TEMPORARY LODGING EXPENSE (TLE) - MOVING ENTITLEMENTS WHEN PCSING
Anyone who has moved understands there are plenty of expenses that come up and seeing as PCS orders wait for no one/ Thus, it can put families in a financial pickle when it’s time to go. Thankfully, service members have access to the temporary lodging expense (TLE) entitlement, which helps cover food and a place to stay, while traveling to your new residence or waiting for it to be ready to live in.
What Is Temporary Lodging Expense?
Your temporary lodging expense is an entitlement determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), that covers the cost of meals and lodging in the Continental United States (CONUS) for service members PCSing.
Here are a few key points about TLE for your move:
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TLE only applies near your old/new Permanent Duty Station (PDS) and can’t be used for house hunting.
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Reimbursement for a CONUS to CONUS PCS is available for a maximum of 21 days.
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Reimbursement is 7 days when moving to an Out of the Continental United States (OCONUS) PDS.
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Reimbursement for your TLE is capped at 21 days for an OCONUS PDS to CONUS PCS.
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You can receive up to $290 daily for your Temporary Lodging Expense entitlement.
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OCONUS lodging may qualify for reimbursement through a Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA).
TLE Entitlement Rates
TLE per diem rates are set each Fiscal Year on October 1 and can vary by location. You can find your entitlement by multiplying the percentage below by the applicable locality lodging and M&IE rates provided by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA):
*Lodging without dependents during a TLE extension period is 100%; however, your per diem remains at 65%. TLE extensions are available when authorized to help prevent financial hardship for the service member. They are provided in 10-day increments with a maximum of 60 total TLE days available. Eligibility for an extension is determined by an official selected by the installation Commander or a Public Health Service contact.
Can You Deduct Temporary Lodging Expenses When Moving?
Yes, you can deduct your military temporary lodging expenses from your taxes; however, the IRS only allows certain costs.
You can’t include meals but some of your lodging is fair game. If you keep a record of your gas and oil, you can deduct these costs too, along with parking fees, tools, and airfare.
The IRS allows a standard mileage rate of 21 cents per mile but keep in mind that if you’re looking to go on a side trip, stay at an expensive hotel, or deviate from the itinerary on the government’s dime, you’re going to run into trouble.
Limitations apply and the deductions are only eligible for getting from your old home to your new one while being fiscally responsible in the process.
Furthermore, if the government provides you with moving services or an allowance that doesn’t count as income, you can’t deduct these either.
Ultimately, MyBaseGuide works hard to deliver military families with the best resources for PCSing; however, we’re not tax experts.
Always consult a licensed tax professional to learn more about what you can deduct and consult Form 3903 before making any financial decisions involving temporary lodging expenses.
Related reads:
The Ultimate Guide to Your PCS Military Move - Tips, Rights, and Prep
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