Enter your shipment weight, move distance, and military status above, then click Calculate Payout to see your estimated PPM reimbursement.
Frequently Asked Questions
A DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move, now officially called a Personally Procured Move (PPM), is a military relocation option where service members arrange and execute their own household goods shipment instead of using a government-contracted moving company. The military reimburses the service member up to 95% of what it would have cost the government to hire professional movers. The difference between the reimbursement and your actual moving expenses is your profit to keep, though it is taxable income.
DITY/PPM move payments are calculated as 95% of the Government Constructed Cost (GCC), which is what the military would have paid a contracted moving company. The exact amount depends on the weight of your shipment, the distance of the move, and current contracted rates. For example, a 5,000 lb move over 1,000 miles might pay approximately $4,000-6,000, though actual rates vary. Many service members profit $1,000-5,000 or more by moving themselves, especially on longer moves.
Weight allowances are set by the Joint Travel Regulations based on pay grade and dependent status. E-1 to E-4 without dependents get 5,000 lbs (8,000 with dependents). E-5 to E-6 get 7,000/11,000 lbs. E-7 to E-9 get 11,000/13,000 lbs. O-1 to O-3 get 10,000/12,000 lbs. O-4 to O-6 get 14,000/17,000 lbs. O-7 and above get 18,000 lbs regardless of dependent status. You are responsible for any costs associated with shipping weight above your allowance.
Yes, any PPM incentive payment that exceeds your actual, documented moving expenses is considered taxable income by the IRS. For example, if you receive $5,000 from your PPM and spend $3,000 on truck rental, fuel, and packing supplies, the $2,000 difference is taxable. You will receive a W-2 for the total payment and can deduct qualifying expenses when filing your taxes. Keep all receipts for truck rental, fuel, tolls, packing materials, and storage.
You must obtain certified weight tickets at a public scale (CAT scale, truck stop, or recycling center). Weigh the vehicle loaded with your household goods (full weight) and then again after unloading (empty/tare weight). The difference is your net shipment weight. You need both a full and empty weight ticket for reimbursement — DFAS will not process your claim without them. Many truck rental companies can direct you to nearby certified scales. Keep the original tickets as documentation.
Yes, you can do a partial PPM where you move some items yourself and have the government move the rest through a Household Goods (HHG) shipment. This is common when service members want to move high-value or time-sensitive items themselves while having heavier furniture shipped commercially. Your PPM reimbursement is based only on the weight you transport yourself. The combined weight of your PPM and HHG shipments cannot exceed your total weight allowance.
Qualifying expenses for tax deduction purposes include truck or trailer rental, fuel costs, tolls, packing materials (boxes, tape, bubble wrap), temporary storage (up to 90 days), insurance for the move, weight ticket fees, and meals during travel (at the per diem rate or actual cost). You cannot deduct costs for items you would have purchased anyway, such as permanent storage or home improvements at your new location. Document everything with receipts and keep a detailed moving expense log.
You must file your PPM claim with the finance office within 45 days of your report date at your new duty station. However, it is strongly recommended to file within the first week to avoid delays. You will need your PCS orders, certified weight tickets (full and empty), receipts for all moving expenses, and a completed DD Form 2278 (or equivalent service-specific form). Processing typically takes 2-4 weeks after submission, with payment deposited directly to your bank account.
There is no practical difference — PPM (Personally Procured Move) is simply the new official name for what was previously called a DITY (Do-It-Yourself) move. The name was changed in 2018 to better reflect that the program is a procurement of moving services by the individual service member. The program rules, benefits, and reimbursement structure remain the same under both names. Many service members and military communities still use the term DITY colloquially.
Yes, portable moving containers (such as PODS, 1-800-PACK-RAT, or U-Pack) are an approved method for PPM moves. You load the container, the company transports it, and you unload at your destination. This option can be more cost-effective than renting a truck for long-distance moves since you avoid fuel costs and driving stress. You still need certified weight tickets — most container companies can provide documentation of your shipment weight for your PPM claim.
What Is the DITY Move Calculator?
The DITY move calculator is a free tool that estimates how much you can earn by moving your own household goods during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Military members are entitled to a Personally Procured Move (PPM) — the updated name for what most people still call a DITY move — and the government will pay you 95% of what it would have spent on a contracted moving company.
That 95% figure comes directly from the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), and it's calculated against the Government Constructed Cost (GCC). The GCC uses your shipment weight, move distance, and current Government Bill of Lading (GBL) rates to determine what a commercial mover would charge for the same job. Our calculator applies the same framework so you get a realistic estimate before you decide how to execute your move.
