The military community has access to a variety of tax preparation and filing services for free or at a discounted rate. MilTax, offered through the Department of Defense, is one such free resource. It provides members of the military, veterans, and their families with a set of tax services that can help them maximize their benefits and protect themselves against unexpected tax bills or penalties. The MilTax package includes 100% free tax services, such as personalized support from tax advisors, easy-to-use software for tax preparation and electronic filing, and up-to-date information on tax filing in the military.
This online software is an electronic version of IRS forms, but it does not offer the same assistance as popular tax software programs like TurboTax, H&R Block, etc. Commissioned officers, NCOs, veterans, and retirees are not eligible to file taxes for free with TurboTax. The Army Air Force Exchange Service & has also partnered with H&R Block to offer tax preparation services to members of the military and their families at a 10% discount at select exchange offices around the world. Other options available to eligible veterans and military families include VITA, TCE, MyFreeTaxes, and more.
It can be confusing to know exactly when to file taxes if you're in the military, especially if your duty station changes during the tax year. Once you've chosen the program you want to use, you'll access specialized software that will guide you through filing your tax return. This software will help you understand which deductions you qualify for and how to maximize your benefits. In addition to free tax preparation and assistance services, there are other ways to save money on your taxes.
For example, if you've had a difficult year due to a change of duty station or deployment, enlisting the help of a VITA volunteer could give you more clarity on the most effective way to file taxes. Each company's eligibility rules are different (including AGI limitations) and additional state tax charges may apply. The Department of Defense offers a variety of resources to help members of the military community understand their taxes and take advantage of all available benefits. With the right information and resources, you can make sure that you're taking full advantage of all available benefits when it comes time to file your taxes.
