Free Tax Return Preparation For Veterans Military Members And Their Families
Earlier this week, the Internal Revenue Service started accepting electronically filed tax returns as well as paper returns. The IRS reminds taxpayers that filing electronically is the most accurate and safest way to file a tax return, as well as the fastest way to get a refund.
The following links to free tax preparation services will ensure current and former members of the military and their families have access to free tax preparation and electronic filing services to keep more of their hard earned money.
- IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs are available to taxpayers that earned less than $53,000 in 2014. Over 3.5 million tax returns were prepared using these services in 2014. All tax returns completed through these programs are prepared by IRS certified volunteers so you can feel confident your tax return is accurate. There are over 12,000 locations where you can utilize these services. To find the closest location near you, simply enter your zip code into the easy-to-use VITA/TCE Locator.
In addition to free tax preparation and assistance services like VITA, TCE and MyFreeTaxes, there are several other options qualifying Veterans and military families can utilize free of charge. However, please make note of additional eligibility requirements and be advised not all are available in your particular location. Check each for more information on eligibility and availability of services.
Veterans Justice Outreach Program
The aim of the Veterans Justice Outreach program is to avoid the unnecessary criminalization of mental illness and extend incarceration among Veterans by ensuring that eligible, justice-involved Veterans have timely access to Veterans Health Administration services, as clinically indicated. VJO specialists provide direct outreach, assessment and case management for justice-involved Veterans in local courts and jails and liaison with local justice system partners. For legal assistance, visit State Side Legal’s help page or contact the nearest VJO specialist, who may know of community legal assistance resources.
Aarp Others Offer Free Tax Prep Help To Veterans Military And Families
As we inch closer to the April 15 tax deadline, AARP Foundations Tax-Aide is among the programs aimed at helping the military community and others file their state and federal tax returns. Tax-Aide is free and available to all Veterans, military personnel and their families regardless of age or whether they are AARP members.
In this new environment of COVID, Tax-Aide has instituted a range of tax preparation assistance models that can help Veterans, those currently in the military and others, said Lynnette Lee-Villanueva, vice president and national director of AARP Foundation Tax-Aide. From safely delivered in-person service, virtual assistance and hybrid options we are here to help.
The nationwide tax help program is geared toward people 50 and older or those who have low to moderate incomes, but Tax-Aide is open to anyone free of charge. AARP membership isnt required to take advantage of Tax-Aides knowledgeable volunteers, nor will there be any sales pitch for other services.
If youd like to look for an appointment to receive tax filing assistance from AARP Foundations Tax-Aide, .
Due to the pandemic, Tax-Aide availability is limited this year. Other programs offering free tax help include Tax Counseling for the Elderly , Volunteer Income Tax Assistance , IRS Free File and MilTax.
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Programs For Homeless Veterans
VA’s specialized programs for homeless Veterans serve hundreds of thousands of homeless and at-risk Veterans each year. Independently and in collaboration with federal and community partners, VA programs provide Veterans with housing solutions, employment opportunities, health care, justice- and reentry-related services and more. Learn more about these programs at VA Programs for At-Risk Veterans and Their Families.
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless can call or visit their local VA Medical Center or Community Resource and Referral Center where VA staff are ready to help. Many CRRCs offer free tax preparation services. VA and other organizations work together through neighborhood Stand Downs to help Veterans who are homeless. The IRS attends many Stand Down events and provide services such as help with IRS letters, notices and levies on wages or bank accounts as well as free tax preparation. Also, the Taxpayer Advocate Service often attends to ensure that every Veteran is treated fairly.
Free Tax Prep For Veterans
Free tax preparation is an easy, cost-effective, untapped resource for most Veteran serving organizations. Some Veterans do not file their taxes because they believe they dont have enough income to do so and are unaware of tax credits and other potential benefits to filing. While others may be paying way too much to have their taxes filed when they could be receiving this service for FREE.
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Military Installation Tax Centers
Many large military installations worldwide offer service members and their families free income tax filing assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program which is sponsored by the IRS. 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.
Visit Military.com’s Base Guide to contact your local installation for more information about location of tax centers, hours of operation, scheduling appointments, and necessary documentation.
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. for the list of participating Exchanges.
