What happens to Basic Allowance for Housing during PCS moves? Basic Allowance for Housing may be a large part of your total military compensation. And BAH is tied to the service member’s duty station. But what happen when you are in between duty stations? Whether it’s a few days of travel time, leave en route,… | Read More…
Tax Deductible Moving Expenses for Military
PCS moves are expensive. Even with all the allowances, you’ll sometimes have some out-of-pocket expenses, especially if you have pets. Thankfully, unreimbursed moving expenses can be deducted from your income taxes, and they’re a most valuable type of deduction. Disclaimer: No article can address every specific tax situation. Do not make any decisions based solely… | Read More…
Military Dislocation Allowance and 2023 Rates
Dislocation Allowance (DLA) is a military allowance designed to partially reimburse service members for some of the costs incurred when relocating a household. It is authorized for PCS moves, when ordered to move into military housing for the government’s convenience, and when evacuated from a duty station. The Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), Chapter 5, Section… | Read More…
Military Personally Procured Moves (aka DITY Moves)
Whether by choice or by no-other-choice, many military families choose a Personally Procured Move (PPM) when they PCS. These are commonly called DITY or Do It Yourself move. I see and hear a lot of myths and misinformation about PPMs. Generally, the misinformation I hear about PPM says something like, “You’ll make so much money! We… | Read More…
The Simplest Reason Why Renting Will Save You Money
“Renting is too expensive, so I’m going to buy a house.” I hear some variation on this statement at least once a week. This perspective worries me, because further discussion usually uncovers some misconceptions about the cost of owning a home. Airman Mildollar, the author of the currently-on-hiatus-but-hopefully-coming-back-one-day Military Dollar blog, introduced me to a… | Read More…
Using A Government Travel Charge Card for a PCS Move
Ah, the Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), often called the Government Travel Card (GTC). It’s an interesting tool. It should be so helpful, but sometimes it feels like it is not helpful, and people often hate it. What is a GTC and how does it work? And especially, how does it work for Permanent Change… | Read More…
Everything About Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA)
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is an allowance to offset the cost of staying in temporary lodging when moving overseas. When a military person or family is executing Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, there are two similar allowances for temporary lodging after moving out of your house, and before moving into a new house. The… | Read More…
What Is A Certificate of Non-Availability?
Planning to use off-base lodging for reimbursable temporary lodging? Or have no other choice? A Certificate of Non-Availability (CNA) will ensure that you get as much reimbursement as possible. What is Temporary Lodging? During a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move, military members are (almost always) authorized some sort of temporary lodging. If the temporary… | Read More…
Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) For PCS Moves
Get your free Temporary Lodging Expense worksheet here. When executing Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, a military member may be authorized allowances for temporary lodging. There are two similar allowances that help defray the cost of staying in temporary lodging after moving out of your house, and before moving into a new house. The… | Read More…
Moving Essentials To Buy Before Your Next PCS
Moving is hard work. Whether you’re moving yourself or having someone else move you, there are a couple of tricks to make the move easier. Well, actually, there are many tricks (you can see pages and pages of them in Printables to Make Your PCS Move Smooth and Organized). But if that is overwhelming, there are… | Read More…