COLA survey begins, reimbursements to end

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The new overseas cost-of-living allowance survey is available now until Feb. 15, 2013.

This is survey is service members' only opportunity to report their expenses so that the COLA they receive is an accurate reimbursement for unique expenses and off-base spending in the U.K. The results of this survey will directly affect the amount of COLA service members will receive while stationed at RAF Mildenhall.

Before service members begin the survey, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, they should determine where they purchase their groceries, clothing, household furnishings, entertainment, communication devices and transportation, and how much they typically spend on these items annually.

Due to recent changes to the Department of Defense's unique COLA reimbursement policy, this year's COLA survey is particularly important. Beginning in March, the unique COLA entitlements for the road tax and TV licensing reimbursement to service members stationed in the U.K. will no longer be provided.

Currently, the road tax cost for one vehicle averages $330 a year, but varies based on vehicle type and its emissions category. The TV license cost is approximately $245 per year. Since service members will no longer be directly reimbursed for these expenses, it is important they identify and include these payments as part of their annual expenses while stationed here for the purposes of the COLA survey -- even if they were already reimbursed this year.

In the "Remarks" section of Part VI of the survey, service members can write in the amounts they pay for their total annual road tax costs (for all of their vehicles) and TV license.

To access the survey, go to http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/lps-uk.cfm.

Below are some helpful questions and answers for military members to reference. Anyone with additional questions should contact the 100th Comptroller Squadron Finance Office at DSN 238-2387 or commercial at 01638-542387.

Q: Why the change in the policy?
A: In 2012, the Defense Travel Management Office concluded military members based in the U.K. did not meet the Joint Federal Travel Regulations criteria for a unique COLA entitlement. This was because the average road tax and TV license costs were each less than 1 percent of the spendable income of a technical sergeant with 10 years of service and three dependents.

Q: Will there be an increase in pay to cover the road tax and TV license costs?
A: No. The only amount that may be adjusted due to this change is the COLA, but that is dependent upon the COLA survey results.

Q: What happens if I don't pay the road tax or purchase a TV license?
A: It is illegal to operate a vehicle that does not have a valid road tax disc. Drivers of vehicles without a valid road tax disc can be fined up to £2,000, issued a ticket, sent to court and/or their car can be impounded or crushed. Additionally, people can be fined if they purchase their road tax late. If a home contains a device that emits a signal and is capable of receiving/streaming media, and the occupant has not purchased a TV license, the occupant can be fined up to £1,000.

Q: Do Airmen who live in the dorms and in base housing have to purchase a TV license?
A: Yes. According to the TV licensing website, a TV license is required if you watch or record programs that are broadcast from outside the U.K. on a non-U.K. satellite (i.e. an AFN dish).

Q: Does the TV license only apply to actual TVs, or does it include devices that emit a signal and are capable of receiving/streaming media?
A: According to the TV licensing website, a TV license must be purchased if a person watches live TV on a TV or online on a computer or laptop, or if a person has a video recorder and/or a digital recorder, or if a person uses a cell phone that can broadcast TV.

Q: Can Airmen pay for their road tax or TV license early, before Feb. 28, 2013, so they can file to receive the reimbursement before it ends?
A: No. For example, if an Airman's road tax or TV license expires at the end of June 2013, that Airman must renew his/her road tax or TV license in June 2013.

Q: In the future, will the reimbursements be reinstated?
A: Currently, there are no talks for the reimbursement being reinstated.

To purchase a TV license, or for more information, visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk.

To purchase road tax for a vehicle visit https://www.taxdisc.direct.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/app/home/intro?skin=directgov.

For more information on the road tax visit https://www.gov.uk/browse/driving/car-tax-discs.