Select  the product labeled “Do your own taxes $0  to $129 and select Start for Free.” I’ve done all of these things and the charges are still indicated. Their promotion is misleading and frankly make them look very untrustworthy.

TurboTax features that help maximize your tax refund

Yes, the TurboTax online editions are free for active military enlisted personnel. If you’re serving in the military reserves, you might be able to take early withdrawals from IRA and 401(k) accounts without penalty. To qualify for this exemption, you must have been called to active duty after September 11, 2001 for more than 179 days, and you must make the withdrawal while you are on active duty. TurboTax offers a tool called the Deduction Maximizer, which helps users uncover tax breaks they might otherwise miss.

What Is The Official TurboTax Military Discount?

The Military Wallet and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Get unlimited advice, an expert final review, and your maximum refund, guaranteed with TurboTax Live Assisted Basic. Extensions aren’t the only tax benefits the federal government provides for those who serve in the military. Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger’s advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. You can use the app to snap a pic of your W-2 and other documents and your information will be automatically entered in your return. It’s important to note that the mobile app doesn’t have access to the print center or tax tools.

Extension of filing deadlines for those serving in combat zones

Military.com provides discount information as a service to our members. We make every effort to ensure accuracy but are not liable for the availability of discounts provided by a third party. As an affiliate partner of some discount providers, Military.com may earn from qualifying purchases.

Choosing the Best TurboTax Version for Your Needs

While its free version works well for basic needs, paying for a higher tier can be worth it for the added support if your return is a bit more complicated. The suite of free tax services includes preparation and e-filing software, personalized support from tax consultants and current information about filing taxes. It’s designed to address the realities of military life, including deployments, combat and training pay, housing, rentals and multi-state filings. The federal tax code has specific benefits for members of the armed services that are designed to help offset the extraordinary burden of service and provide additional financial compensation. If you’re serving in the armed forces, it’s important to understand your military tax advantages so you can make the most of them when filing your tax return.

Both rental and self-employment income are common for military members, and TurboTax is set up to handle those situations. Estimate your tax refund, uncover deductions and credits, and more. The Military Wallet and Three Creeks Media have partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products.

Tax preparers can give Servicemember taxpayers expert guidance tailored to military situations. Many of these professionals offer remote services for deployed members. Look for those with military tax experience who understand combat pay exclusions, deployment-related deductions and state tax complexities. Did you know your service might benefit you when filing your state and federal taxes? Active duty service members, veterans, and military spouses are all eligible for a number of military tax deductions that can result in significant savings on your tax bill.

• Military members on active duty outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico qualify for an automatic two-month extension — no need to file Form 4868.
• One standout feature I really like is the ability to import W-2s, 1099s and investment income reports directly from financial institutions.
• So you can start your return and upgrade your version if necessary.

Another benefit of TurboTax Free for Military is that it offers free one-on-one support from a TurboTax expert. This can be invaluable for military members who may have questions about their taxes or who need help navigating the software. The software is completely free for those who qualify, and it includes all of the features of the paid version of TurboTax.

• 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.
• Even though the extension is automatic, military personnel are still required to submit some documents and forms to the IRS in order to file for the extension.
• Additionally, military spouses and dependents are eligible to use the software for free.
• Or, get unlimited help and advice from tax experts while you do your taxes with TurboTax Live Assisted.

Maximizing Your Veterans Benefits: Understanding 100 Percent Disability Ratings

All origination, servicing, collections, and marketing materials are provided in English only. As a service to members, we will attempt to assist members who have limited English proficiency where possible. Military images are used for representational purposes only; do not imply government endorsement. You may also use this tax-refund schedule to find out when can expect your refund.

The free version is designed for simple tax returns and may not cover more complex situations like itemized deductions or certain types of income. While active-duty and reserve military members may be eligible to file their federal and state tax returns for free. There are several benefits to using TurboTax Free for Military. This can save military members and their families a significant amount of money. Additionally, the software is easy to use and is designed specifically for military personnel, so it takes into account the unique tax situations that they may face.

Intuit offers TurboTax online free of charge for enlisted military members, including active duty and Reserve. 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.

Nothing can make up for the hardship of serving in the armed forces. But the government does offer some special tax breaks so that soldiers don’t have to add income taxes to their list of worries. If you serve in the military, here are some of the breaks that you might find helpful for your taxes. Features like document import and deduction-finding tools can help maximize your refund, but it’s important to consider whether you actually need the higher-tier upgrades or expert help.

One of the lesser-known benefits of military service is access to free tax filing and preparation services. When a member of the armed forces is deployed into a combat zone, base pay or re-enlistment bonuses paid during that time period is excluded from taxable income. The housing and food allowances are exempt from state and federal income tax and Social Security tax, although periodic cost-of-living adjustments are taxable. Don’t worry about knowing these tax rules for military members. TurboTax will ask you questions about you and give you the tax deductions and credits you’re eligible for based on your answers.

TurboTax provides guidance on military-specific tax rules, but complex state filings may require an upgraded version beyond the free edition. TaxSlayer has a military deal that allows active-duty military to e-file a federal return for free. Which version you choose depends entirely on the complexity of your return and your needs. H&R Block offers an exclusive $25-off discount for readers of The Military Wallet. I’m happy to see TurboTax take notice of the complexities many of our service members face and create a solution. Let’s take a look at TurboTax features and the details of their military discount.

Three ways to get your taxes done right

Additionally, you must factor in things such as investment income, deductions, tax credits, retirement contributions, rental income, or even running a small business. For example, if you began serving in a combat zone on April 1, you had 15 days until the typical April 15 filing deadline. That means you would have 195 days from your last day of service to file your return and pay any taxes due, or 180 days plus the 15 remaining from April 1 to April 15.

TurboTax will automatically apply your discount when you file your taxes. You can file both your federal and state taxes for free regardless of which online version you use (free edition, deluxe, premier or self-employed). Members of the armed forces follow specific income tax rules, which detail the various types of military pay and allowances included or excluded from gross income for federal tax purposes. Whether you receive training pay or are stationed in an active combat zone, these circumstances can impact your turbotax for military tax filing.