Free Tax Filing for Military Program Open Now

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For the complete list of free and discounted tax options for military families, see the Military.com Discount Center’s article, Free and Discounted Tax Preparation for Military.

The free tax preparation through Military OneSource is now available for the 2016 tax preparation season.  Eligible Military OneSource users have free use of the H&R Block Tax Cut online program.  You must be a registered user of MilitaryOneSource and login to your account before you may click through to the H&R Block program. Once you link through to the H&R block program, you'll have to also log in or set up an account with them.

Military OneSource is available to active duty, National Guard, and reserve service members and their families.   Eligibility extends for 180 days after discharge or retirement.   Services are also available to medically discharged service members being served under a wounded warrior or seriously ill or injured programs, their immediate family and caregivers, and the non-remarried surviving spouses of deceased service members.  There are also limited services available to Department of Defense civilian expeditionary workers and their families.  If you're not sure if you're eligible, give them a call or check out the full eligibility list.

In addition to access to the tax prep program, Military OneSource offers telephone and email consultations to help with your specific tax situation.  Access to this assistance is through the Military OneSource website or by calling 800-342-9647.

The H&R tax preparation software is designed to handle most basic tax preparation tasks, but may not be adequate to accurately complete more complex tax returns.  Please use your judgement about whether this software is appropriate for your specific tax situation.

Depending on your internet security software, the Military OneSource website may be flagged as insecure.   I can't guarantee that it is safe, but I have been assured by many officials that it is.  I have overridden this notification several times and nothing bad has happened yet.

All the W-2s and 1099s haven't even been issued yet, and tax returns can't be processed until 23 January 2017, so there's no hurry.  But if you're ready to get a head start on your tax return, the free program is available now.

Happy filing!

 

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