Finance_Guy

Winklmoosalm--near Reit im Winkl, but go over to the Austria side (to the south). But the German side wasn't bad when there was good snow. Was a great spot when staying at Chiemsea, of course I was really a beginner then, so what do I know. http://www.winklmoosalm.com/

Your are correct HD. After leaving the combat zone or other eligible area, the account becomes dormant and stops earning interest after a period of no longer than 90 days. It's also interesting to note that only the $10,000 ever draws the 10% interest with one rare exception as shown below for missing status. As interest accrues (say $83/month), the second month the account balance would be $10,083.00. But for that month, only the $10,000 draws interest for the next month. If in an extended deployment situation, you can request for any balance over the $10,000 be withdrawn and then invest it elsewhere since it's not doing anything for you. But for those who don't max out to the $10k right away, the interest each month added would also draw interest up until the balance reached $10k. Make sense? TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART II > CHAPTER 53 > § 1035 § 1035. Deposits of savings (b) Interest at a rate prescribed by the President, not to exceed 10 percent a year, will accrue on amounts deposited under this section. However, the maximum amount upon which interest may be paid under this subsection to any member is $10,000, except that such limitation shall not apply to deposits made on or after September 1, 1966, in the case of those members in a missing status during the Vietnam conflict, the Persian Gulf conflict, or a contingency operation. Interest under this subsection shall terminate 90 days after the member’s return to the United States or its possessions.

We asked this question to AF Accounting and Finance Office who ran it up to DFAS. Here's what DFAS replied back with: "The original FY 2010 NDAA did contain a proposal to prorate IDP, HDIP, and Assignment or Special Duty Pay. From the history of the NDAA on-line, it appears that this section (was sec 618 of HR 2647, the FY 2010 NDAA), was still included in the version of the Bill passed by the House, but was removed when the Bill went to Conference with the Senate. Sec 618 is now stop-loss...so appears the proposal to prorate IDP, HDIP, etc., is dead (for now)." So no changes for now. HDIP is already prorated so there's really no change there. But HFP/IDP is paid at $225 for the entire month even if in the area for 1 day. But again, no changes for now.

Let me first say if this is for PCS, the orders do not go to Finance for fund certification and your NCO is blowing you some BS. Those funds are called MILPERS and are a centrally managed allotment that do not affect local O&M funding. If this is O&M it should take no longer than a 24 hour period to get the orders back with the fund certification. Finance must make sure your bank account have available funds. If there are no funds they should return to the unit and/or notify the NCO.

Here's something else--clarifies you don't have to have hardcopy paper non-A. It can be verbal and you merely wright the circumstances on the voucher and your AO would have to approve that you provided proper justification per the JFTR. PDTATAC/tlw 11 August 2009 MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION SUBJECT: UTD for MAP 54-09(E) -- Clarify That a Written Non-Availability Statement Is Not Required 1. SYNOPSIS: Clarifies wording based on USD memorandum dated 29 Aug 1995, and effective 1 October 1995, stating that DOD travelers are not required to obtain paper non-availability statements to justify reimbursement for commercial lodging and per diem. 2. These changes are scheduled to appear in JFTR change number 275. 3. This determination is effective when printed in the JFTR on 1 November 2009. Director, Strategic Planning and Policy Division U1045-C3 C. Travel Authorization/Order or Voucher 1. *************** 2. *************** 3. Paper Non-Availability Statement Not Required (Effective 1 October 1995). Per USD memorandum, dated 29 August 1995, DOD travelers are not required to obtain paper non-availability statements to justify reimbursement for commercial lodging and per diem.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/columnist/block/2009-02-16-stimulus-home-car-buyers_N.htm •New car buyers. Purchasers of new cars and trucks will be allowed to deduct sales or excise taxes. This is an above-the-line deduction, so you don't have to itemize to claim it. The deduction is limited to sales tax on purchases of up to $49,500. The deduction phases out for single taxpayers with adjusted gross income of more than $125,000, and married taxpayers whose AGI exceeds $250,000. The amount you save will depend on your state sales tax rate and the price of your car or truck. If your state imposes a 4% sales tax and your car costs $40,000, the deduction will reduce your adjusted gross income by $1,600, says tax publisher CCH. The deduction is limited to car and truck purchases made between the date the bill becomes law and Dec. 31, says Tom Ochsenschlager, vice president of taxation for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Congress "is trying to get people to buy cars right away," he says. The bill also expands a tax break for people who take public transit to work. The bill allows employees to set aside up to $230 a month in pretax dollars to cover the cost of a bus, train or van pool, up from $120. Employees were already allowed to set aside up to $230 a month for parking. If the employer subsidizes public transportation, employees can receive up to $230 a month without paying taxes on the benefit.

