marym
Active member
Tax relief for military personnel is an important benefit that recognizes the unique financial challenges faced by those who serve in the armed forces. Here's a comprehensive guide to tax relief for military personnel:
- Combat Pay Exclusion: Military personnel serving in a combat zone can exclude their pay from income tax. This includes both basic pay and special pay, such as hostile fire pay and imminent danger pay.
- Extension of Filing Deadline: Military personnel serving in a combat zone can also receive an extension of the tax filing deadline. This extension is granted for 180 days after leaving the combat zone or the last day of continuous hospitalization for an injury received while in the combat zone.
- Moving Expenses: Military personnel who are required to move due to a change of station can deduct the cost of moving expenses, including transportation, lodging, and storage.
- Education Expenses: Military personnel who are enrolled in college courses while on active duty or attending college after leaving the service can claim certain education-related tax credits and deductions, such as the Lifetime Learning Credit and the Tuition and Fees Deduction.
- Retirement Benefits: Military retirement pay is taxable, but veterans who are disabled due to a service-connected injury may be eligible for tax-free disability compensation.
- Death Benefits: Survivors of military personnel who die while on active duty or as a result of injuries received while on active duty may be eligible for tax-free survivor benefits.
- Tax Preparation Assistance: The military provides free tax preparation assistance to active-duty service members, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, through programs such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
