Transfer Allowance Estimator

This estimator covers the allowances that come with a transfer. It has three parts: the foreign transfer allowance (with its miscellaneous and wardrobe portions), temporary quarters at a foreign post, and other costs such as pets. Each part names the section of the Standardized Regulations it follows, so you can check the rule yourself.

What you enter

• How you'll claim the miscellaneous portion, as a flat amount or itemized with receipts, and whether your family is moving with you.
• Your grade and step, which set the ceiling for an itemized claim.
• Your previous and new post, so the tool can find the climate zones for the wardrobe allowance.
• Your foreign post and dates for temporary quarters. The per diem rate fills in and you can edit it.

What you get

• A maximum claim and an estimate for the miscellaneous portion.
• A wardrobe estimate based on the zones you move between.
• A day-by-day temporary quarters estimate that steps down in 30-day blocks.

Where the numbers come from

• The flat miscellaneous amounts, which are higher with family, and the itemized ceiling of one or two weeks' salary, capped at the GS-13 step 10 rate.
• Foreign Service base salary for your grade and step, before locality pay or allowances.
• Foreign per diem rates for the post (DSSR 925), which change each month.
• Climate zones for foreign posts from DSSR 920, column 4.
• The State Department notice 23 STATE 46708 on transfer allowance changes.
• A "Most recent update" date in the tool shows when the rates it reads were last refreshed.

What it leaves out

It estimates what the rules allow, not what your travel office approves. Extensions to temporary quarters need agency approval, and the tool doesn't predict them. Some allowances can't be paid together (temporary quarters and post allowance, for example), so read the warnings in the tool.

Common questions

Do I need receipts?

Not for the flat miscellaneous amount or the wardrobe allowance. Itemized claims need receipts and cover only allowable expenses.

How long can I claim temporary quarters?

The tool allows up to 90 days on arrival and 30 days before final departure. The rate steps down from 75 percent of per diem for the first 30 days to 65 percent and then 55 percent, and family members receive lower percentages.

Which per diem does it use?

Foreign per diem for the post, not U.S. rates. Temporary quarters in the U.S. are a different allowance.

Related

• Per Diem and Comp Time Calculator
• Foreign Service Salary Calculator
• PCS Planner