Salute to Spouses Blog

We're excited to be blogging about the latest topics in military life. We want to keep you informed on topics such as current events, education, career advice, etc. Feel free to post comments or questions to any of our entries.
Free Tax Filing Service For Military Families

It is tax time again! Want to save yourself the cost of purchasing software to configure your taxes? Head online to www.militaryonesource.comwhere you can use the software for free. H&R Block offers free online tax filing services on the site to military families. Just go to the Military OneSource site and click on the tax service page. It will ask you to log on to Military OneSource, so if you have not signed up as a member of the site, do so now. Then it will direct you to the tax preparation software.

Things to know as you prepare your tax return:

  • Questions? Call 1-800-342-9647 and ask to speak to a Military OneSource tax consultant. They are available seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. Send questions via email to TaxQuestions@militaryonesource.mil
  • Military members can print out a W2 before it is mailed by visiting the MyPay site at https://mypay.dfas.mil. You will need your PIN number to access your W2 form.
  • If your military member is deployed you must have a power of attorney from the IRS to file for them. Use IRS Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative, found at www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2848.pdf
  • The IRS has a specific document with detailed tax information for military members at www.irs.gov/publications/p3/index.html

The IRS will extend filing deadlines for military members for these reasons:

  • The service member is serving in a combat zone and receives hostile fire or imminent danger pay. The deadline for tax filing is 180 days after their last day in the combat zone or hazardous duty area. For a list of combat zones, visit www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108331,00.html
  • If the service member is hospitalized outside of the U.S. as a result of injuries suffered in a combat zone they also have 180 days after their discharge from the hospital to file. 
  • Commands should notify the IRS of combat zone deployments but you can also notify the IRS of your status. Email the deployed member’s name, stateside address, date of birth and date of deployment to combatzone@irs.govor call the IRS main helpline at 800-829-1040.
  • If the IRS sends a notice regarding a collection, return it to the IRS with the words, “Combat Zone” and the deployment date written in red at the top of the notice so the IRS will suspend the action. Write, “Combat Zone” outside the envelope too. 
$6,000 SCHOLARSHIP
For Military Spouses
Apply for the Salute to Spouses scholarship today and begin your education! You’ll be on the way to your dream career.
BLOG CATEGORIES
MONTHLY ARCHIVES

Salute to Spouses Scholarship Recipients

© 2013 SALUTE TO SPOUSES ALL RIGHTS RESERVED