Tax Tips for Vetereans
and Members of the Military
Texas CPAs Offer Insight and Tax Benefits

DALLAS — On Veteran’s Day, we remember the heroic efforts and sacrifices made by members of our nation’s military. Those who have served in the armed forces should feel tremendous pride in their heroism. The Texas Society of CPAs believes it is important that they know about the special tax relief available from the U. S. government.

VETERANS’ PAY IS TAXABLE, BUT BENEFITS ARE NOT
Military retirement pay that is based on age or length of service is taxable, and must be included in your income. On the other hand, veterans’ disability retirement payments received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are generally tax free. Veteran’s benefits administered by the department are not includable in income. Veteran’s benefits include:

• Education, training and subsistence allowances paid to veterans or their families.
• Disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid to veterans or their families.
• Grants paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs for homes designed for wheelchair use or for vehicles for veterans who have lost their sight or the use of their limbs.
• Veterans’ insurance proceeds and dividends paid to veterans or their beneficiaries.
• Interest on insurance dividends left on deposit with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Dependent-care assistance benefits.
• Death benefits paid to survivors of military personnel members who died after September 10, 2001.

KEEP YOUR MILITARY RECORDS HANDY
To qualify for many benefits, and to verify your status as a veteran, you may need access to your military records. You can find information on obtaining those records at the Department of Veterans Affairs Web site at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/.

ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY
There are also tax accommodations for those who are currently on active duty in the military. For example, the pay of enlisted personnel and warrant officers serving in combat zones is tax free, as is commissioned officers’ pay up to certain limits. There’s no tax on pay during hospitalization for those who were injured, within certain guidelines, and these soldiers don’t have to file or pay taxes during that time.

Armed forces members who serve in designated combat zones and civilians serving in support of these members, or those who are hospitalized outside the United States as a result of an injury received in a combat zone, have also been given extensions on filing and paying their taxes. They do not have to file or pay taxes until 180 days after their last day in the combat zone or hospitalization. The extension also generally applies to the spouses of military personnel who are serving in combat zones.

More information can be found in IRS Publication 3, “Armed Forces’ Tax Guide,” which is available online. Go to www.irs.gov, then click on “Individuals” and look for “Tax Information for Members of the U.S. Armed Forces.” You can also call the IRS toll free at 1-800-829-1040.

YOUR CPA CAN HELP
For advice on what’s available to veterans, active military members and their families, turn to your local CPA. He or she can provide the answers you need to ensure you or a loved one receive the appropriate tax relief.

SEEK ADVICE FROM A CPA
It’s possible to have fun with your holiday gift giving and still make prudent purchases. Your CPA can help. Ask him or her for more insights into any of the ideas in this article, or about other satisfying ways to make the most of your gift-giving budget.

PERSONAL FINANCE INFORMATION
For additional personal finance tips, visit www.ValueYourMoney.org. While there, sign up to receive a free monthly electronic newsletter with personal finance tips on a variety of topics.

ABOUT TSCPA
TSCPA (http://www.tscpa.org) is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional organization representing Texas CPAs. The society has 20 local chapters statewide and has 28,000 members, one of the largest in-state memberships of any state CPA society in the United States. TSCPA is committed to serving the public interest with programs that advance the highest standards of ethics and practice within the CPA profession.