PPM Calculator

A Personally Procured Move (PPM) — formerly known as a DITY move — is a PCS option where the service member personally arranges the transportation of household goods (HHG) instead of using a government-contracted mover. In exchange, the government pays a monetary allowance equal to the Government's Constructed Cost (GCC) for the actual weight moved, limited to the authorized PCS weight allowance.

JTR par. 051502 states: "A Service member or, in the event of a Service member's death, the next of kin can personally arrange HHG transportation and NTS." PPM is available for standard PCS, accession/training moves, separation and retirement, TDY en route with PCS, and unit moves / home port changes.

The GCC is what it would have cost the government to move your HHG using a commercial mover. Per JTR par. 051502-E, for domestic shipments the GCC includes line haul (rate × weight × distance), packing and unpacking, line haul factor charges at origin and destination, short-haul charges for shipments ≤800 miles, a fuel surcharge, a PPM Factor Amount, and accessorial charges. For international shipments (Hawaii, territories, OCONUS), GCC uses the "Best Value" Surface Single Factor Rate.

Current standard reimbursement is 100% of GCC. The temporary 130% rate under MAP 42-25(R) applied to moves between May 15 and September 30, 2025, and reverted to 100% for moves commencing after September 30, 2025.

Final settlement is based on the GCC of the actual weight moved, capped at the authorized PCS weight allowance. If your actual moving costs are less than the GCC, you keep the difference (less taxes on the profit). If costs exceed GCC, you absorb the overage.

Per the PPM Checklist & Expense Certification form and JTR par. 051502, documented allowable expenses reduce the taxable portion of the PPM payment. Eligible categories include: rental truck / trailer / PODS and hired moving labor (original rental contract required); rental equipment (hand dollies, furniture pads, moving straps); packing materials (boxes, wrapping paper, bubble wrap, tape); weighing fees; fuel and tolls for the rental vehicle only; parking fees for the rental vehicle; and Storage-in-Transit (SIT) with prior Transportation Office approval, up to 90 days.

Non-allowable expenses include any type of insurance (rental truck CDW, cargo insurance), auto tow dollies/bars/hitches, auto transports, sales tax, general vehicle repairs and maintenance, meals, lodging, and POV gas/tolls already reimbursed as MALT.

Per the Army PPM Packet Turn-In Guide and DTR Part IV Chapter 411, each weight ticket must include the service member's name, rank, last four of SSN, clear "EMPTY" or "FULL" marking, type of vehicle used, date and time of weighing, the weigh station's name and address, and the weighmaster's signature. Each vehicle used in the PPM requires a matching empty and full set of tickets.

Without valid weight certificates (or approval to use constructed weight under JTR par. 051502-D-1), reimbursement is limited to actual allowable expenses up to the GCC per JTR par. 051502-C-5 — usually a significantly lower payment than the full monetary allowance.

The PPM monetary allowance is taxable income reported on a PCS W-2. The taxable amount is the GCC payout minus documented allowable operating expenses; federal income tax is typically withheld at 22% on the taxable portion. The paying travel office issues the PCS W-2 by January 31 of the following year.

Per IRS Topic 455 and Form 3903 Instructions, active-duty service members can deduct unreimbursed moving expenses on IRS Form 3903 if the move was incident to a military order. Deductible items include the cost to pack, crate, and move HHG; storage within a 30-day consecutive period; and transportation and lodging en route (not meals). The deduction goes on Schedule 1 (Form 1040), Line 14.

Mandatory counseling with the local Transportation Office (TO) and written approval on DD Form 2278 are required before starting the move or incurring PPM-specific expenses; skipping counseling can result in limited payment or claim denial. Storage-in-Transit also requires prior TO approval.

The PPM claim must be submitted within 45 days of completing the move. Members may request an Advance Operating Allowance (AOA) of up to 60% of the estimated PPM monetary allowance per JTR par. 051502-G-3 (some branches cap at 50%); the advance is recouped from the final PPM payment.