As Americans prepare for the holidays, the pesky topic of tax filing lurks in the background. The IRS deadline for 2024 taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Luckily, service members and retirees don’t have to navigate it alone since there are so many free resources available.
The Defense Finance Accounting Service (DFAS), the organization that oversees military tax documents, announced its 2024 tax statement release dates, which can be found in the screenshot below. Service members and retirees should login to myPay to access their documents on the available date.
Once you’re ready to begin working on your taxes, one of the first free options to consider for filing is Military OneSource’s MilTax, which is “free for service members, eligible family members, survivors and recent veterans up to 365 days from their separation or retirement date,” according to the MOS website. Software will be available in January 2025. Visit the MOS website for details.
TurboTax is another option, offering free federal and state filing for enlisted members from the active-duty side and reservists (E1-E9); National Guard members are excluded. Visit TurboTax for eligibility details and other customized guidance for military members.
Active-duty military also has the option of TaxSlayer, which allows for free federal filing, covering “all tax situations,” according to its website. However, state returns are an additional cost.
Military installations are another resource, with experts available at centers across the U.S. An online locator can help you find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance center near your base.
If you recently transitioned from the military and are unsure about where to file, or have other questions, check out Military Families Magazine’s previous interview with a certified public accountant, who happens to be a military spouse, on “4 tricks for cushioning taxes when getting out of the service.”
For military spouses confused on residency topics, check out Military OneSource’s rundown of the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, which offers a helpful breakdown of what state you can claim.
