The members of the armed forces and their families face many challenges and that include filing taxes with the IRS. American military personnel, whether on active duty or reserve service, must follow the country’s general tax rules. IRS made a tax regulation that gives consideration and caters this kind of taxpayers. Sometimes military tax duties are more complicated than those faced by civilians. Most of the time issue of combat affects not only families but also military members’ taxes.
Armed forces have been given special considerations and provided provisions for military tax deadline extensions. It applies to a variety of IRS procedures, such as:
Military personnel can avoid incurring tax penalties and interest in the filing of income tax returns or during extended periods if any of the above actions were taken by the IRS they must contact their legal assistance office.
The above-mentioned issues concerning military taxes, laying down guidelines could make things a lot easier for military personnel are given more flexible rules regarding income tax filing and payment. If you are a member of the U.S. military, the IRS will allow you period extensions in taking care of certain tax matters. Obtaining an extension, however, differs depending on where military taxpayers are stationed.
Tax Extensions for Overseas Deployment
Generally, a military member must meet the April tax deadline like any other civilian taxpayers. But if a member was deployed to other country or overseas during tax filing period, you are automatically granted a 2-month tax extension or until June 15 ― with no paperwork required and no tax payments or penalties assessed. If you cannot beat the extension period, IRS will give you another 4 months extension to file your return. You can file IRS Form 4868 online using the FileLater system by the June date and get an additional 4-month income tax extension or until October 15. This tax filing extension is designed for U.S. military personnel serving in non-combat areas. The extension does not apply for tax payments, as well as the penalties and interest are assessed on taxes not paid by the deadline.
Personnel assigned in domestic base must send federal tax returns and payments to the IRS center that processes materials for that location. When you are stationed in Texas but your permanent residence is in California, you would send your return to the service center for Texas.
Tax Extensions for Combat Zone Service
In a case where a member of the uniformed services to active duty during an official war or a national emergency, you have additional options for tax extensions. You are given is 180 days extension reckoned from the last day that you are in contingency operation area, or from the last day of continuous hospitalization (up to 5 years). The period for tax preparations is additional to the extension period you would have had if you weren't serving overseas. For instance, if your personnel was deployed on March 1, you will have 180 days automatic extensions plus 46 days between March 1 and April 15 resulted to a total of 226-day tax extension. The combat zone filing extensions apply to any or all taxes due, whether from income investments, capital gains, or other sources, and no penalties or interest will be assessed on your taxes during the extension.
The spouses of members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving in a combat zone or contingency operation may also qualify for the same tax extensions. Military tax extension applies only to the time you are serving directly in an active combat zone. If previously deployed to a non-combat area and then moved to a combat zone, your tax extension will only be reckoned from the date you arrive in the combat zone.
These troops are worthy of any extensions applicable to their respective cases, for their jobs are very hazardous and dangerous. They worth more than any penny given to the government for being the first responder in any life risky situations.
