Starting in January of 2021, the military decided to increase the reimbursement amount for moving expenses from 95 to 100 percent. This means that the government will pay 100 percent of your expenses in the event of a PCS. 

For those who are organized and great at managing money, you can go through the entire move and actually end up with money left over on the other side. 

A PPM calculator can help you do this by helping to calculate the total expenses of your move while factoring in your reimbursements or allowances. 

Our DITY move calculator will provide you with estimates for all branches including: Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

A personally procured move has a lot of moving parts, but the math behind it is simple once you know your numbers. Fill in the fields with the details from your PCS orders and your own move plan, and the calculator handles the rest. It updates as you type, so you can adjust any figure and watch your estimate change right away.

Step 1: Enter your move details

Pay grade. Pick your grade from the list. This sets two things at once: your Dislocation Allowance and your household goods weight allowance. Prior-enlisted officers have their own entries (O-1E, O-2E, O-3E), so use those if they apply to you.

Dependents moving with you. Enter how many dependents are relocating, split by age, and count your spouse as a dependent age 12 or older. Having dependents on your orders moves you to the higher DLA and weight allowance, and each traveler adds to your per diem.

Distance to your new duty station. Enter the mileage between your old and new bases. Once you have your orders, use the official DTOD distance instead of a figure from a maps app, since that's the number finance pays on. This drives your mileage reimbursement, your travel days, and your government payment estimate.

Estimated weight you'll move. Enter how many pounds of household goods you plan to move yourself. The calculator shows your weight allowance right below the field and caps your reimbursement there, so anything over that limit won't add to your payment. A quick way to estimate: figure about 1,500 pounds per furnished room, then add the weight of your large appliances.

Vehicles you'll drive. Choose how many vehicles you're driving to the new station. Mileage is paid per authorized vehicle, so two cars earn more than one. Pick "none" if you're flying.

Authorized travel days. The calculator fills this in for you based on distance, using the standard rule of one day for the first 400 miles and one more for each additional 350. If your orders authorize a different number, type it in. The "reset to auto" link puts the calculated figure back.

Your estimated moving costs. Enter everything you expect to spend to move yourself: truck or trailer rental, fuel, packing supplies, moving help, tolls, and lodging on the road. This is the number that decides how much of your government payment you actually keep, so be realistic and save every receipt.

Estimated government payment (GCC). The calculator estimates this for you from your weight and distance. If your transportation office or move.mil counselor has already given you an official figure, type it in for a sharper result. The "reset to auto" link returns to the estimate.

Step 2: Read your results

The large number at the top is your estimated money in your pocket. It combines two very different kinds of money, and the breakdown below it keeps them separate on purpose.

The PPM incentive is your profit for moving yourself. It starts with the government payment, subtracts what you spend on the move, then subtracts roughly 22 percent for taxes, since this profit counts as taxable income. What's left is yours.

The allowances are the DLA, mileage, and per diem you receive no matter how you move. These are non-taxable, and you collect them whether you do a PPM or let the government ship your goods. That's why they sit in their own section rather than getting mixed in with your profit.

How much can you actually make on a DITY move?

It comes down to three things: your weight allowance, the distance of your move, and how cheaply you can move yourself. Most service members clear somewhere between $2,000 and $8,000 in profit, and long, heavy moves done on a tight budget can run higher. The calculator above gives you a number for your own situation, but the pattern always holds. The more weight you move under your allowance, and the less you spend doing it, the more you keep.

Is my PPM profit taxable?

Yes. Whatever is left of your government payment after your documented moving costs counts as taxable income, and finance withholds a flat 22 percent when they pay you. That withholding comes off the full payment up front, which is why keeping every receipt matters. Active-duty members can still deduct unreimbursed PCS moving costs at tax time on IRS Form 3903, which lowers your taxable profit and often returns part of that withholding as a refund. Your DLA, mileage, and per diem are separate from all of this and stay non-taxable.

What happens if I move more than my weight allowance?

On a PPM, the government pays you only up to your authorized weight, so any pounds over that limit earn nothing extra. The upside is that you won't be billed for the overage the way you would on a government-arranged move, where excess weight becomes a debt. Weigh your loaded and empty vehicle at a certified scale and keep the tickets, since your entire payment is built on that certified weight.

Can I do a partial PPM instead of moving everything myself?

Yes, and plenty of families choose this route. You can let the government ship your heavy furniture and appliances while you personally move the lighter, higher-value items like electronics, tools, and important documents. You still get paid for the portion you move yourself, so it's a lower-effort way to earn part of the profit without loading a 26-foot truck across the country.

Do I get paid before the move or only after?

You can request an advance of up to 60 percent of your estimated payment through your transportation office once your orders are approved. That advance helps cover the truck, fuel, and supplies so you're not fronting the whole move out of your own pocket. The remaining balance is paid after you turn in your completed paperwork and weight tickets at your new duty station.

What paperwork do I need to get reimbursed?

Start with approval from your transportation office before you move a single box, because a PPM without pre-approval usually can't be paid. After that you'll need your PCS orders, certified empty and full weight tickets for each trip, receipts for your moving costs, and your completed travel voucher. File everything promptly once you report in, and keep copies for tax season so you can claim your expenses later.

For more information about military relocation with ARC, schedule a consultation with a relocation specialist today!