Moving is a significant life event, and for military families, it comes with its own set of unique challenges and benefits. One of the most crucial aspects to understand is the entitlements and reimbursements that service members are eligible for. These financial aids can significantly ease the burden of relocating, whether you’re moving within the United States or overseas.

At Military Movers, we specialize in providing comprehensive moving services tailored for military families, and part of that includes helping you navigate the complex landscape of military move entitlements and reimbursements.

In this extensive guide, we’ll delve deep into what these entitlements are, how they work, and how you can maximize them to make your move as smooth and cost-effective as possible. Get ready to find all the information you need to make an informed decision for your next military move.

The Basics of Military Move Entitlements

Understanding the basics of military move entitlements is essential for planning and executing a successful move. These entitlements vary based on the type of move, the service member’s rank, and the distance of the move.

1. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Entitlements

PCS entitlements are benefits provided to service members and their dependents when they are assigned to a new duty station for a period of 20 weeks or more. These entitlements include transportation of household goods, transportation of dependents, and Dislocation Allowance (DLA).

Transportation of household goods, managed by your local personal property office, includes the packing, shipping, and unpacking of your belongings based on your average weight allowances. The government can either arrange for the transportation of your household goods, or you can arrange for the transportation yourself and seek reimbursement from the government.

Transportation of dependents includes the travel expenses of your dependents to the new duty station. Dislocation Allowance (DLA) is a lump sum payment to partially reimburse a service member for the expenses incurred during a PCS move.

2. Temporary Duty (TDY) Entitlements

TDY entitlements are benefits provided to service members when they are temporarily assigned to a location other than their permanent duty station. These entitlements include transportation expenses, per diem, and lodging expenses.

Transportation expenses include the cost of travel to and from the temporary duty location. Per diem is a daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses while at the temporary duty location. Lodging expenses include the cost of accommodations while at the temporary duty location. It is important to keep all receipts and documentation related to your TDY expenses, as you may be required to submit them for reimbursement.

3. Retirement and Separation Entitlements

Retirement and separation entitlements, available to separating service members, are benefits provided when they retire or separate from the military, and these are coordinated through the local personal property office. These entitlements include transportation of household goods, transportation of dependents, and travel allowances.

Transportation of household goods includes the packing, shipping, and unpacking of your belongings. The government can either arrange for the transportation of your household goods, or you can arrange for the transportation yourself and seek reimbursement from the government.

Transportation of dependents includes the travel expenses of your dependents to your home of record or a location of your choice. Travel allowances include the cost of travel for the service member to their home of record or a location of their choice.

4. Special Circumstances Entitlements

Special circumstances entitlements are benefits provided to service members and their dependents in special situations, such as evacuation due to natural disasters or other emergencies.

These TDY entitlements, as outlined by the Defense Travel Management Office, include transportation expenses, per diem, and lodging expenses, along with a TDY weight allowance for unaccompanied or accompanied baggage.

Transportation expenses include the cost of travel to and from the safe haven location. Per diem is a daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses while at the safe haven location. Lodging expenses include the cost of accommodations while at the safe haven location.

It is important to keep all receipts and documentation related to your special circumstances expenses, as you may be required to submit them for reimbursement.

5. Overseas Entitlements

Overseas entitlements are benefits provided to service members and their dependents when they are assigned to a duty station outside the continental United States. These entitlements include Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), and Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP).

Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) is a monthly allowance to help offset the cost of housing while stationed overseas. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a monthly allowance to help offset the higher cost of living in overseas locations.

Foreign Language Proficiency Pay (FLPP) is a monthly bonus paid to service members who are proficient in a foreign language and are assigned to a position requiring foreign language skills.

How to Claim Your Entitlements?

Claiming your entitlements is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and documentation. This section provides a step-by-step guide on how to claim your military move entitlements.

1. Pre-move Planning

Pre-move planning is the first step in claiming your military move entitlements. This involves researching the entitlements you are eligible for, estimating the expenses you are likely to incur, and creating a budget for the move.

Researching the entitlements you are eligible for involves reading the regulations and guidelines related to military moves, consulting with your chain of command, and seeking advice from experts.

Estimating the expenses you are likely to incur involves creating a list of all the expenses related to the move, such as transportation, lodging, and meals, and estimating the cost of each. Creating a budget for the move involves allocating funds for each expense and ensuring that you have sufficient funds to cover the entire move.

2. Required Documentation

Required documentation is the second step in claiming your military move entitlements. This involves gathering all the necessary documents, such as orders, receipts, and travel vouchers, and submitting them for reimbursement.

Gathering all the necessary documents involves keeping track of all the expenses you incur during the move and keeping all the receipts and documentation related to those expenses.

Submitting them for reimbursement involves filling out the necessary forms and submitting them along with the required documentation to the appropriate office for processing. It is important to submit the documentation as soon as possible to ensure timely reimbursement.

