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Home > Tax Tips > Tax filing related resources for military members and families
Published:   |   Last Updated: December 3, 2025

TAS Tax Tip: Tax filing related resources for military members and families

Tax Filing Resources for Military Members and Families

Military Tax Help

As filing season approaches, the Taxpayer Advocate Service wants to remind military members and their families about available free tax filing related resources. These resources include tax preparation and electronic filing options, personalized support from tax consultants, and more.

MilTax

MilTax, a program delivered through the Department of Defense’s Military OneSource program, offers free online tax preparation and electronic filing for all members of the military, including some veterans who have separated within the last year. Eligible taxpayers can e-file a federal tax return and, in certain instances, file up to three state tax returns for free, regardless of income.

MilTax’s consultants can help with tax situations specific to service members and their families, such as:

  • deployments;
  • combat and training pay;
  • housing and rentals;
  • multistate filings;
  • serving overseas, and more.

MilTax is available mid-January through mid-October.

IRS Free File federal tax return filing options

Additionally, once filing season opens, generally in January, veterans, military members and their families have the following IRS options for preparing and e-filing their federal tax returns for free.

  1. IRS Free File software: can be used if your adjusted gross income (AGI) was $84,000 or less in 2024. If you file jointly, your combined AGI cannot exceed this threshold to use Free File.
  2. Free File Fillable Forms: can be used by all taxpayers, regardless of income. Note: Taxpayers who choose this option should be able to prepare a paper tax return using IRS forms, instructions, and publications, if needed. There is no tax preparation guidance and only limited calculations are provided.

Other free tax preparation and filing options

Those who meet income or age restrictions may get free tax return preparation help from volunteers through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

Some of these tax preparation sites are even located on military installations during the filing season. To find the nearest VITA or TCE site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.

Before going to a VITA or TCE site, see Publication 3676-B for services provided and check out What to Bring to ensure you have all the required documents and information that volunteers will need to help you.

Note: Available services can vary at each site due to the availability of volunteers certified with the tax law expertise required for your return.

More resources

Visit the Taxpayer Advocate Service’s Get Help center for a list of tax topics to assist you with resolving many tax related issues.

For more updates from the Taxpayer Advocate Service, visit the news and information center to read the latest tax tips, blogs, alerts and more.