1. What is a TLA/TLF?

A TLA/TLF is a usually an apartment or house off base that accepts personnel to live for a short time, usually between 10 days and 90 days. The term TLA actually means Temporary Lodging Allowance. TLA is the common local term for this type of accommodation.

2. Am I eligible to stay in a TLA/TLF?

If you are a U.S. military personnel, GS civilian, or a contractor in a SOFA status, then yes you are eligible.

3. I get TQSA, can I still stay in a TLA/TLF?

Yes, TLA is actually an authorization of your TQSA.

4. Do I need a letter of non-availability?

If you desire to stay off-base, call us and we will figure out how to make it work. U.S. military members will need a letter of non-availability in order to stay off base in a TLA/TLF at the full Per Diem rate. Otherwise, without a letter of non-availability you will only be reimbursed the on-base rate which may limit your selection of possible TLA rentals. Some GS personnel will not be required to have this letter. Contractors do not need a letter.

5. I am on TDY, what is my rate for lodging in a TLA?

Personnel on TDY have their own rates that are dictated by your unit funding. Please refer to your respective unit representative for this rate.

6. How does a TLA/TLF work?

A TLA is very similar to an Airbnb rental. The only difference is that the rates are not set by high and low seasonal demand. The rates are dictated by The Department of State (DoS) which prescribes rates for foreign overseas locations and updates these rates at the beginning of every month. It is literally a temporary furnished place to stay that makes the transition from living out of a suitcase feel like you are living in a home. Not all TLA rentals offer the same services and amenities.

7. How much does a TLA/TLF cost?

A TLA normally rents out for your lodging allowance portion of your Per Diem. The rate usually starts at the current rate calculated on https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/perdiemCalc.cfm. Since additional people staying with the member will be utilizing more of the TLA’s facilities, utilities, and amenities, the price of the TLA will increase by the calculation authorized in the JTR (Joint Travel Regulation). https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/browse/Travel_Regulations/Regulations_Changes/Monthly/2018/JTR(08-01-18).pdf Chapter 9, Section 090502. Therefore, prices are variable to meet the needs of the member and their families. Please note that the computation for GS personnel is slightly different. Which can be found here. https://www.dla.mil/Careers/Programs/overseas/tempqrtrssuba.aspx

8. How does Per Diem work?

Per Diem is the daily allotted pay the DoD gives members while they are traveling on official duty assignments. The funds are to be used to cover your lodging, food, and incidental expenses, such as laundry and basic needs. Subsequently, it is split into two parts. First is Lodging and second is Meals and Incidentals.

Lodging is paid for actual costs of the rental. The lodging part doesn’t make, save, or cost the member anything as long as it remains under the lodging cap for the particular member or family because it is only a reimbursable expense.

Meals and Incidentals on the other hand is where a member can make or save money. This is usually spent on food in which the member and family can eat less expensive meals and come ahead at the end.

**This can be compared to OHA which is also split into two parts. First is OHA rental Allowance and second is the Utility/Recurring Maintenance Allowance.

9. Within my Per Diem rate, will I have any out of pocket expenses?

No, you and your family members will not have any out of pocket expenses for the lodging. Your Per Diem will cover the cost of the TLA. Prices are varied based on family size which cover the additional expenses of housing more or less people but will never exceed your cap.

10. Why do I need a VAT form?

The rent of a TLA/TLF, within Germany, is a short term (shorter than 6 months) rental. Because the TLA/TLF is rented to personnel who are in a SOFA status, VAT forms are required to reduce the amount of money that the military and federal government would spend on your stay which also keeps the rates in the area affordable in the future. This is also standard procedure under Art. 67 (3) NATO-ZAbk.

11. When do I need to pay for my lodging?

• For U.S.Military personnel, payment should be made within the 10 day finance window.

• For GS personnel, you will need to pay for the first night stay so you can bring the first night receipt to your allowances team at CPO. This is how they begin the authorization to send your Per Diem to your bank account so you can pay for the rest of your stay. Since GS personnel sometimes have to wait up to a month for their allowance to hit their bank account, the next 29 nights may need to be paid after those funds reach you. Arrangements can be made on a case by case basis.

• For contractors, payment can be made anytime within the period of stay.

12. What method should I use to pay for the lodging?

• Military members will normally be paying with their GTC.

• GS and contractors, it is preferred that they make direct bank transfers using their service credit union or community bank accounts. It is normal to accept cash payments during the first month since the opening of local bank accounts and transferring of money may take a while. Credit/Debit cards are also accepted.

13. I am a GS employee with TQSA, will my stay at a TLA be taxed by the federal government as income?

No, TQSA is a non-taxable allowance. It also will not show up as income when you do your taxes. Your stay before you came to Germany (TQSE), your flights, the shipment of a vehicle, and your HHG shipment will be added to your income and will be taxable. Once you arrive in Germany your status changes to the TQSA while you are looking for permanent quarters/home. Subsequently, when you leave and are authorized TQSA before you return to the U.S., that will also not be taxable and will not be counted as income.

14. Do you have any examples of how I can calculate my maximum reimbursable lodging rate?

Calculating your Per Diem rate may seem complicated but it actually isn’t that difficult.  A good thing to remember is that your Per Diem allowance is split into two parts, one part is for Lodging and the other part is for Meals and Incidentals. Note: This calculation is for Military members and their families, GS personnel have a slightly different calculation. If you are GS and need help with your rates, please contact us for that rate.

There are just 4 simple steps that you will need to calculate how much Per Diem for Lodging or Meals and Incidentals that you will receive.

1.       Go to the government website https://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/perdiemCalc.cfm and select Germany in the Outside CONUS section of the Per Diem Rates Query, then click the Calculate button.

2.       Scroll down to the base that you are stationed in, we are using Ramstein AB for this example.  The Key information that you will need are in these 3 highlighted areas of the chart.  The first highlighted number (236) is the Lodging rate in USD at 100%.  The second and third highlighted numbers (104 + 26 = 130) are for Meals and Incidentals at 100%.

3.       Now that you know what the rate is at 100%, you must now calculate what your rate is based on your family composition. We will show that below.

• Military = 65%

• Military + any age 1 Dependent = 100%

• Each Additional Dependent under 12 years old = 25%

• Each Additional Dependent 12 Years old and over = 35%

4.       Basically, all you need to do is add the percentages up and multiply it by either the Lodging rate at 100% or the Meals and Incidentals at 100%.

Example:  Military member married with one child 12 years and older.  100% (for you and your spouse) + 35% (for your child 12 and over) = 135%

Your Maximum Lodging rate is $318.60 per Night (236 x 135% =318.60)

Your Meals and Incidentals will be paid to you at $175.50 per Night (130 x 135% = 175.50) if cooking facilities are not available.  Note: If cooking facilities are available you will receive 50% of the Meals and Incidentals rate, in this example that would be $87.75 per Night.