3. Filing Procedures

Filing procedures are the third step in claiming your military move entitlements. This involves submitting the required documentation and forms to the appropriate office for processing and following up to ensure timely reimbursement.

Submitting the required documentation and forms involves filling out the necessary forms, attaching the required documentation, and submitting them to the appropriate office for processing. Following up to ensure timely reimbursement involves regularly checking the status of your reimbursement and following up with the appropriate office if there are any delays or issues.

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding common mistakes is crucial for successfully claiming your military move entitlements. Some of the common mistakes to avoid include not keeping all the receipts, not reading the regulations and guidelines, and not seeking advice from experts.

Not keeping all the receipts can result in not being able to claim reimbursement for certain expenses. Not reading the regulations and guidelines can result in not being aware of all the entitlements you are eligible for and how to claim them. Not seeking advice from experts can result in making mistakes in the filing procedures and missing out on certain benefits.

5. Case Studies

Case studies provide real-life examples of service members who have successfully claimed their military move entitlements. These case studies provide valuable insights into the process and offer tips and advice for successfully claiming your entitlements.

One case study involves a service member who was assigned to a new duty station and was eligible for several entitlements, including transportation of household goods, transportation of dependents, and Dislocation Allowance (DLA).

By carefully planning the move, keeping all the receipts, and submitting the required documentation in a timely manner, the service member was able to successfully claim all the entitlements and make the move cost-effective.

Another case study involves a service member who was temporarily assigned to a location other than their permanent duty station and was eligible for transportation expenses, per diem, and lodging expenses.

By keeping all the receipts and documentation related to the move and submitting them for reimbursement, the service member was able to successfully claim all the entitlements and make the move cost-effective.

Understanding Reimbursements

Understanding reimbursements is essential for successfully claiming your military move entitlements. Reimbursements are payments made to service members to cover the expenses incurred during a military move.

1. Personally Procured Moves (PPM)

Personally Procured Moves (PPM), also known as Do-It-Yourself (DITY) moves, are moves where the service member arranges for the transportation of their household goods and seeks reimbursement from the government. PPMs offer more flexibility but require careful planning and documentation.

In a Personally Procured Move (PPM), the service member is responsible for packing, shipping, and unpacking their household goods and should consult their local transportation office for guidance. They are also responsible for keeping all the receipts and documentation related to the move and submitting them for reimbursement.

The monetary allowance for reimbursement is determined by the Defense Travel Management Office and is based on the weight allowance of the household goods and the mileage reimbursement for the distance of the move, and it is important to get the weight of the household goods certified to ensure accurate reimbursement.

2. Government-procured Moves

Government-Procured Moves are moves where the government arranges for the transportation of the service member’s household goods. These moves are generally less flexible but require less planning and documentation on the part of the service member.

In a Government-Procured Move, the government contracts with a moving company to pack, ship, and unpack the service member’s household goods. The service member is not required to keep any receipts or documentation related to the move, as the government directly pays the moving company.

However, it is important to carefully check the inventory list and the condition of the household goods upon delivery to ensure that there are no damages or losses.

3. Storage Reimbursements

Storage reimbursements, coordinated through your local transportation office, are monetary allowances made to service members to cover the cost of storing their household goods during a military move. These reimbursements are generally available for both PPMs and Government-Procured Moves and require careful planning and documentation.

In a PPM, the service member is responsible for arranging for the storage of their household goods and seeking reimbursement from the government. The reimbursement is based on the actual cost of storage, up to a certain limit, and it is important to keep all the receipts and documentation related to the storage and submit them for reimbursement.

In a Government-Procured Move, the government contracts with a storage facility to store the service member’s household goods, and the service member is not required to keep any receipts or documentation related to the storage.

4. Travel and Lodging Reimbursements

Travel and lodging reimbursements are payments made to service members to cover the cost of travel and lodging during a military move. These reimbursements are generally available for both PPMs and Government-Procured Moves and require careful planning and documentation.

In a PPM, the service member is responsible for arranging for their travel and lodging and seeking reimbursement from the government. The reimbursement is based on the actual cost of travel and lodging, up to a certain limit, and it is important to keep all the receipts and documentation related to the travel and lodging and submit them for reimbursement.

In a Government-Procured Move, the government may arrange for the service member’s travel and lodging, and the service member is not required to keep any receipts or documentation related to the travel and lodging.

5. Special Reimbursements

Special reimbursements, authorized by the local personal property office, are allowances made to service members to cover the cost of special expenses incurred during a military move, such as pet transportation or vehicle shipping through a commercial moving company. These reimbursements are generally available for both PPMs and Government-Procured Moves and require careful planning and documentation.

In a PPM, the service member is responsible for arranging for the special expenses and seeking reimbursement from the government. The reimbursement is based on the actual cost of the special expenses, up to a certain limit, and it is important to keep all the receipts and documentation related to the special expenses and submit them for reimbursement.

