The TurboTax software will help you identify deductions and expenses to maximize your return. You can even consult with tax experts directly through the TurboTax Live Assisted platform. Most service members must contend with multiple types of pay, including tax-exempt combat pay, special duty pay, moving to a new state or country, and other factors. Some military members or their spouses may also have special considerations, such as claiming residency in more than one state during a tax year.
File Taxes With FreeTaxUSA
Military members can file through any TurboTax Online (not CD/desktop or TurboTax Live) product, including TurboTax Free Edition, Deluxe, and Premium. This offer is not valid for commission officers, warrant officers, veterans, retirees, and the National Guard. TurboTax also offers free tax returns (or a discount on premium versions) for all enlisted military members.
Other Tax Software Options for Military Members to File Their Tax Returns
Offered through the Department of Defense, MilTax is a free tax resource available to members of the military, as well as qualifying veterans and family members. It is a suite of tax services designed to address the realities of military life—including deployments, combat and training pay, housing and rentals, and multi-state filings. MilTax includes tax preparation and electronic filing software, personalized support from tax consultants and current information about filing taxes. Eligible taxpayers can use MilTax to electronically file a federal tax return and up to three state returns for free. The extended due dates apply to most federal tax returns and payments, including those for income taxes (including estimated tax payments), payroll taxes, and excise taxes. If you’re impacted by a natural disaster, check our IRS Disaster Relief page to see if you qualify for an automatic tax filing or payment extension.
Contact your base VITA or information office or visit the IRS website for more information. Most major military installations offer a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) office, and there are also VITA locations off-site in many communities. Ranks E6 and up are also not eligible for the free Deluxe version, as we mentioned earlier. You need to choose a package that is eligible for the deal (as described above) to receive money off. This includes members of the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard.
Plan ahead for tax time
Today, TurboTax is one of the most common tax preparation services in the country. The company gives back to those who serve by providing a military discount. TurboTax also has a tool called ExplainWhy, which helps users understand the various deductions, credits, and other aspects of their tax refund.
Free tax filing discounts and resources
When it comes to military retirement pay, your pension benefits almost always count as taxable income, but the decision of whether or not to tax military retirement pay is left up to the states. Get the most out of your tax deductions next year and make it easy on yourself with tax planning, starting with staying organized. Start a folder for important documents, financial records, and receipts to make filing easier and get a jump-start on tax prep. Keep in mind that filing and paying taxes are two separate things. If you owe taxes, the IRS will charge an interest rate starting from the date the payment was due, unless you make your payment by the original filing deadline. They use an interview format and prompts to fill out the bulk of your tax return.
The calendar has rolled over to a new year, and it’s time to start thinking about filing tax returns. But even though taxes can get complicated for military families, there are many ways to get it done in an affordable way. The Intuit Military and Veteran Initiative is part of our commitment to help transform the lives of military families and veterans through jobs and financial empowerment. Providing job opportunities and educating veterans on starting a small business is all in service to powering prosperity around the world. Finally, users can file state tax returns through TurboTax for an additional fee in most cases. However, some states offer free filing options, so it’s worth checking local requirements before paying for the add-on.
Can Military Spouses and Veterans Use TurboTax for Free?
Get expert advice as you do your taxes, with an expert review before you file to ensure you get your maximum refund or biggest tax savings. TurboTax pricing can be anywhere from free on up (depending on which version you purchase – turbo tax free for military see below for more information). TurboTax’s newest tool, CompleteCheck, offers customers a streamlined review of their returns.
Liberty Tax offers discounted pricing on tax preparation for active-duty service members and veterans, and it has offices all over the country. Use coupon code MILITARY25 to redeem, and visit Liberty Tax’s website to find a location near you to book an appointment. The military discount is for all enlisted ranks (E-1 through E-9) – active duty and Reserves – with a W-2 from DFAS.
- As a service to members, we will attempt to assist members who have limited English proficiency where possible.
- If for some reason you did not get the discount then you should contact TurboTax support for assistance.
- Ryan started The Military Wallet in 2007 after separating from active duty military service and has been writing about financial, small business, and military benefits topics since then.
- When a member of the armed forces is deployed into a combat zone, base pay or re-enlistment bonuses paid during that time period is excluded from taxable income.
- If you have investments or rental properties, operate a small business, or face other unique or more complicated situations, you may need to purchase a more full-featured version instead.
Carla Ayers joined Kiplinger in 2024 as the E-Commerce & Personal Finance Editor. She earned a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Eastern Michigan University. Her professional background spans both commercial and residential real estate, enriching her writing with firsthand industry insights. She is passionate about making complex real estate and financial topics accessible for all readers. Dedicated to transparency and clarity, her ultimate goal is to help her audience make informed and confident decisions in their financial pursuits. Ultimately, the goal is to simplify your tax season — not add unnecessary costs.
But as you file your tax returns, be sure to take advantage of special deals that can help make the process more affordable. Unlike active-duty service members, veterans are not automatically eligible for free TurboTax military filing. However, veterans may qualify for free tax filing through other programs. For those with a simple tax return (such as W-2 income and the standard deduction), TurboTax’s Free Edition may still apply.
USAA members can access exclusive savings when purchasing TurboTax through the USAA website. You can use the app to snap a pic of your W-2 and other documents and your information will be automatically entered in your return. It’s important to note that the mobile app doesn’t have access to the print center or tax tools. Filing jointly with your spouse is also one of your options during deployment. For overseas Active Duty, your spouse can prepare the return and either send it to you for your signature or sign on your behalf with POA.
- Intuit’s TurboTax is intuitive, easy to use and takes you step-by-step through your return, including various types of income, deductions, tax credits and more.
- You can switch back and forth between TurboTax online and the app seamlessly.
- Completing your tax return and filing your taxes with TurboTax is easy.
- These ranks can file with either the normal Free Edition provided by TurboTax, or the Deluxe version at no additional cost.
- Many states offer military families and veterans tax benefits, such as exclusions on military retirement pay or state residency flexibility.
- Whether you’re looking for athletic shoes, summer flip-flops or school shoes for the kids, you can find military discounts…
Many states offer military families and veterans tax benefits, such as exclusions on military retirement pay or state residency flexibility. Some states do not tax military retirement income, which can significantly reduce a veteran’s taxable income. The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is also teaming with H&R Block to offer tax preparation services to military members and their families at a 10% discount in select Exchange locations around the world.
Military deployment brings unique opportunities for tax filing. Servicemembers have access to special extensions and potential tax breaks that could potentially ensure a smooth process. Whether you’re filing individually or jointly with a spouse, being prepared helps you meet deadlines and take advantage of available benefits.
Anyone who has ever served in the military knows how complicated military pay and benefits can be. Earning tax-free combat zone pay can also impact both your state and federal tax returns. The suite of free tax services includes preparation and e-filing software, personalized support from tax consultants and current information about filing taxes. It’s designed to address the realities of military life, including deployments, combat and training pay, housing, rentals and multi-state filings. Members of the armed forces follow specific income tax rules, which detail the various types of military pay and allowances included or excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes. Whether you receive training pay or are stationed in an active combat zone, these circumstances can impact your tax filing.