Reserve Pay

PAY & ORDERS

When will I get paid?

LESs come out based on DFAS processing timelines. Typically, you'll get a LES on Wednesdays and Fridays, depending on system downtime and holidays. How long it takes us to process is dependent on when we received your submission, how accurate it is, and our current manning. The accuracy of your submission is dependent on knowing the proper procedure for the status that was performed. Short tours, long tours and IDT (inactive duty training) are all separate procedures. We post our internal processing schedule on Wing SharePoint so please check there before inquiring on status.

Can I submit my certification for long tour orders in AROWS-R?

No, AROWS-R will not route a certified order over 30 days to Finance. Documents should be uploaded to the database via 452 FM SharePoint.

How do I initiate my pay on my new orders?

If the order is 29 days or less, you will certify the order in AROWS-R on or after the last day of the order. (In the menu under Tour of Duty, select “Create Certification”)

If the order is 30 days or more you will need to turn in a signed pre-cert (full signed order, with block 36 C and D and “was released from duty at” left blank) to the 452 FM SharePoint site on or after the first day of the order.

NOTE: Always ensure that you initiate pay for all orders within five days of the order’s end date, this is vital to avoid delays in pay. As the order ages it becomes more difficult to pull accurate data and validate that transactions are input correctly.

I completed a UTA reschedule/RMP/AFTP/AGTP…why haven’t I been paid?

Please check with your unit POC (UTAPS Monitor for UTA/RMP; SARM for AFTP/AGTP). If they state the process has completed in UTAPS and a LES doesn’t come the following Wednesday/Friday, you may have a conflict. A conflict exists when someone submits for pay in both an active and inactive duty status (all the more reason to know what status you are in each duty day). You and your unit will have to determine what the appropriate status is and have the other cancelled.

My name is on UOO but I have already been paid for that order…now what?

Please verify that you were paid for all dates of the order on LES. Sometimes there will be a modification to extend a long tour a day or two but it never gets processed. You may have an outstanding closeout needed that will pay you those remaining days. Also, if it’s a local mileage only order, check your LES to ensure you received your mileage payment. If everything checks out, have your chain contact your Group Resource Advisor who will then get in contact with Budget to have the UOO dropped.

What’s the difference between a short or long tour?

A short tour is defined as 29 days or less and a long tour is 30 days or more. A short tour has less entitlements and is paid through the TOD-C process within AROWS-R. A long tour gives entitlements that are more commonly associated with Active Day (BAH, Leave accrual, etc). Long tour pay is started by submitting a Pre-certification stating that you’ve arrived to duty station and reported for duty. Leave is encouraged to be taken during the long tour in which is was earned. It’s highly recommended for orders that are intended to be long tours to have a duration of at least 33 days (30 work days and 3 leave days). After the order is completed, a long tour closeout package (AF938, AF1089, and/or AF988s) is required to reconcile all entitlements during long tour.

Why is it that even though my orders were modified, I have not been paid to the end of my order and my leave is being disapproved?

Any time your order is modified, you must turn in a copy to the 452 FM SharePoint site so a technician can manually update your record. Once the order is corrected in the system, you will be paid and we will be able to process your leave.

NOTE: We do not automatically receive modified orders, action is required from the member.

My TOD-C RPO Collection date has past based on SharePoint processing schedule…why don’t I have a LES?

Please verify the date a LES is said to be available. Sometimes we post that it’s complete but the LES won’t come out for a day or two. If it doesn’t come the following Wednesday/Friday then you may have a conflict. A conflict exists when someone submits for pay in both an active and inactive duty status (all the more reason to know what status you are in each duty day).  You and your unit will have to determine what the appropriate status is and have the other cancelled.

LEAVE

How does leave accrue on orders?

A. Leave is accrued on orders that are 30 or more in length at a rate of 2.5 days per month. If the order begins or ends in the middle of the month follow the accrual breakdown below:

Beginning on:

1st-6th               2.5 days

7th-12th             2.0 days

13th-18th           1.5 days

19th-24th           1.0 days

25th-31st            0.5 days

Returning on:

1st-6th               0.5 days

7th-12th             1.0 days

13th-18th           1.5 days

19th-24th           2.0 days

25th-31st            2.5 days

How many days of leave can I carry over from fiscal year to fiscal year?

The maximum leave carryover allowed is 60 days.

How do I change my leave stop/start dates?

You must complete part III of your existing AF IMT 988, reflecting your change and have it signed by your supervisor and then submit to your Reserve Pay Office.

Is the leave I sell back taxable?

Yes, when you sell back leave, it is considered part of your basic pay and is therefore taxable income.  Federal tax withholding is calculated at 25% of your total entitlement; in addition, most states withhold income tax at a one-time rate. If part of the leave sold is combat zone exempt leave, that leave will not be taxed.