OK folks, here it is. This is what was sent 29 July 09 from the AF policy office (SAF/FMP-AFAFO) to all the MAJCOM Finance offices. So if you run into issues with the local finance office, ask them if they have received this clarification. This one is must have in your travel tool kit. Print it and keep it handy. Begin Quote: ______________ ALCON, Just a reminder that if a member provides documentation showing non-availability of government quarters (contract quarters letter/Non-A slip, or other similar justification), the member is authorized reimbursement for commercial lodging and meals for the entire period of TDY to that location (if commercial lodging is occupied for the entire period and the member submits proper receipts). The JFTR specifies that checking for quarters availability is a one-time requirement. ______________ JFTR U1045 A Note 2: NOTE 2: The member is not required to seek (or check for) GOV'T QTRS when TDY to a U.S. INSTALLATION after non-availability documentation has been initially provided. Checking QTRS availability is a one-time requirement at a TDY U.S. INSTALLATION. (Ex: A member, who is required to check QTRS availability on arrival at a U.S. INSTALLATION, does so and is issued non-availability documentation, cannot be required to re-check later for QTRS availability at that U.S. INSTALLATION during that TDY period there). See par. U1045-C. ______________ Example 1: Member is TDY from 1-10 July. They check with billeting, and no rooms are available and they are issued a contract quarters letter that only covers 2 nights. The member stays off base for the entire period of TDY anyway. The member is reimbursed for commercial quarters and meals for the entire TDY, as the non-availability of government quarters was established upon arrival as required by the JFTR. The number of nights specified is irrelevant. Example 2: Member is TDY from 11-20 July. Orders state that they must check daily for availability of quarters (in direct conflict with the governing authority (JFTR)). The member is issued a non-availability statement for one night, and is told to come back every day to receive a new one. This member stays off base the entire TDY period at that location, and turns in necessary receipts, and the Non-A documentation from that first night only. Member is paid for commercial quarters/meals for the entire TDY period at that location. Example 3: Member is TDY from 21-30 July. They check into billeting and are told that quarters are not available for the first 5 nights, but they are available the last 5 days. Member stays off base for the entire period. Member is reimbursed commercial rates for the entire period. There is no "loophole" where you can be initially given contract quarters/non-availability documentation and at the same time be told that quarters are "available" on a future date. Currently, Interim Change 1 to AFI 34-246 has an exception that states AETC TDY-to-school students can be required to move back on base (in certain circumstances) after initial non-availability documentation has been provided. The JFTR is the governing authority on this issue, and this requirement is invalid for travel pay reimbursement purposes. We are working with our POCs in Services to have this matter addressed/rectified. Of course, travelers are expected to use prudence when spending the government's money on official business, and are *encouraged* to utilize available government quarters in the above examples (as quarters become available). However, they are not *required* to do so, and must be reimbursed in full (not to exceed locality rates) when a properly substantiated claim is presented IAW the JFTR. ______________ End Quote

I would suspect they wait to pay the DITY until after your main HHGs shipment. The main reason is what if you go over your total authorized weight on the main shipment? If you do, then there would be no entitlement on the DITY. Just a thought.

Here's a bit more to clarify "when" the dependents can travel. This answer came directly from the AFPC Assignment Advisor, office symbol DPAPPP. This was to clarify a question since the dependents traveled like 5 months before the TDY was to begin and the issue was what BAH rate is paid. Once dependents travel to the designated location, the day they arrive that location the BAH is to change to that location. So that could be good or bad depending on the rate of BAH. "ITDY - Travel and Transportation Allowances for Dependent Travel are covered under the JFTR para U4600. There are no limitations as to when dependents can travel once a member has been tasked for an ITDY. If the member's ITDY is cancelled after the dependents have moved the AF is obligated to return the dependents to the member's PDS. BAH rate will default to the dependent location. (See Para J. on the ITDY Entitlements message)." J. BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH): BAH CONTINUES TO ACCRUE BASED ON THE MEMBERS PDS UNLESS DEPENDENTS RELOCATE IAW JFTR U4600. IF DEPENDENTS RELOCATE UNDER JFTR U4600, BAH RATE WILL DEFAULT TO THE DEPENDENTS LOCATION.