In a Government-Procured Move, the government may arrange for the special expenses, and the service member is not required to keep any receipts or documentation related to the special expenses.

Read More: The Role of Moving Companies in Military Relocation

Tax Implications of Military Moves

Understanding the tax implications of military moves is essential for financial planning and compliance. This section provides an overview of the taxable and non-taxable reimbursements and how to file taxes for military moves.

1. Taxable and Non-taxable Reimbursements

Some reimbursements received during a military move are taxable, while others are not. It is important to understand which reimbursements are taxable and which are not to ensure compliance with tax laws and avoid any penalties.

Taxable reimbursements include Dislocation Allowance (DLA) and per diem allowances that exceed the government’s standard rate. Non-taxable reimbursements include transportation of household goods, transportation of dependents, and travel allowances. It is important to keep all the receipts and documentation related to the reimbursements, as you may be required to submit them with your tax return.

2. How to File Taxes for Military Moves

Filing taxes for military moves involves reporting the taxable and non-taxable reimbursements received during the move and submitting the required forms and documentation. This requires careful planning and documentation to ensure compliance with tax laws and avoid any penalties.

Reporting the taxable and non-taxable reimbursements involves filling out the necessary forms, such as Form W-2 and Form 3903, and submitting them with your tax return.

Submitting the required forms and documentation involves attaching the required documentation, such as receipts and travel vouchers, and submitting them with your tax return. It is important to consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance with tax laws and avoid any penalties.

3. Deductible Moving Expenses

Deductible moving expenses are expenses incurred during a military move that can be deducted from your taxable income. These expenses include transportation of household goods, transportation of dependents, and travel allowances.

Transportation of household goods includes the packing, shipping, and unpacking of your belongings. Transportation of dependents includes the travel expenses of your dependents to the new duty station.

Travel allowances include the cost of travel for the service member to the new duty station. It is important to keep all the receipts and documentation related to the deductible moving expenses, as you may be required to submit them with your tax return.

4. Special W-2 for Military Moves

Some service members may receive a special W-2 for military moves, which reports the taxable and non-taxable reimbursements received during the move. This special W-2 is separate from the regular W-2 and is used for filing taxes for military moves.

The special W-2 for military moves reports the taxable and non-taxable reimbursements received during the move, such as Dislocation Allowance (DLA), transportation of household goods, and travel allowances. It is important to carefully check the special W-2 for accuracy and consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance with tax laws and avoid any penalties.

5. Tax Tips for Military Families

Filing taxes for military moves can be complicated, and it is important to seek advice from experts to ensure compliance with tax laws and avoid any penalties. Some of the tax tips for military families include consulting with a tax professional, keeping all the receipts and documentation, and taking advantage of tax credits and deductions.

Consulting with a tax professional can help in understanding the tax implications of military moves and ensuring compliance with tax laws. Keeping all the receipts and documentation related to the move can help in claiming reimbursements and deductions. Taking advantage of tax credits and deductions, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit, can help in reducing your tax liability.

Read More: Navigating School Changes During PCS Moves: A Guide for Parents

Why Choose Military Movers for Your Next Move?

At Military Movers, we understand the unique challenges faced by military personnel and their families during a move. Our dedicated moving service is tailored specifically for service members, retirees, and their families, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective, and stress-free relocation experience.

Our Services

• Local and Long-Distance Moving: Whether you’re relocating within your city or across the country, we are equipped to handle it all. Our advanced satellite tracking technology ensures we can track every shipment in real-time.
• Packing and Unpacking Services: Our expert team can handle all the packing and unpacking, ensuring your belongings are safe and secure throughout the move.
• Storage Services: We offer both temporary and permanent storage options, including climate-controlled storage for sensitive items.
• Special Circumstances Moves: We are equipped to handle special circumstances moves, such as evacuation due to natural disasters or other emergencies.

Client Satisfaction

• Transparent Pricing: We operate on a transparent pricing plan, eliminating hidden fees and surprise costs. We strive to offer the most affordable rates in the industry.
• Customer Testimonials: Don’t just take our word for it. Read our customer testimonials to see what our clients think of our service.
• Military Discounts: We are proud to offer active-duty military personnel a discount when shipping a privately owned vehicle (POV) or moving a household.

Beyond Just Military

While we specialize in providing services to military members and their families, we are open to anyone needing professional moving assistance. We are here to ensure your move is as smooth and stress-free as possible, no matter your circumstances.

Conclusion

Understanding military move entitlements and reimbursements is crucial for a smooth and cost-effective relocation. With careful planning, documentation, and the right resources, you can make your military move a stress-free experience. At Military Movers, we are here to assist you every step of the way.

Contact us today at our toll-free number, 866-226-1441, or request a free cost estimate by filling out the quote form available on our website. Allow Military Movers to make your transition as seamless as possible. We’re here for you every step of the way.

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