If you’ve designated someone with financial power of attorney (POA) before deployment, they can handle your taxes completely while you’re away. Your trusted POA can access your documents, complete forms, sign on your behalf, submit information to the IRS and handle any follow-up communications. 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.
- We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used.
- Never coming back and not recommending Turbotax to any of my Soldiers.
- Features like document import and deduction-finding tools can help maximize your refund, but it’s important to consider whether you actually need the higher-tier upgrades or expert help.
State Tax Considerations for Military Families and Veterans
Select the product labeled “Do your own taxes $0 to $129 and select Start for Free.” I’ve done all of these things and the charges are still indicated. Their promotion is misleading and frankly make them look very untrustworthy. Never coming back and not recommending Turbotax to any of my Soldiers.
What Is The Official TurboTax Military Discount?
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.
- VITA sites have volunteers that are trained by the IRS to provide assistance with some of the more complicated military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax exclusions.
- Select the product labeled “Do your own taxes $0 to $129 and select Start for Free.”
- If you need more time to familiarize yourself with tax requirements and exceptions you’re entitled to, it may be worthwhile to take advantage of the filing extension.
You can also exclude military allowances for turbo tax free for military housing from your federal taxable income. For example, if you began serving in a combat zone on April 1, you had 15 days until the typical April 15 filing deadline. That means you would have 195 days from your last day of service to file your return and pay any taxes due, or 180 days plus the 15 remaining from April 1 to April 15. Military members serving in a combat zone or contingency operation qualify for an automatic extension, which will extend the deadline to file a return, pay taxes owed, or file a claim for a refund.
Members of the United States armed forces are often deployed outside of their home state or country when tax time rolls around. This can make it difficult to file a military tax return or make payments on time. The IRS recognizes this fact and gives many military and support personnel an extension on their tax deadlines. TurboTax offers a free edition to everyone, which may be sufficient for your needs. As noted above, you can always start with the free version and upgrade if needed. If you don’t qualify for the military discount, you only pay if you upgrade and only when you file your return.
See below for more information about TurboTax and its military discount. Military.com provides discount information as a service to our members. We make every effort to ensure accuracy but are not liable for the availability of discounts provided by a third party. As an affiliate partner of some discount providers, Military.com may earn from qualifying purchases.
Feels like misleading and false advertisement, I agree with OP. If for some reason you did not get the discount then you should contact TurboTax support for assistance. TurboTax software can be downloaded directly from the TurboTax website, or purchased from popular retailers like Costco and Best Buy, both online and in-store. With tax laws changing regularly, TurboTax remains valuable thanks to its in-depth guidance, educational resources and hands-on help throughout the filing process.
How do I get the free military tax filing through turbo tax that you would usually have to pay for?
Simply use your military W-2 to verify rank; your discount will apply when you file. Offer valid for active duty and reservists of an enlisted rank (E-1 through E-9) with a W2 from DFAS. Additionally, you must factor in things such as investment income, deductions, tax credits, retirement contributions, rental income, or even running a small business.
File your taxes, your way
The cost of military uniforms that aren’t worn off-duty, including their cleaning and upkeep, also are deductible, reduced by any uniform allowance that you receive. If you’re a student in the ROTC, you don’t have to pay tax on the allowance that you receive for your participation in advanced training. This rule doesn’t apply to any active duty pay that you receive. If you’re filing taxes after moving, make sure to account for any eligible expenses when calculating your write-offs. If you’re serving in a combat zone, your pay will be tax-free, which is great news. If you’re a military officer, your tax-free pay may be subject to a cap.
This service is ideal for complex returns but comes at an added cost, which may not be worthwhile for simpler filings. The desktop version is installed on your computer, allowing for offline access and local data storage. Both versions support state tax returns, though additional fees may apply.
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.
We’ve organized these benefits alphabetically by state and territory for quick reference. For combat zone deployments, your 180-day extension begins after you leave the combat zone and includes any remaining time in the filing period when you entered the zone. For example, if you entered the combat zone with 5 days left to file, you would have an 185-day extension after leaving the zone. The H&R Block Online’s free program guides you through a simple, standardized federal tax return to help ensure your taxes are done correctly.
If you start with the free edition and find you need to upgrade, continue with your return. The TurboTax online software automatically saves your information as you go. With the military discount, you can file federal and state taxes for free, regardless of your version. TurboTax federal and state tax filing is free for US enlisted (rank E-1 through E-9) active duty military and reservists with a W-2 from DFAS.
CompleteCheck looks for missing, incomplete, or conflicting information and flags the issue for review before you file. The tool will notify you if there are no issues and your return is ready to be filed. TurboTax then uses your answers to these questions to fill out the appropriate forms.
Taxpayers who lived and worked in one of 25 participating states for all of 2024 may use IRS Direct File to file federal tax returns online—for free—directly and securely with the IRS. Go to IRS Direct File to find more information, including eligibility requirements and updates to the list of tax situations added to IRS Direct File for the 2024 tax year. Upload a copy of your W-2 (find out when military tax forms are available through myPay), and verify your rank. TurboTax will automatically apply your discount when you file your taxes. You can file both your federal and state taxes for free regardless of which online version you use (free edition, deluxe, premier or self-employed). Military service has many benefits, including tax filing assistance for active-duty personnel.