KateHorrell

Helping Military Families Make The Most of Their Money

2021 Military Basic Allowance for Housing Rates


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They’re out!  Go see!  The Department of Defense has announced the 2021 military basic allowance for housing rates any day now! As usual, there will be some big winners and some big losers. (If you are on an iPhone, you may need to open this page using the three dots instead of clicking through from… | Read More…

BAH Rate Protection (or The Grandfather Clause)


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As the Department of Defense (DoD) gets ready to release the 2021 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, this is a perfect time to review BAH rate protection, or “the grandfather clause.” Each year, the DoD does a thorough study of the actual costs to rent a house in each military housing area. They use that… | Read More…

Everything About Military Moving Inconvenience Claims


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Moving has challenges. (If that isn’t the biggest understatement ever.) And just when you think that you’re past the hard part, sometimes your stuff gets delayed. Maybe there was a problem at the warehouse, or your truck driver quit, or the ship broke. But to you, the reason doesn’t really matter, because you just need… | Read More…

Evacuations, Military Entitlements, and Insurance Coverage


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There are TWO hurricanes headed to the Gulf Coast of the United States, and wildfires are burning across much of the west. Military bases are preparing. Many military families are wondering if they should evacuate, and when and if the military or their insurance company will help with expenses if they evacuate from the path… | Read More…

Capital Gains Rules for Military Families


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Note:  This is not professional tax advice. While I have confirmed this information with various professionals, do not take my word for it. Read the tax rules yourself (link at the bottom) and consult with your tax professional to see how the rules apply to you. When you’re in the military, one of the most… | Read More…

From the Mailbag: Dislocation Allowance Frequently Asked Questions


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Ah, dislocation allowance, aka DLA! Such a huge benefit, and such a source of frustration. Here are some of the DLA questions I’ve answered recently. (As always, things change. Talk to your finance folks to find out the exact rules for your branch this week.) Learn more at Everything About Dislocation Allowance. Can I Get Dislocation… | Read More…

Understanding Depreciation Recapture Taxes on Rental Property


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My friend Forrest has shared his article about depreciation recapture: What Military Landlords Should Know About Section 1250 Depreciation.  Sometimes it’s helpful to hear things from two different voices 🙂 You’ve owned a rental property for a few years, and it’s worked out pretty well.  You’ve made a little bit of money most years, and you’re… | Read More…

Favorable Tax Rules for Military When Excluding Capital Gain from Sale of Principal Residence


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I asked my smart friend Paul Allen if he could possibly explain the capital gains exclusion in another way, especially the part about partial exclusions. I’ve always been confused by them. Even though I’ve written about this here, I was still baffled about that part. And Paul came back in a big way. I am… | Read More…

The New, Higher VA Funding Fees for 2020


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Effective 1 January 2020, funding fees are increasing for home loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program. What Is The Funding Fee? The funding fee for home loans backed by a VA guaranty is designed to cover the costs of the program, including administration and default. You pay the… | Read More…

Why Does My Mortgage Payment Change From Year To Year? How Mortgage Escrow Works


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One of the most confusing parts of having a mortgage is understanding how the payment on your fixed rate mortgage can change, usually every single year. In order to understand why your payment changes, you need to know your escrow account works. An escrow account is an account that pays different bills related to the… | Read More…

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Disclaimer

Kate does not represent the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or any government agency. This blog is strictly for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content on this site should not be considered professional financial or legal advice. I may receive compensation through affiliate or advertising relationships from products mentioned on this site. All reviews on this site represent the personal opinions of the author. All references to third party products, rates, and offers may change without notice.