Relocation Income Tax Allowance (RITA)
Federal Travel Regulations (FTR), Chapter 302, Subchapter F
The RITA reimburses an eligible transferred employee for the additional Federal, State, and local income taxes incurred as a result of receiving taxable travel income.
If you are filing a claim for travel prior to January 1, 2015, follow the procedures at the bottom of this page.
The normal processing time for a RITA claim with an order report date of later than January 2015 is eight business days. Please allow up to five business days for payment to post to your bank account.
**We are currently processing all RITA claims.**
RITA Eligibility Expansion
A recent change in the law expands RITA eligibility to include four categories of travelers who were previously excluded:
- New appointees;
- Senior Executive Service employees performing a “last move home”;
- Individuals returning from an overseas assignment for the purpose of separation from Government Service; and
- Individuals assigned under the Government Employees Training Act.
The change in law, which occurred December 20, 2019, was given an effective date of January 1, 2018. Accordingly, if you paid taxes on civilian relocation entitlements which were reported as taxable income on a 2018 and/or 2019 W-2 or W-2C, you are eligible to file a RITA claim.
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Things you need to know:
- RITA is not automatic; you must apply for it in the year after receiving taxable travel pay. For example, if you received taxable travel pay in 2018, you may file a RITA in 2019 after you have filed your 2018 taxes.
- If Withholding Tax Allowance was elected, you must file a RITA claim within 120 days of the following calendar year. Failure to file a timely RITA claim will result in a debt owed to DFAS and collection of the entire amount of WTA paid on your behalf.
- The method for calculating the RITA payment is based on the date you reported to your new duty location.
- The amount of income reported on the Certification Form has to match the income tax documentation submitted with the RITA claim
- For employees who reported to the new duty location on or after January 1, 2015, the RITA calculation is based on taxable income from the Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040) (after exemptions and deductions) and the IRS published tax tables.
RITA Voucher Submission:
- DD Form 1351-2 (Travel Voucher/Sub Voucher)
- You must claim RITA in block 18
- Block 20 must be signed and dated by you and your reviewer/supervisor
- DD Form 1614 (Travel Authorization/Orders) with all amendments
- Include Direct Deposit Form SF1199A
- All W-2s (travel and payroll), including spouse’s if filing jointly, for the year you are claiming RITA.
- RITA Status Certification Form-reported to new duty location on/after January 1, 2015
- Completed Federal income tax return (Form 1040)
- Completed State and Local income tax returns if your travel pay was taxed by a state
Need help filling out your RITA Claim. Link to our YouTube tutorial here
Page updated April 15, 2019