Can Military Spouses and Veterans Use TurboTax for Free?

Even when you’re far from home, you can access most of your important tax information online. Your basic filing requirements also stay the same, but the way you submit your return and the timeframes for doing so may differ. For enlisted members, the exclusion from federal income tax is unlimited. For officers, the exclusion is limited to the maximum amount of enlisted pay.

Many wonder whether TurboTax Free extends to military families and those who have served. While TurboTax does offer free filing for certain service members, eligibility depends on factors like rank, income, and tax complexity. Understanding these details can help military spouses and veterans determine whether they qualify for no-cost filing and what options are available. Each version includes the features found in the previous versions, so you can start your return online for free with one of the lower versions and upgrade as needed. The good news is you don’t have to pay until you file your return.

You also qualify for an extension if you’re hospitalized outside of the U.S. due to injuries sustained in a combat zone or hazardous duty area. At TurboTax, all enlisted active-duty military members and reservists can file their 2024 federal and state taxes for free. This offer is not valid for officers and National Guard and excludes TurboTax Live products. Whether you file your taxes yourself or you’re looking for a tax professional, check out the following freebies and discounts available to military families. Taxes can get complicated — and expensive — for military personnel.

• Veterans can explore IRS Free File, Military OneSource, and VITA programs for no-cost filing assistance.
• Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Live Assisted.
• Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more – straight to your e-mail.
• Typically, you have until April 15 of the current tax year to contribute to a Traditional or Roth IRA for the previous year unless the filing date is extended for a holiday or other reason.

The tool then computes your return to ensure you get every tax deduction or credit you earned. One of the essential parts of filing your taxes is figuring out all the required forms. You need to show your job income (W-2), interest income (1099-INT), proof of health insurance (1095), etc. Simply start your TurboTax Online return and use your military W-2 to verify your rank, and your savings will be applied when you file if you’re eligible. Filing your taxes requires a lot of documents and personal information so make sure to collect everything you’ll need before you get started. The following is a list of some of those necessary records, but if you’re getting outside help, it’s best to call ahead to make sure you’re not forgetting anything.

However, if additional tax credits, self-employment income, or multi-state filing requirements come into play, a paid version of TurboTax may be necessary. Checking eligibility before starting the filing process can help avoid unexpected costs. Military spouses often deal with unique tax situations, including frequent relocations, income earned in different states, and residency status changes due to military moves. The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA) allows spouses to maintain their home state of residency for tax purposes, even when stationed elsewhere.

We encourage you to review the privacy policy or terms and conditions of those sites to fully understand what information is collected and how it is used. Navy Federal does not provide, and is not responsible for, the product, service, overall website content, security, or privacy policies on any external third-party sites. The Navy Federal Credit Union privacy and security polices do not apply to the linked site. Simply start your TurboTax Online return and use your military W-2 to verify rank, and your savings will be applied when you file. Typically, compensation for members of the armed forces includes basic pay such as salary, plus special allowances for housing and food.

If your AGI is below $84,000, you can file your taxes with free software and find free state return options. Use Free File Fillable Forms if your income is greater than $84,000. Many large military installations worldwide offer service members and their families free income tax filing assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) 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.

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During combat zone deployment, your spouse can sign without POA by attaching a statement noting your service location. If you have been deployed or need more time to file your return, then consider filing a tax extension request. If you prefer to do your own taxes, several free options are available to file your taxes online. For example, tax preparation on base is often limited to active-duty members and their families. Eligibility may be extended to National Guard or Reserves members, retirees and their families, and civilian personnel, depending on available resources.

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TurboTax Live allows customers to connect live with a TurboTax Expert via one-way video. You can get personalized, real-time answers to your tax questions at no additional cost and can even schedule a time and date that works best so you can sit down and do your taxes on your schedule. Estimate your tax refund, uncover deductions and credits, and more. You can also prevent such notices from going out by emailing the IRS and providing your name, stateside address, date of birth, and deployment date to the combat zone. Be sure to attach an official document indicating your area of military operation. If you qualify for an extension, your spouse and dependents also qualify.

