# 2026 PCS Reimbursements: Per Diem, MALT, DLA and TLE Rates

> A complete breakdown of every 2026 PCS reimbursement — DLA rates, MALT rates, per diem rules, TLE limits, and how the PPM incentive is calculated. Know your numbers before you move.

- Canonical URL: https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/2026-pcs-reimbursements
- Published: 2026-01-04
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Topics: allowances, dla, malt, per-diem, dity
- Publisher: PCS Calculator
- Rates last verified: 2026-08-22 (oldest across the sources below)
- Rate sources:
  - malt: JTR §050203; GSA Bulletin FTR 26-03; PDTATAC MAP-CAP 46-26(I), 30 July 2026
  - perDiem: JTR §050301, Table 5-4 (the member's flat rate) and §050303, Table 5-6 (the dependent percentages); GSA FY2026 standard CONUS rate. Re-checked on gsa.gov 2026-09-09: FY2026 is the fiscal year in force through 30 September, $110 lodging + $68 M&IE = $178, so PER_DIEM_EXPIRES = 2026-09-30 still holds. GSA has now published FY2027 — $113 lodging + $68 M&IE = $181, effective 1 October 2026, stated identically by the rates file GSA published on 1 September, committed at data/official/FY2027_PerDiemRates_Validated090126.xlsx, and by api.gsa.gov/travel/perdiem/v2/rates/conus/lodging/2027, which returned 345 rows where it returned an empty array on 2026-08-27. Both were read on 2026-09-09. The figures here do not move until the day the new rate applies.
  - tle: JTR §0506, Tables 5-13 and 5-17 (08/01/2026 edition, docs/jtr/JTR-pages-2.pdf)
  - dla: PDTATAC, PRIMARY DLA RATES effective 1 January 2026
  - weight: JTR Table 5-37, household goods weight allowances
- Note: Figures come from published DoD Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) rate tables and are estimates. Confirm final entitlements with your installation's Transportation or Finance Office. PCS Calculator is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Department of Defense.

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A PCS move is one of the largest financial events of a military career. Knowing exactly what you're owed — and how each reimbursement is calculated — prevents you from leaving money on the table or being surprised by what finance actually pays. Here's every major 2026 PCS reimbursement, explained in plain terms.

## Dislocation Allowance (DLA)

The [DLA calculator](https://www.pcscalculator.net/calculators/dla) answers for your grade and move type. DLA is a one-time, non-taxable flat payment to help cover incidental moving costs not reimbursed elsewhere. It's based solely on your pay grade and dependency status — you don't submit receipts for it. See the [full 2026 DLA rates table](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/2026-dla-rates-rank-dependency) for every grade. A few highlights:

- E-5 without dependents:
  $2,389.42
- E-5 with dependents:
  $3,548.02
- O-3 without dependents:
  $3,404.11
- O-3 with dependents:
  $4,041.88
- E-7 with dependents:
  $3,551.31

DLA is not paid for first-duty-station moves without dependents, or for separation and retirement moves. It's processed through your Finance Office with your travel voucher and can sometimes be advanced before the move.

## MALT — Mileage Reimbursement

The [PCS per diem calculator](https://www.pcscalculator.net/calculators/per-diem) prices the drive, mileage included. The Monetary Allowance in Lieu of Transportation (MALT) reimburses you for driving a privately owned vehicle (POV) during authorized PCS travel. The rate started 2026 at $0.205 per mile, but DoD issued a mid-year increase to **$0.235 per mile** per authorized vehicle (up to two vehicles), effective for travel performed on or after July 1, 2026 — mirroring a similar mid-year adjustment to the IRS standard mileage rate. Always confirm the current rate with your Finance Office, since these figures are adjusted periodically.

Mileage is calculated using official DoD distance tables — not Google Maps or your odometer. For a 1,000-mile move with two vehicles at the current $0.235/mile rate, that's approximately $470 in MALT. For a 2,500-mile cross-country move, expect roughly $587.50 per vehicle.

MALT is non-taxable and paid as part of your travel voucher. OCONUS moves do not generate MALT for the transoceanic portion — you can't drive across the ocean — but MALT still applies to any land driving portions on either end.

## Per Diem During PCS Travel

The [PCS per diem calculator](https://www.pcscalculator.net/calculators/per-diem) works out the days and the dependent percentages. Per diem covers lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for each authorized travel day. The number of authorized days comes from the official distance between duty stations, and JTR §050205-A sets it: one day for 400 miles or fewer, and past that the distance divided by 350, with one more day when the remainder is 51 miles or more. [PCS travel days explained](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/pcs-travel-days-authorized-travel-time) works through the computation, the situations that change it, and what each day pays.

Key per diem rules for 2026:

- Service member:
  Full daily per diem rate for each travel day
- Dependents age 12 and older:
  75% of the member's per diem rate
- Dependents under age 12:
  50% of the member's per diem rate
- First and last travel days:
  No reduction on a POV move. MALT Plus pays the full flat rate for every authorized travel day (JTR §050301, Table 5-4). The familiar 75% first- and last-day M&IE proration is a Lodging Plus rule (§020310), and it reaches a PCS only on the legs the government moves you by air, train, ship or bus.

OCONUS per diem rates are set per specific location (not by broad region) and are updated monthly by DTMO and the State Department, so a flat "Europe" or "Pacific" number would be misleading — rates for individual cities within the same region can differ by well over $100/day. Always check the current rate for your specific installation using DTMO's official per diem lookup tool before budgeting. See our [OCONUS PCS move guide](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/oconus-pcs-move-guide) for more on how OCONUS per diem works.