Along with the JFTR para in the attached is the clarification. Can't get much clearer than that. SYNOPSIS: Clarifies that the GMR and the $3.50 incidental rate do not apply on days that the member/employee is traveling into/out of an AOR. To me, a flight from Incirlik to Iraq/Kuwait/Qatar would be out of EUCOM AOR and into CENTCOM AOR. So you are hitting both points and therefore must not be paid $3.50. MAP137_08_Per_Diem_While_Traveling.doc

If you were in the CENTCOM AOR and fly around to locations that had the same meal rate of $3.50, then those travel days are $3.50-0-that's specifically addressed in the JFTR. However, Incirlik is not in the CENTCOM AOR but rather EUCOM. So anytime you fly out of Incirlik it's a travel day period. You will get the 100% per diem of the next location you are going...if that's IRAQ then you get about $11/day. But most fly out and backs and are not normally in theater at 2400 so in that case they get 100% of Incirlik's rate. Trust me I've posed the same argument that PACAF is trying to tell you and have been told a travel day is a travel day except for those all within the CENTCOM AOR. Have your PACAF finance folks run the scenario up to HQ and AF/A1 to get an interpretation and I'll bet they will find the 100% per diem is correct. I can also bet they cannot show you in the JFTR where you are only due $3.50.

I wanted to add the nugget below since it relates to getting FSA started on deployments. Seems there are home station finance offices that are not clear on the process. Below lays it out--edited for public viewing. Thanks. Word from the desert: Deployed finance office are being asked to notify the servicing FSOs when members have been in the desert for more than 30 days so that the servicing can request the FSA-T starts. AFMAN 65-116, V1, chapter 27, requires the servicing FSO (Home Station) to start the FSA for members on orders for more than 30 days. The Pay system (DJMS-AC) will recycle the FSA Start (6501) until the member has been gone for the required period, then pay retro to the date of departure from the PDS. This eliminates the need for the manual suspense/notification from the desert. Of course, that can’t be done without the member coming into the FSO prior to departure and completing the portion of the DD Form 1561 that can be accomplished at departure. Unfortunately, we are being told that many FSOs are telling members they can’t request or process the transactions upon departure and that they must wait for notification from the desert that the member has been there for more than 30 days. Please ensure that your folks are following the guidance in chapter 27; this will eliminate some unnecessary notification requirements for the desert and get the entitlement started for all members who come into finance before they depart. If the member doesn’t work the FSA start with the homestation finance, then those members will most likely wait until they return from TDY to get their FSA. ...From a reliable source.

I don't really know what an Air Tasking Order tells you to do. But if it's just to fly from point A to point B where both points are outside designated CZs, then I'd say you are not assigned TDY to the airspace. Here's an example from the DoDFMR: Example 1. Member A is assigned as a navigator in an air unit stationed outside the combat zone. On June 4, during the course of a flight between his home base and another base outside the combat zone, the aircraft on which he serves as a navigator flies over a combat zone (given that the airspace is part of the designated combat zone). Member A is not on official temporary duty in the airspace of the combat zone and does not qualify for hostile fire or imminent danger pay as a result of the flight. Accordingly, he is not deemed to have served in a combat zone since he passes through the zone without either being on official duty to the combat zone or qualifying for hostile fire or imminent danger pay. Now if this ATO assigns you to a specific airspace to refuel other birds, then I'd say you qualify. Or other air support cover for ground troops. For most this isn't a big issue since they usually either depart or arrive some other CZ area where they qualify for being on ground in that area.

Web site to open sign-ups for Post-9/11 GI Bill transfers by By Donna Miles http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123155576 American Forces Press Service 6/23/2009 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- It's official. The Defense Department signed off June 22 on policies and procedures servicemembers will use to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to their spouses or children, a Pentagon official said June 23. FULL STORY

The key to getting entitlements started is to make sure you in-process with PERSCO (Air Force). They then load you to DCAPES and then pull a file to upload all the start transaction--this is for IDP/CZTE only. I know a finance dude there at Balad so PM me and I can give you details. You could probably shoot an email and he can hook you up. There's really no forms to fill out for CZTE but you will need to fill out forms for FSA. If your home station is using eFinance, you can do your FSA start online but will need to fax/upload a copy of your orders to the submission.

