HR manages program rules, payroll handles taxation, and the employee provides receipts and signatures for reimbursement.
HR managers review relocation eligibility, approve expense categories, set repayment schedules for voluntary separations, and coordinate with payroll to ensure correct tax treatment and reporting.
The employee confirms acceptance of relocation terms, agrees to repayment provisions if they voluntarily leave, provides required receipts, and signs to authorize any payroll adjustments or reimbursements.
Specify direct payments, reimbursements, lump-sum allowances, and vendor-paid services with dollar limits or formulas.
List eligible categories (moving, temporary housing, travel, shipment) and any caps or exclusions.
Define prorated repayment if employment ends within a specified period and conditions that trigger repayment.
State required receipts, timing for submission, and formats accepted for reimbursement.
Describe whether payments are taxable, subject to withholding, or treated as reportable income under IRS rules.
Identify any third-party relocation vendor, services to be provided, and vendor billing arrangements.
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| Authentication | Email link plus optional SMS code for higher assurance |
| Conditional Fields | Show repayment schedule only if voluntary termination clause selected |
| Audit Trail | Enable timestamp, IP, and signer email capture for each signature |
| Delivery | Auto-route signed copy to HR, payroll, and employee via secure PDF |
Ensure the eSignature platform supports required integrations, secure formats, and signer authentication options before eSubmission.
Typically within 60 days of the service or move completion
Payroll processes within one regular pay cycle after approval
Repayment prorated over the first 12 months if employment ends early
Keep copies for at least three years for tax substantiation
Annual policy review recommended to reflect tax or regulatory changes
Agreement drafted and presented for employee acceptance.
HR confirms eligibility and funding limits are allocated.
Employee completes move and submits required receipts.
Finance or payroll issues payment and records transaction.
| Criteria | Relocation Support Agreement | Relocation Assistance Letter |
|---|---|---|
| Formality | binding contract | informational, not always binding |
| Signatures Required | yes, typically | sometimes optional |
| Repayment Terms | explicit, enforceable | rarely specified |
| Common Use | paid moves, tax handling | guidance and options only |
| signNow | DocuSign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | HelloSign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $8/user/mo | $15/user/mo | $14/user/mo | $19/user/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Free Trial | Yes, 7-day free trial | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor | Varies by vendor |
| Bulk Send | Yes (Business Premium) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Audit Trail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HIPAA Compliant | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Envelope Cap | No envelope cap | 100 envelopes/user/year | Varies by plan | Varies by plan | Varies by plan |
Optica used digital agreement templates to reduce back-and-forth on policy specifics.
A small real estate firm moved to eSigned agreements to close relocation packages remotely.