Tax Tips for Military Families
Tax season is here, and we are once again providing military families with the latest tips and tools for a seamless process. From important dates to online and in-person resources, we got you covered.
Important Dates and General Information
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that it will accept and process 2024 tax returns from January 27 through April 15, 2025. The IRS Tax Information for Members of the Military contains short articles highlighting military-specific issues such as combat pay, credit for child and dependent care expenses, filing deadline extensions for deployed service members, and tax laws that provide unique benefits to service members.
Ready, Set, File
When it comes to filing taxes, the first step is common for military families—prepare and research. Gather those tax documents, your family’s personal information such as Social Security numbers, W2 form(s) from each employer you worked for over the last year, retirement account contributions, and any additional forms that may be related to home ownership or self-employment. If your service member is deployed, make sure your Power of Attorney (POA) is up to date so you can act on their behalf if any complications or issues arise.
Another important step is researching tax breaks to see if your family qualifies. These could include the combat pay exclusion, Earned Income Tax Credit, deductions for moving expenses, and uniform expenses. For more information about these benefits and what circumstances qualify, check out IRS Publication 3 Armed Forces’ Tax Guide.
File Online or In-Person
Did you know that many military installations have a tax assistance center? This military-focused benefit offered during tax season is provided on CONUS and OCONUS military installations. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) consultants offer in-person assistance with tax advice, tax preparation, return filing, and much more—all for free. Check your base guide to see if one is just around the corner.
It should be noted that the IRS encourages taxpayers to file electronically if possible and avoid a paper return since it could take several weeks to process.
Here is a list of military-friendly tax assistance and filing providers:
- MilTax: Offered by Military OneSource, MilTax is a free tax preparation and filing service designed specifically for military families. It’s available to active duty, retired, guard, and reserve members and their dependents.
- TaxAct: Free federal and state electronic filing for all active duty service members, regardless of rank.
- TurboTax: Provides free federal and state electronic filing for enlisted service members.
- TaxSlayer: Available to all active duty military for free federal electronic filing. Provides an in-depth military filing hub to help military families with frequently asked questions.
All four services offer personalized support from tax consultants, including phone support. MilTax, TurboTax, and Tax Slayer also provide live chat support.
Tax Experts
Do you think your family’s tax filing is more robust than most? Hiring a tax professional might be the best route. There are different types of tax preparation services, and fees can vary significantly from $220 to several thousand dollars. Often, the best way to find a tax professional is through word of mouth—asking friends and family for a referral.
Before hiring a tax professional, take the time to do your due diligence. Be sure to verify their credentials, understand how their fees are determined, who will be preparing your return, how your questions will be addressed, and how they will manage any issues that might arise. You’ll also want to ask about their experience working with military clients or handling tax situations like yours. For example, if your family made a PCS move in 2024, you may be able to deduct some of your unreimbursed moving expenses. Having someone who is familiar with military tax issues will help ensure a smoother filing process.
Together We’re Stronger ®
By: Angela Sablan Tenorio, Content Manager