## Temporary Lodging Expense (TLE) — CONUS

The [TLE calculator](https://www.pcscalculator.net/calculators/tle) prices the nightly ceiling for your household. TLE reimburses temporary lodging costs when you need to live in a hotel or short-term rental because your permanent housing isn't available — either because you're waiting for the movers at the old duty station, or waiting for your quarters at the new one. Effective November 27, 2024 (JTR MAP 66-24(R)), TLE is authorized for up to **21 days** total for CONUS PCS moves. Those 21 days can be split any way between the old and new duty station at your discretion.

TLE is a reimbursement, not a pre-payment. You pay out of pocket and then file a claim with your Finance Office with receipts. Reimbursement is capped at a percentage of the local per diem rate — if your nightly hotel exceeds the cap, you pay the difference. Book lodging near the per diem rate when possible.

For a detailed breakdown of TLE and its overseas equivalent (TLA), see our [TLE and TLA guide](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/temporary-lodging-expense-tle-tla-explained).

## PPM / DITY Move Incentive

The [PCS move cost calculator](https://www.pcscalculator.net/) estimates the incentive on your own lane, priced on the published 400NG tariff. If you choose to move your own household goods (a Personally Procured Move, or PPM), the government pays you an incentive based on what it would have cost to hire professional movers — the Government Constructed Cost (GCC). As of the current statutory rate, **PPM Incentive = 100% of GCC**. (A temporary 130%-of-GCC incentive was in effect from May 15 through September 30, 2025; it has since reverted to the standard 100% rate.)

The GCC itself is not a simple public formula — it's calculated by your Transportation Office or MilMove using the government's contracted mover rate tables, which vary by weight bracket, route, and season. It's based on the lesser of your actual certified net weight or your authorized weight allowance, whichever is lower. If you're authorized 13,000 lbs but only move 8,000 lbs, the GCC is based on 8,000 lbs.

Of that 100% GCC payment, your documented, substantiated moving expenses (truck rental, fuel, packing supplies, tolls) are reimbursed without withholding. Only the remaining amount — your "profit" above documented expenses — is treated as taxable supplemental wages, with 22% withheld for federal taxes at payment. That means the more expenses you document, the less of your payment gets the 22% haircut. See our [PCS taxes guide](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/pcs-taxes-explained-taxable-vs-non-taxable) for a full breakdown.

For a complete walkthrough of whether a PPM makes financial sense for your move, see [DITY Move vs. Government Move](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/dity-move-vs-government-move).

## Weight Allowances

The government pays to move your household goods up to your authorized weight allowance. This limit is based on pay grade and dependency status. Some examples for 2026:

- E-1 to E-5 without dependents:
  5,000–7,000 lbs
- E-5 with dependents:
  9,000 lbs
- E-7 with dependents:
  13,000 lbs
- O-3 with dependents:
  14,500 lbs

Going over your weight allowance means paying the excess out of pocket. For the full table, every grade's rules and what the excess costs on your lane, see the [weight allowances page](https://www.pcscalculator.net/weight-allowances).

## Pro-Gear

Professional gear — books, instruments, medical equipment, and other job-required items — gets an additional weight allowance on top of your HHG allowance. Service members get up to 2,000 lbs of pro-gear; spouses get up to 500 lbs for their own professional materials. Pro-gear must be documented and approved — it doesn't automatically apply. See our [pro-gear guide](https://www.pcscalculator.net/blog/pro-gear-spouse-pro-gear-pcs) for what qualifies.

## Summary: 2026 PCS Reimbursement Quick Reference

| Reimbursement | 2026 Rate / Amount | Taxable? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DLA | $1,871–$6,386 depending on grade/dependents | No |
| MALT | $0.235/mile per authorized POV (up to 2), effective July 1, 2026 | No |
| Per Diem (member) | Varies by locality; check the DTMO lookup tool for OCONUS rates | No |
| TLE (CONUS) | Up to 21 days; max $290/day | No |
| TLA (OCONUS) | Up to 60 days; location-based rate | No |
| PPM Incentive | 100% of GCC; 22% withheld on the taxable profit portion | Yes |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Are PCS allowances taxable?

DLA, MALT, and travel per diem are non-taxable and do not appear on your W-2. The PPM/DITY incentive payment is taxable — the government withholds approximately 22% federal tax at payment. TLE and TLA are non-taxable when properly claimed with receipts.

### How many vehicles can I claim MALT for?

You can claim MALT for up to two privately owned vehicles (POVs) per PCS move. The rate is $0.235 per mile per authorized vehicle as of July 1, 2026 (up from $0.205/mile earlier in the year), calculated using official DoD distance tables.

### How is the PPM reimbursement calculated?

PPM reimbursement equals 100% of the Government's constructed "Best Value" cost — the GCC — which is what it would have cost the government to move your weight over your distance itself. JTR paragraph 051502-C-2 sets the 100% figure, and DTR 4500.9-R Part IV, Chapter 403 defines the Best Value components it is built from. The GCC is not a fixed public formula; it is determined by your Transportation Office or MilMove from the government's contracted rates for your weight bracket, route, and season.

### What is the maximum TLE reimbursement per day?

The TLE daily maximum is $290 for 2026. TLE is authorized for up to 21 days total for CONUS PCS moves (effective November 27, 2024 per JTR MAP 66-24(R)), and those days can be split any way between your old and new duty station.

## Related Articles

- Dislocation Allowance Rates 2026
- DITY Move vs. Government Move
- PCS Taxes: What Is and Isn't Taxable
- TLE vs TLA
- Weight allowances by rank, and what going over costs