Filing Taxes As A Veteran
Being prepared well in advance is one of the best ways to enhance your chances of great success with free tax filing for Veterans. Many people are using this season to get organized and to plan ahead, making it easy to take advantage of free tax filing for Veterans programs. Tax filing assistance for Veterans is available, but given how backed up the IRS is and how busy these programs will get closer to April 15th, its good to get a head start by pulling together all your documents now.
Read on to learn more about some of the best tips for free tax filing for Veterans and what to do to increase your chances of getting the maximum tax return in a timely manner.
Bear in mind that submitting paper returns is not recommended in 2022 because the IRS is overwhelmed with paper. The earlier you can submit your return with the appropriate documents digitally, the higher your chances of getting your refunds quickly.
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Tips On Tax Help Free Filing Options For Veterans Servicemembers And Families
Editors note: This article by Jim Absher originally appeared on Military.com, a leading source of news for the military and veteran community.
Why pay for tax preparation and filing software when you don’t have to? Free tax preparation services are once again available to active duty members, retirees, veterans, and even their families.
Free And Discounted Tax Preparation For Military
Tax season is here again. And while filing for tax returns can be tricky for the average family, it can get even more complicated for military families.
Thankfully, military personnel and their families have access to a variety of tax preparation and filing services for free or discounted prices. Whether you choose to file taxes yourself online or you prefer some outside assistance from a trained professional, there are a several free and discounted options to choose from.
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Free Online Tax Software
Online free tax preparation offers a convenient and reliable way to file your taxes.
If youre comfortable using computers and confident preparing your own taxes, consider using a free online tax software.
MyFreeTaxes is an easy online tool that helps you file your taxes for free. The site offers free step-by-step guidance to filing taxes as well as help through an online chat. Tax filing is free for both federal and state tax filing.
MyFreeTaxes offers a broader range of tax forms than most VITA sites. However, you cannot use this site if you have self-employment income. If youre not comfortable using the website on your own, ask someone you trust to help you.
Another free online option is Free File Alliance, a suite of programs in partnership with IRS. You can find Free File programs on the IRS website. If you choose to use one of these programs, read the fine print carefully. Each program has slightly different criteria for their software. In addition, some companies offer free state tax returns, while others dont.
Who Is Eligible For Free Tax Preparation
The Military OneSource tax resources are available to members of the Army, Navy, Space Force, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and National Guard serving under Title 10 orders.
Retired and honorably discharged members within 180 days of separation, as well as spouses, dependent children and survivors are also eligible.
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File Taxes Free With Turbotax
IntuitsTurboTax is intuitive, easy to use and takes you step-by-step through your return, including various types of income, deductions, tax credits and more.
The TurboTax Free file program supports IRS forms 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ. TurboTax also offers free tax returns for all enlisted military members.
H& R Block is easy to navigate and use.
The H& R Block onlines free program guides you through a simple, standardized federal tax return to help ensure your taxes are done correctly. You might need a more premium version if your return is more complicated.
Enlisted Active Duty And Reserve Military Can Enjoy Turbotax Online For Free
In honor of our nation’s military personnel, all enlisted active duty and reserve military can file free federal and state taxes with TurboTax Online using the TurboTax Military Discount. The #1 best-selling tax software, TurboTax easily handles military tax situations including:
- Military and civilian incomeincluding combat pay, BAS and BAH
- Military-related expensesTurboTax will find every deduction you deserve
- Completed a PCSTurboTax will determine your state of residence
Simply start your TurboTax Online return and use your military W-2 to verify rank, and your savings will be applied when you file. Get started today for free.
Let an expert do your taxes for you, start to finish with TurboTax Live Full Service. Or you can get your taxes done right, with experts by your side with TurboTax Live Assisted.File your own taxes with confidence using TurboTax. Just answer simple questions, and well guide you through filing your taxes with confidence.Whichever way you choose, get your maximum refund guaranteed.
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Connect With Military Tax Consultants
If you have questions, enlist free one-on-one help from MilTax experts: tax pros with special training in military-specific tax situations. Call or chat anytime 24/7 to schedule a consultation, or get in person support at a Volunteer Income Tax Support Assistance office location.
VITA support may also be available elsewhere in your state but is not available in every state or location.
