Estimate your Temporary Lodging Allowance entitlements
Do not include Service Member
Total Percentage Authorized:0%
Daily Lodging Ceiling:$0.00
Daily M&IE Ceiling (Flat Rate):$0.00
Lodging Reimbursable (Actual vs Cap):$0.00
Total Daily TLA Payable:$0.00
Estimated Grand Total:$0.00
function calculateTLA() {
// Get input values
var locLodging = parseFloat(document.getElementById("locLodging").value);
var locMie = parseFloat(document.getElementById("locMie").value);
var depOver12 = parseInt(document.getElementById("depOver12").value) || 0;
var depUnder12 = parseInt(document.getElementById("depUnder12").value) || 0;
var actualCost = parseFloat(document.getElementById("actualCost").value);
var numDays = parseInt(document.getElementById("numDays").value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(locLodging) || isNaN(locMie) || isNaN(actualCost) || isNaN(numDays)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for rates, costs, and days.");
return;
}
// Calculate Multiplier Percentage based on JTR rules for OCONUS TLA
// Member: 65%
// Dependent 12+: 35%
// Dependent <12: 25%
// Note: If single member only, it is 65%. If family, percentages stack.
var memberPct = 65;
var over12Pct = depOver12 * 35;
var under12Pct = depUnder12 * 25;
var totalPct = memberPct + over12Pct + under12Pct;
var multiplier = totalPct / 100;
// Calculate Daily Ceilings
var dailyLodgingCeiling = locLodging * multiplier;
var dailyMieCeiling = locMie * multiplier;
// Calculate Payable Amounts
// Lodging is reimbursed at actual cost up to the ceiling
var lodgingPayable = 0;
if (actualCost < dailyLodgingCeiling) {
lodgingPayable = actualCost;
} else {
lodgingPayable = dailyLodgingCeiling;
}
// M&IE is generally paid at the ceiling rate regardless of actual food cost
var miePayable = dailyMieCeiling;
// Totals
var dailyTotal = lodgingPayable + miePayable;
var grandTotal = dailyTotal * numDays;
// Update DOM
document.getElementById("resPercentage").innerHTML = totalPct + "%";
document.getElementById("resLodgingCeiling").innerHTML = "$" + dailyLodgingCeiling.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resMieCeiling").innerHTML = "$" + dailyMieCeiling.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resLodgingPayable").innerHTML = "$" + lodgingPayable.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resDailyTotal").innerHTML = "$" + dailyTotal.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("resGrandTotal").innerHTML = "$" + grandTotal.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("tlaResults").style.display = "block";
}
Understanding TLA Rates and Reimbursement
Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) is a financial allowance designed to partially reimburse a Service member for the more than normal expenses incurred while occupying temporary lodgings OCONUS (Outside Continental United States). This usually occurs upon initial arrival at a permanent duty station or immediately preceding departure from a permanent duty station.
How is the TLA Rate Calculated?
Unlike flat-rate allowances, TLA is calculated based on the specific per diem rate of your location, the composition of your family, and your actual lodging expenses. The formula generally follows the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) guidelines:
Lodging Portion: This is a reimbursable expense capped at a ceiling. You are paid the lesser of your actual daily lodging cost or the calculated lodging ceiling.
M&IE Portion: Meals and Incidental Expenses are paid as a flat allowance based on the calculated M&IE ceiling for your family size.
The Percentage Multipliers
The total ceiling for both Lodging and M&IE is determined by adding percentage factors associated with each family member occupying the temporary lodging:
Occupant
Percentage of Local Per Diem
Service Member / Employee
65%
Dependent (Age 12 and Over)
35% each
Dependent (Under Age 12)
25% each
Calculation Example
Consider a Service member with a spouse and one child (under 12) arriving at a station where the Local Per Diem is $200 for Lodging and $100 for M&IE.
2. Calculate Ceilings:
Lodging Ceiling: $200 x 1.25 = $250/day
M&IE Ceiling: $100 x 1.25 = $125/day
3. Compare with Actual Cost:
If the family spends $220/day on a hotel, they are fully reimbursed $220 for lodging because it is under the $250 ceiling. They also receive the flat $125 for M&IE.
If they spend $300/day on a hotel, they are capped at the $250 ceiling for lodging.
Important TLA Restrictions
Increments: TLA is typically authorized in 10-day increments.
Kitchen Facilities: If the temporary lodging has facilities for preparing and consuming meals (a kitchen), the M&IE rate may be reduced by 50%.
Max Days: Arrival TLA is usually limited to 60 days, though extensions are possible under specific circumstances. Departure TLA is usually limited to 10 days.