Note To Self For Our Next PCS Move

A Note to myself - even though much of the available military paperwork (explanations) dealing with moving, AKA PCSing, is straight forward - some of it is difficult to decipherer. 

Transportation counselors and finance offices sometimes 'forget' to mention certain things.  I should know better, really.  I should have researched better and asked more questions before our last PCS.

I say this, why?  Because although I did consider tax implications for our partial DITY, I was unable to find tax related information pertaining to partial DITY moves when I searched for it.  I only found information on full DITY moves.  I should have assumed that the information I did find pertained to both types of moves, but I did not.  I feel like a total moron! 

Yes, if you partial DITY or full DITY, you will get a separate W-2 to report as income.  This one is mailed to you instead of being provided electronically.  Moral here - It is better to know about and wait for the MIL PCS W-2 to come in the mail, than to have to do an addendum to your taxes.  UGH!

Apparently the DITY term is being phased out and DITY moves are now being called Personally Procured Moves. 

Where was I when this term was changed?  I normally pride myself in being updated on term changes, etc, but this one must have passed me by.  I feel so behind the times.  Sigh!

My girlfriend recently did a full DITY PPM and kindly reminded me that doing so put their family into a new income tax bracket!  It doesn't work this way for everyone, but it is something to consider and research when pre-planning your move.  I know that I will certainly keep that in mind the next time we PCS.

Note to self - do a better job of researching and asking questions in the future and be sure to internet search for DITY and PPM next time!  Yes, there will be a next time - because I love to DITY.  Dang it, I mean PPM!

Comments

[She of the Sea]

You're not the only person who has missed that one! One year, I spent a MONTH trying to find someone to tell me where this mysterious W-2 came from. I never did get an answer, but I did finally figure it out myself. If I didn't know better, I would think that someone was trying to make things difficult...

[Cher]

I'm sure I'm not in the right area, I've never seen a board, blog or chat for wives specific to Champva. I don't mean to bother, direct me if you can. Thank You, Cher

[Tressa]

Really? That is something that I never knew. That is good to know. We have never done a DITY move or PPM. Why do they change the names anyway? I like DITY better.

[Veteran Military Wife at Life Lessons of a Military Wife]

Things change faster than we can keep up with them! I am DREADING our move this summer...first time we've had to move overseas with so much junk and two pets..not to mention our two boys, the youngest at that "walking off" age...oh boy...

[NavyWifeAsh]

I'm a new navy wife who has nevery before PSCed. Reading stuff like this scares me wittless!! I'm afraid that when our time comes I am going to have no idea what to do! SCARY Times ahead....

[Tracy]

I am a working real estate agent with an active duty Army husband of almost 20 years service. We have seen it all and experienced most every PCSing issue you can imagine. I use my business to help military families in their moves...both PCSing and Transitioning. If I can answer any questions please feel free to shoot me an email. I spent this last weekend at a relo fair at Fort Leavenworth and had a blast helping our service members and their families get it all together. Moving can be so hard but when you have the resources to plan it out, you can make it better for the entire family. Send your questions to THoyt@prutropical.com and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

[Paul]

You may want to check out DityMovers.com. Lots of good information and they offer discount military moving services from top moving companies.

[Jason]

One other hint. I got screwed doing a ditty move because the moron at the TMO Office did a reimbursement calculation that was set at over 100%. Be very carefull. Make sure the calculation of your approximate amount of reimbursment is correct. I almost broke even after a long drive and back breaking move. Never again. Don't use the calculators on civilian web sites either...not even close....uuuuuug!