Not according to the DoDFMR...read my last post again with the quote from the para. If you are just flying passengers (or just flying empty) then aircrew would be no different. Now if you were assigned to do an airdrop, then I'd say yes. But you know it doesn't matter what I think. This could go back and forth forever. I know for a fact there are many who have received CZTE entitlements who were not due them, but the forms were signed by ACs or SQ CCs that stated the member's were due it. 1881s I'm talking about.

Not entirely true. You must be "assigned" to the airspace, i.e. airdrop, AWACs, or refueling etc. Merely transiting the airspace does not qualify. DODFMR vol. 7A provides more details. http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/fmr/07a/07a_44.pdf 440103.C.4 "...The fact that most members are in an official duty status when flying through a designated airspace should not be construed to mean they are assigned to the airspace to perform duty and therefore entitled to the exclusion."

What do you mean by "out of pocket"? Is this a funded PCS move to the new Sq? If so, why not just let TMO handle it all. but if it's due to the carriers they use, then I could maybe see a self-procured move,but if you've not been to TMO yet, how would you know what carriiers they use. Edit to add JFTR notes on the subject: NOTE 1: A member (or next of kin, when appropriate) who personally arranges for HHG transportation (i.e., personally moves the HHG, or arranges directly for the HHG to be moved) is entirely responsible for all issues related to the Status of Force Agreement (SOFA), use of U.S. carriers, import/export processes, tariffs, customs, etc. If Service regulations require, preference also must be given to VISA (Voluntary Inter-modal Sealift Agreement) ship carriers when available. NOTE 2: If a third party (e.g., a new employer) pays for the HHG transportation, no reimbursement is authorized.

Toro, they are listed in the DoDFMR, Vol 7A, Chapter 44 http://www.defenselink.mil/comptroller/fmr/07a/07a_44.pdf Page 4, para 440103, begins the Executive Order declared zones and page 15 shows the areas that qualify based on direct support.

Come on now. If a traveler is having trouble getting paid you don't think 210 days is enough time to resolve it. Many go to IG and Wing CCs after 30 days. Once it hits that level the claim is usually put at the top of the stack. Even if they can't pay the claim right away, there are provisions where an advance could be paid by the local FSO and send the $$ directly to the card. That process is only used in extreme circumstances. So yes, I think "deserve" fits. You can disagree and I'm sure the posters providing input have never let their balance reach the 210 days. So for those that may go over 210 days, they must be blowing off the bill--So they deserve what they get. I'm try to clear up all the rumors and hype about the GTC reaking havoc on travelers credit history. It's that traveler's own fault (among others) if they let it go that far, not the government.

HD, the AFFSC doesn't have their hands in DTS except their own travel. Funny, now all of a sudden DTS don't look all that bad. A few years ago DTS got all the grief. DTS has had it's share of problems in the past with downtime, but has been pretty good lately. Their back up solution is in affect and does work. That solution was used before EIM was fully operational. The base finance scans the documents into PDF/Word format, then drops them out to a shared folder on Ellsworth's server. In theory, if you dropped off a voucher today, it could be sitting on a network drive at the AFFSC the same day for them to work. They call it remote access drive (RAD) that uses Citrix connectivity(??). I think their big mistake was putting EIM under GCSS (AF Portal). There should be no reason for 1 or 2 month delays as someone mentioned. The delays should only be in day increments. It's actually at the 210 day point. After the 120 day point they probably have hit against your paycheck for invol collection (salary offset). If they can collect from your pay by day 210 nothing is sent out negatively on your credit. Below is the real deal info if you want it. So if you can't take care of an outstanding balance in 210 days you deserve a bad mark on your credit history. K. Reporting to Credit Bureaus IBA accounts are not reported to Credit Bureaus unless they are charged-off for nonpayment. IBAs delinquent for $165 for 120 days or less or for 210 consecutive days in any dollar amount will be charged-off and reported to Credit Bureaus if not collected through salary offset. Charged-off accounts will not be re-opened, and the owner of a charged-off account can/will not be issued a new travel card. - If past due > $165 for > 120 days - Salary Offset and DoD Due Process Notice - $80 fee ($25 to DFAS) - If past due < $165 for > 120 days - Charged-off - Reported to Credit Bureau F. Delinquent Accounts IAW DoD instructions, if a cardholder does not pay their IBA bill in full within 61 days of the due date, the contractor bank will automatically suspend the card and the card cannot be used until the delinquent balance is paid. When the account is 75 days past due, a $29 late fee will be applied to the card, and an additional $29 fee applied each cycle thereafter until the delinquent balance is paid. Late fees are the responsibility of the individual unless the government is at fault for the delayed payment. In those cases, late fees may be claimed as reimbursable expenses. Per DoD, it is the cardholder’s responsibility to verify the status of receipt of their travel entitlement and to ensure their IBA is paid on time. Actions on past due IBAs will be taken as follows: - 30 days - No action taken. - 61 days - IBA Suspended. - 75 days - Late Fees Incurred ($29 initially and each billing cycle as long as delinquent). - 90 days - Due Process Notice from contractor bank. - 121 days - Credit revoked (charge card is cancelled) and account sent to Salary Offset (charged to the account is an $80 processing fee consisting of $55 bank fee/$25 DFAS fee). - 210 days - IBA Charged-off (per public law) if not in salary offset. The cardholder will be included in the delinquency statistics until his/her account is paid in full, charged-off, or placed in Salary Offset and three consecutive payments have been applied to the account.