Talk to a Tax Pro
Free Tax Filing For Veterans
Posted in Uncategorized on February 6, 2018
As tax season kicks off, youre probably starting to think about how you are going to file, what documents you will need and what kind of tax refund you could potentially see. Members of the military and veterans often face a more complicated process, handling unique elements such as combat pay, deployment, disability payments and multi-state filing.
The good news is that for military members and veterans, you are not only eligible for free tax preparation assistance, but many providers now offer a specialized understanding of military and veteran life.
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Real Tax Experts On Demand With Turbotax Live Basic
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The above article is intended to provide generalized financial information designed to educate a broad segment of the public it does not give personalized tax, investment, legal, or other business and professional advice. Before taking any action, you should always seek the assistance of a professional who knows your particular situation for advice on taxes, your investments, the law, or any other business and professional matters that affect you and/or your business.
Free Tax Return Preparation For Veterans
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify — and they want to be sure that eligible local veterans also benefit frm this service.
VITAThe VITA Program generally offers free tax help to people who make $50,000 or less and need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals in local communities. They can inform taxpayers about special tax credits for which they may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and VITA sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and other convenient locations.
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Tax Filing For Veterans
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Internal Revenue Service entered into a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at ensuring that military members and veterans receive free tax preparation services. Subsequently, there are numerous ways that you can access services, both in-person and online, to make the most of this benefit.
Military Onesource Resources For Transitioning Service Members And Families
Military OneSource is a program funded by the Department of Defense that provides a range of free resources for Veterans and their immediate family up to 365 days after separation or retirement from the military. MilTax, Military OneSources tax services, provides online software for eligible individuals to electronically file a federal and up to three state returns for free through the Military OneSource website. The service also includes tax consultants available by phone to answer tax questions related to deployment, multi-state filing, and combat pay. They also share information on military-specific and civilian tax deductions and credits.
Military OneSource is available 24/7 at and online at MilitaryOneSource.mil.
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Free Tax Preparation For Military And Their Families
Most military bases offer free tax prep and filing assistance during the tax filing season, some even extend assistance past the filing deadline!
These services are typically staffed with Military VITA-certified employees and receive training on military tax issues, like tax benefits for service in a combat zone. They can help with special extensions of time to file tax returns and to pay taxes or with special rules that apply to the Earned Income Tax Credit.
If you prepare your own tax return you may qualify to e-file their federal return for free using IRS Free File if your income in 2021 was below $73,000.
All military members and qualifying veterans can use MilTax, its a free tax service from the Department of Defense and Military OneSource.
Helping Veterans Remove Barriers
Providing this free resource onsite allows Veterans access to prepare their taxes while overcoming multiple challenges many Veterans face such as transportation, fear of certain social settings, identification of reliable, trusted resources and other barriers they may encounter outside of a Veteran serving organization. Onsite free tax prep education and services may provide Veterans access to refunds allowing them to save money for the removal of personal barriers to employment and stable housing.
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program
Military members, including retirees, are eligible to receive free tax consultation and preparation at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance locations.
Take command of your taxes. The VITA program, offered through the Armed Forces Tax Council, provides coordinators for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard. VITA specialists are trained to address military-specific tax issues such as combat-zone benefits and applying Earned Income Credit guidelines. They oversee the operation of military tax programs worldwide and serve as the main IRS outreach for military personnel and their families. The VITA locations listed are on military installations but VITA support may not be available in every state or at every installation.
Free Tax Service On Base Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Most major military installations offer a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance office, and there are also VITA locations off site in many communities.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Guardians, as well as their families are eligible to receive this free tax-preparation assistance through VITA.
Reservists, Guardsmen, retirees and some civilian personnel may also be eligible, depending on the location and available resources.
Participating VITA sites provide free tax advice, preparation and assistance. Volunteers are trained to deal with military tax situations, including:
VITA sites are IRS-certified and are usually supervised by Certified Public Accountants .For more information, contact your base VITA or information office or visit the IRS website.
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Why Free Tax Preparation In A Veteran Serving Facility
- Department of Veterans Affairs has committed to promoting free tax preparation option to Veterans and their families through a Memorandum of Understanding with the IRS, naming NDI as a partner in this endeavor.
- VAs Blog: VA and Free Tax Preparation