Sell back leave?

Anyone in here that has gotten out already and sold back leave? I have some questions about it. I know that the general consensus will be to "take the leave instead," but I don't have enough time left for that. I'm getting an involuntary sep from the MC due to being passed over for SSGT twice. With that, I'll be receiving seps pay and 20 days of transition PTAD. I'll be taking the PTAD and 1 day of terminal leave due to the amount of leave that I have is more than the amount of time I have left in.

My questions are:
1. How is the amount they pay you calculated for selling back leave?
2. Is BAH and BAS included in the calculation?
3. How much do they tax it?

I would prefer to hear an answer from someone who has personally gone through this process, because when I read on other forums and I search for answers online, I get multiple different answers that are mixed in with the "take it instead of selling it back" comments. I appreciate your help!

 

I didn't do this but I don't believe BAH and BAS is included. Could be wrong though.

 

I've heard both ways, and that's why that question was in there. The order on it is very vague, so I didn't have any luck going that route either.

 

Yea I think it's just base pay.

 

Base Pay only.

 

Do you know this from personal experience? If so, can you provide feedback on the other questions as well?

 

Personal experience...as I am currently active duty and have sold leave on more than one occasion. I would be happy to answer any additional questions.

 

How do they calculate what you sell back? How much do they pull out for taxes?

 

Base pay only, I know from personal experience. I was medically retired in 2011 after a med board.
The tax it normally I believe.

 

I've read in some places that they tax it as high as 25%...that's why I was curious about that.

 

You can only sell leave once, only base pay is paid. It is taxed at the same tax rate. It is more beneficial to take the leave in a terminal status than ever to sell if you can help it. While on leave you get the additional bas and bah.

 

This is 100% accurate.

 

I would've loved to do that, but HQMC took a ridiculous amount of time deciding on if they wanted to keep me or deny retention and then took even longer to give me a seps pay detemination, so I'm taking the 20 days of free leave they give me and selling back the 28 days of leave that I have.

 

I know that feeling. It sux

 

How do they calculate the amount I would get? Do they divide a month's pay by 30 and then multiply by the number of days that I have to give me the pay determination?

 

25 years last December 12. I've seen it a million times. Take all the terminal leave you can. My wife is a Marine and hits 20 years on 1 SEP. She starts terminal 60 days out plus PTAD for house hunting.

 

Yes, it is prorated by day. This will get close enough.

 

As others have said, base pay only. They use a calculation to determine the amount. Your best bet is to contact your finance section and they can tell you exactly what you will receive. It will also be on the paperwork you sign to sell the leave. But, if you divide your base pay by 30 and then multiply that amount by the # of days you are selling, you will be in the ballpark range of what you will receive.

 

I appreciate the advice, but with the amount of time I have, I'll end up taking the free leave and sell back the regular leave.

 

Here's what I have always thought.... Why not work right up until your EAS, collect your regular pay and BAH during that time. Then at the end sell back any remaining leave. I believe that is much better than taking the leave because either way youre going to get paid your basic pay & BAH. If you take the leave you are pretty much throwing away that extra money.

I know that this does not answer the OP's question, but I have always disagreed with people who say "always take terminal."