Any active duty, Reserve, or National Guard member with valid PCS orders can do a PPM. The program is administered by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), and your Transportation Management Office (TMO) at your installation will walk you through the paperwork once you decide to proceed.
Not sure if a PPM makes financial sense for your move? Use the calculator above — plug in your estimated weight, move distance, and pay grade, and you'll see a side-by-side breakdown of your expected payout versus estimated out-of-pocket costs. Learn more about the team behind this tool on our About page.
How to Use & How We Calculate
DITY / PPM Move Guide: What You Need to Know
What Counts as a PPM Move?
A PPM covers the shipment of your authorized household goods — furniture, appliances, clothing, personal effects — from one duty station to another under valid PCS orders. You can use a rented truck, a portable container service (like PODS or U-Pack), or your own vehicle and trailer. The key requirement is that you, not a government contractor, physically arrange and execute the move. You don't have to drive the truck yourself; you can hire day labor to help load, and the move still qualifies. What makes it a PPM is who contracts for the service.
High-value items like jewelry, firearms, and coin collections can be included in your PPM, but they're subject to declared value rules and may not be fully covered if damaged. The Defense Personal Property System (DPS) portal is where you formally elect a PPM and schedule your move counseling with the TMO.
CONUS vs. OCONUS: What Changes?
A CONUS move stays within the 48 contiguous states. OCONUS includes Hawaii, Alaska, all U.S. territories, and any foreign country posting. The reimbursement math changes for OCONUS because the government's contracted costs are substantially higher — overseas moves involve port loading, container shipping, customs inspection, and last-mile delivery at the foreign installation.
The 1.35× OCONUS modifier in this calculator reflects the premium baked into government contract rates. In practice, doing a true DITY to Germany or Japan is uncommon because the logistics are complex — but partial PPMs to Hawaii or Alaska are quite popular and can pay well, especially for heavier shipments. Check with your TMO before committing, as OCONUS PPM rules have additional documentation requirements.
How Shipment Weight Is Measured
Your PPM claim hinges entirely on certified weight tickets. You need two: one "full" ticket with the loaded vehicle, and one "empty" or "tare" ticket with the empty vehicle. The net weight (full minus empty) is your official shipment weight. Get your tare weight first — before loading anything — then your full weight after the truck is packed and ready to go. Many service members make the mistake of getting the tare weight after they've returned the truck and the rental company has already removed equipment. By then it's too late.
CAT scales at truck stops are the most accessible option and cost $10–$15 per weigh. Some installations have on-post scales that are free. Your weight tickets must show the date, location, vehicle identification, and a certifying signature. Photocopies are not accepted — DFAS requires the originals or official certified copies.
Tax Implications of PPM Payments
The IRS treats the PPM incentive payment as income. Specifically, the amount you receive above your documented moving expenses is taxable. If your PPM payout is $8,000 and you spent $3,200 on truck rental, fuel, tolls, and packing materials, you'll owe income tax on the $4,800 difference. DFAS issues a W-2 for the full payment amount. You report your deductible moving expenses on IRS Form 3903 if you're eligible. Most active duty members qualify for the moving expense deduction under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act provisions, but check with a military legal assistance attorney or a tax professional familiar with military filings before filing. Keep every receipt — gas, tolls, lodging en route, packing tape.
Who Should Use This Calculator?
This tool is built for anyone facing a military PCS who wants to know whether a PPM makes financial sense before committing to the paperwork.
Junior enlisted members on their first PCS often don't realize how much a DITY move can pay. An E-3 with minimal furniture might only ship 3,000–4,000 lbs, but on a 1,000-mile move that can still generate $1,500–$2,500 in profit. Run the numbers before assuming a government move is the easier choice.
NCOs and senior enlisted with families benefit most from this calculator. A high weight allowance (11,000–13,000 lbs for E-5 through E-9 with dependents) combined with a long move can produce $6,000–$10,000 or more in PPM income. That's enough to cover moving costs and pocket a meaningful sum on top — read our guide on maximizing your weight allowance to squeeze every dollar out of your authorized limit.
Officers evaluating a split move can use this calculator to compare the PPM payout on the portion they move themselves versus the cost of shipping everything through the government. A partial DITY move — PPM for some goods, HHG shipment for the rest — is often the best financial outcome for field-grade officers with large households.
Military spouses managing PCS logistics who want to understand the numbers before the service member returns from the field will find this tool straightforward. No military jargon required — enter your best estimates for weight and distance, select the pay grade, and you'll get a clear breakdown in under a minute.
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