I just got through with a long discussion with my recruiter and contract manager. My contract has the word "bonus" in reference to travel reimbursement. After much discussion about the term bonus we agreed to an independent check outside of my payroll strictly for travel reimbursement. DO NOT LET THEM PUT THE WORD BONUS IN YOUR CHECK. The IRS will see the word bonus, and it will take an act of god to fix it. This is happening way too often. Be firm.