By Lisa Ferdinando, DoD News, Defense Media Activity
The Department of Defense’s Military OneSource program has launched free tax software to help military members and their families complete their tax returns.
Erika Slaton, program analyst for Military OneSource, said the MilTax software, which is available through the Military OneSource website at MilitaryOneSource.mil/TaxPrep, can assist military families through a variety of filing scenarios.
“Service members and their families have unique tax filing situations,” Slaton said. “There are frequent moves, deployments or multistate filings. There are a host of considerations that military members and their families face.”
The tax software allows users to submit a federal tax return and up to three state tax returns at no cost.
Tax Experts Available in Person or Over the Phone
If military members or their families have questions, they can call a Military OneSource tax expert at 800-342-9647. In-person tax assistance is available on military installations with a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance location. Go to MilitaryOneSource.mil/Vita-Location-Lookup to find the nearest location.
“Because these tax consultants are knowledgeable of the military community, they’ll be able to help service members and families connect the dots in helping them to complete their return,” Slaton said.
“In addition to helping with complicated filing scenarios, the free services also come in handy because the tax laws change each year,” noted Slaton. She added that the services are secure, confidential and have a 100 percent accuracy guarantee by the software provider.
This year, the tax deadline is April 17 because the normal April 15 deadline falls on a Sunday and the following day is Emancipation Day, an official holiday in the District of Columbia.
Eligible for Free Tax Services
Slaton said Military OneSource tax resources are available to members of the National Guard, Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, as well as Coast Guard members serving under Title 10 authority. Other eligible personnel include retired and honorably discharged members up to 180 days past their separation, as well as spouses, dependent children and survivors.
For more information on eligibility, people in the U.S. can call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 or visit the website. The site also provides calling options for people living overseas.
Military OneSource offers a host of free and confidential resources to support the military community. The program has the singular mission to support service members and their families, Slaton said, noting the recent launch of the “Our Promise to You” initiative.
“Our promise is to be that one source that stands ready to assist the military community – giving service members and their families the expert support and information they need,” she said.
Military OneSource’s website resources cover areas such as family and relationships, moving and housing, education and employment, and financial matters.