Why was my leave balance reduced if I took emergency leave?

Emergency leave, leave granted for personal or family emergencies involving the immediate family, is chargeable.

How does leave get deducted and does it come from my taxable or non-taxable leave balance?

Generally, leave is charged (deducted from your account) with the oldest leave accrued being charged first.  However, tax free leave is an exception.  It is always charged ahead of all other leave regardless of when the tax free leave was accrued.

How can I forward my leave balance?

Leave Carry Over documents and guidance are located on the 452 FM SharePoint site.

NOTE: A zero balance of leave is a requirement for producing a DD214 for deployments, long tour orders, and upon retirement/separation.

What are the procedures for submitting leave when accomplished after the fact (after dates of leave)?

Fill out AF Form 988 same as normal for all three parts.  On part III section III check the box for “No change” and complete subsections C, D and E only.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

I recently got married and updated my information with DEERS office…will Finance automatically get updated?

Unfortunately, it will NOT. The two systems involved don’t talk to each other. Please submit original documentation and AF594 to us in order for your dependency status to be updated. Got an unique circumstance and aren’t sure what we need or how to fill out AF594? Check the BAH Recertification Guide on the Resource Pay SharePoint site for specific information.

How do I claim a secondary dependent for BAH?

To claim a secondary dependent you must complete AF Form 594. You must also complete the appropriate DD Form 137. The different 137 forms and instructions can be found on the DFAS website.

Additionally, you must obtain supporting documents that establish the secondary dependent relationship and/or financial support. Written verification of the dependent's income, from all sources, is required. Accepted documents include, but are not limited to: pay stubs, Social Security documents and W-2s.  When the dependent does not reside in your household, then proof of your support is also required. Accepted documents include, but are not limited to: canceled checks, money orders, receipts or a dependent support allotment.

NOTE: If you already have a primary dependent, then submitting paperwork for a secondary dependent has no impact on your BAH; however, you can still complete a dependency determination for other entitlements (ID card, medical, etc.).

Bonus, Other Entitlements

How will my bonus be paid?

Generally, your bonus will be a separate deposit and will not be included in your paycheck.  However, it will be deposited into the same account as your regular pay.

Both my military spouse and I were TDY/deployed. Who can claim family separation allowance (FSA)?

If you and your military spouse were residing together prior to the separation, but you didn't have any dependents residing with you, only one of you is entitled to FSA-T, for a TDY more than 30 days provided your military spouse does not reside at or near the TDY location nor visit for more than 30 days.

If you and your military spouse were residing together with your dependents immediately prior to your TDY, you are both entitled to receive FSA-T, provided your TDY was for more than 30 days and at two different locations.

Complete a DD Form 1561.

Who do I contact if I'm receiving the wrong entitlement rate for my Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) / Hazardous Duty Incentive Pay (HDIP)?

If you believe the rate you are currently receiving for your ACIP/HDIP is incorrect, please contact your Host Aviation Resource Management (HARM) Office.

Taxation

My dependency status just changed; how do I update my withholding for state taxes?

You should access the myPay system and make the appropriate changes for your state exemptions.  If you need additional income tax advice, you should consult a tax professional.

What do I need to do to establish a new state of legal residency?

While some states do have specific requirements for establishing legal residency, most states follow the guidelines listed on the DD Form 2058 to change your state of legal residence.

Your intent to make a new state of legal residence may be indicated by one or more of the following:

• Registering to vote in the new state

• Purchasing residential property in the new state

• Titling and registering a vehicle in the new state

• Notifying your previous state of legal residence about a change in residency

• Preparing a new last will and testament which indicates the new state of legal residence

There are several unique state and territory residency requirements for Arizona, California, Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Vermont. Please reference AFMAN 65-116 Vol 1 Chap 56 Sec 56C 56.19.

Why did I get a refund on my withholding taxes?

The most common reason why you might receive a refund on your taxes is when a retroactive adjustment is made that affects your taxable wages. For example, if your combat zone tax exclusion (CZTE) transaction was processed with a retroactive effective date, it would result in refunding to you the taxes withheld in the prior month(s).

How do I get my W-2(s) after I retire?

After you retire, you will be able to view and/or print your W-2s online with myPay.

DEBTS

Why do I have a debt?

In most cases the debt reason will be in the remarks on the LES the debt posted to. If not, please submit a query via the 452 FM SharePoint site.

NOTE: Some things that could help avoid debts on your account:

• Ensure order modifications are turned in to finance as soon as they become available, especially if they shorten the order length.

• Ensure you do not take leave, when you do not have a sufficient balance to cover it.

• If you do not perform UTAs consecutively, SGLI debts will accumulate as debts to be paid on your next LES.