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Relocation Package Gap Calculator
Enter the package value and the costs you expect to pay. The calculator returns the full move cost, the part the package covers and the gap left for the employee.
A package is usually capped and reimbursed against receipts, so eligible categories, claim deadlines and tax treatment can change the real gap; confirm the rules before booking.
The cap is not the budget
A relocation package is an allowance with conditions, not an open budget. The cap may cover flights and shipping but exclude the deposit, temporary housing and furniture, which are often the largest lines. Reimbursement after you pay also means the cash has to be available before the claim is processed.
List every cost you expect to carry and compare it with the eligible categories, not with the headline value. A package described as generous can still leave a five-figure gap once housing deposits and setup costs are counted. Ask for the policy document rather than a summary from a recruiter.
Timing and repayment clauses
Even a package that covers the cost can create a cash-flow problem if the money arrives weeks after the invoice. Keep enough savings to fund the move until reimbursement lands. Check whether the employer pays suppliers directly, which removes the cash gap for those lines.
Look for a clawback clause. If relocation support must be repaid when employment ends within a stated period, the package is partly a loan. The repayment may be pro-rated, but the obligation can still exceed the value of leaving for a better role. Compare that period with the probation and notice terms.
Frequently asked questions
Does the package value include tax?
Not always. Some relocation benefits are taxable and the tax may be withheld from salary or added to taxable income. Ask how the benefit is reported and who bears the tax.
Are deposits covered?
Often not, or only up to a cap. Deposits are usually paid by the employee and returned at the end of the tenancy, so they are cash timing as well as cost.
Can I keep unused package money?
Depends on the policy. Some packages pay a lump sum, some reimburse only receipts and some require unused funds to be returned. Confirm before treating the cap as cash.