• At TaxAct, active-duty military can file federal and state returns for free, plus get free expert assistance.
• Typically, compensation for members of the armed forces includes basic pay such as salary, plus special allowances for housing and food.
• Get the most out of your taxes this season with our tips and strategies to maximize military tax deductions for active service members.
• With proper planning, the right resources and support from Navy Federal, you can confidently manage your taxes while serving your country.
• If you’re a USAA member, enlisted members can use TurboTax Online and file taxes for free, and officers can file for free before Feb. 28, 2025.

The discount provider may track how you navigated to their site, but we do not share personal information with them. Simple Form 1040 returns only (no schedules except for Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax turbo tax free for military Credit and Student Loan Interest). The following TurboTax Online offers may be available for tax year 2024. Intuit reserves the right to modify or terminate any offer at any time for any reason in its sole discretion. Unless otherwise stated, each offer is not available in combination with any other TurboTax offers. Certain discount offers may not be valid for mobile in-app purchases and may be available only for a limited period of time.

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A tax filing extension guarantees the taxpayer six additional months to file, with an extended deadline of Oct. 15. The online version offers the flexibility of accessing your tax information from any internet-connected device, with data securely stored in the cloud. You can switch back and forth between TurboTax online and the app seamlessly. Whether you’re Active Duty, Reserve or a Veteran, we invite you to visit Navy Federal’s Tax Center to answer your questions about filing your taxes and maximizing your refund.

TurboTax Offers Military Discount

With the right version and a clear understanding of your needs, TurboTax can make filing your taxes a streamlined and stress-free experience. While TurboTax simplifies the tax filing process, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Before filing with TurboTax, it’s important to know that not all versions are free. There are several discounts and free filing options available for those who qualify.

If you add services like Live or MAX you will be charged for those added services. Whether you file yourself or get expert help, you’ll get your maximum refund guaranteed, or your money back. The company is also investing heavily in AI to help automate filing and catch potential mistakes in real-time. Learn about special tax breaks for Servicemembers and the criteria for making the most of these important deductions. No matter how you choose to file, beware of tax scams that target military Servicemembers. Knowing scammers’ techniques is a great way to avoid pitfalls.

You might need a more premium version if your return is more complicated. TaxSlayer offers free federal and state e-filing for active-duty military personnel, with no income limitations. To access MilTax, log in from the MilitaryOne Source home page. MilTax software is available when the IRS tax season opens (now!), through mid-October.

Some members of the military, including those serving in a combat zone, can postpone certain tax deadlines. TaxSlayer has a military deal that allows active-duty military to e-file a federal return for free. Understanding state tax laws is essential for military spouses, as some may allow exemptions based on the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) and MSRRA. TurboTax provides guidance on military-specific tax rules, but complex state filings may require an upgraded version beyond the free edition.

The Internal Revenue Service offers Free File Fillable Forms for those whose adjusted gross income (AGI) is above $79,000 for the 2024 tax year. This online software is essentially an electronic version of the IRS forms and does not offer assistance like what you’ll find with popular tax software programs, such as Intuit’s TurboTax, H&R Block, etc. Several tax-prep software solutions offer free versions covering basic forms. Some also offer free versions if your adjusted gross income — income after adjusting for applicable tax deductions — is below a certain level. Many software solutions use your W-2 to verify your military status or determine the discount you are eligible for. Some options for filing your taxes for free are available based on income or on the forms you need.

Related Discounts

Military members need a robust tax solution to keep up with complex tax situations. TurboTax can handle your tax needs – and there is a TurboTax military discount. We know that a tax refund can be one of the biggest paychecks of the year, and we want to make it as easy as possible for enlisted military members and their families to get every dollar they deserve at tax time. All features, services, support, prices, offers, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. IRS Free File is one of the easiest ways to request an extension.