AFFSC Email to Airmen: Information Technology System Anomaly Reduces Productivity at AF Financial Services Center - 11 May 2009 On 1 May 2009, the Air Force Financial Services Center (AFFSC) began experiencing significant downtime with the Enterprise Information Management (EIM) System. The EIM system transfers travel and military pay documents from local Financial Services Offices (FSO) to the AFFSC for processing and payment. The system is currently supporting limited operations at the AFFSC. Financial Services Offices are unable to transmit documents through EIM. To lessen the impact to Airmen, contingency plans have been implemented to ensure critical transactions are processed. Paying our Airmen is our #1 Priority. Financial Services Offices have been provided a list of priority transactions to transmit through the contingency process. Airmen may experience delays in travel payments and some military pay entitlements. Financial Managers at your local FSO and the AFFSC are poised and ready to expedite services for critical payment. Travelers should closely monitor their government travel card accounts and request additional attention if they are approaching 45+ days delinquency. Team members from SAF/XC, SAF/IM, SAF/FM, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Global Combat Support System (GCSS) - Air Force, International Business Machine (IBM), and the AFFSC have been working extensively to stabilize the system. While they are making headway the root cause of the anomaly is not yet determined. Currently there is no estimated get well date. We appreciate your patience while this critical capability is restored.

2 on scraping the stomach feeling. I experienced the low-tide too but we just floated on out and no scrapes luckily. However, I do recommend diving gloves if anyone intends on going out over the reefs. Makes it much easier going over the reefs where there's only a foot or less of water above them. But once past the higher reefs, WOW! Edit for sp. - Scapes?

'3' on Bellows if only to just spend a day there - http://www.bellowsafs.com/ . Hanauma Bay is a must if you are into snorkeling. I took a dive class while there and a place on the leeward side called "Electric Beach" seemed to be a good dive spot. Some sort of electric power or desalination plant is there and pumps out warm water a few hundred yard out and the fish are just all over the place. If you do want to get out to another island, try out the big island and stay at the Kilauea Military Camp (KMC). Website here: http://www.kmc-volcano.com/ . Kind of cool to be camped out a few hundred yards from a dormant crater, at least as long as it stays dormant. We took a helo tour over the active crater. Diamond head hike is a must too--The view at the top is incredible. And if you want to eat at a really nice restaurant with a local flavor, be sure to eat at Sam Choy's on 580 N. Nimitz Highway - http://www.samchoy.com/. The Local-kine Shoyu Poke is an awesome appetizer.

Jughead, correct given the scenario and details provided. But To further clarify, CONUS COLA is not always based on your duty station when you have dependents. Check JFTR para U8016. Members can file waivers to receive the CONUS COLA when a dependent resides separately from the member. Sub para B lists some common reasons when this alternate location would be routinely approved. Note one is for I-TDY (aka Extended Deployment) and another for PME. These approvals would be similar to the BAH waivers members can request. The amount of CONUS COLA you receive is also based on whether you have depedents or not. CONUS COLA is taxable due to the fact it was approved by Congress in the FY 1995 National Defense Authorization Act. Since this was a new "allowance" it's not excluded from income due to the Tax Reform act of 1984 (enacted in 1986). Any allowances already in place by 1986 remained non-taxable, but any new allowances created after that date are taxable even though they are classified an allowance.