Everybody’s favorite activity – doing their taxes – NOT!

But did you know that disabled veterans may be eligible to claim a federal tax refund based on several options?  And that many organizations offer free tax preparation services for veterans?   Check out the organizations below.

FIND LOCAL HELP

Many of the resources below include zip code locators for specialists in your area.

Know A Vet presents this information and these national resource directories, not as a recommendation of any specific service or provider, but as a starting point for your own research.

In addition, there may be other federal, state and local government or private resources for your individual needs.  A VSO counselor may be able to help you find them.

Start Here – IRS – Special Tax Consideration for Veterans

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/military/special-tax-considerations-for-veterans 

Disabled veterans may be eligible to claim a federal tax refund based on: an increase in the veteran’s percentage of disability from the Department of Veterans Affairs (which may include a retroactive determination) or the combat-disabled veteran applying for, and being granted, Combat-Related Special Compensation, after an award for Concurrent Retirement and Disability. To do so, the disabled veteran will need to file the amended return, Form 1040X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, to correct a previously filed Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ. An amended return cannot be e-filed. It must be filed as a paper return. Disabled veterans should include all documents from the Department of Veterans Affairs and any information received from Defense Finance and Accounting Services explaining proper tax treatment for the current year. Please note: It is only in the year of the Department of Veterans Affairs reassessment of disability percentage (including any impacted retroactive year) or the year that the CRSC is initially granted or adjusted that the veteran may need to file amended returns. Under normal circumstances, the Form 1099-R issued to the veteran by Defense Finance and Accounting Services correctly reflects the taxable portion of compensation received. No amended returns would be required, since it has already been adjusted for any non-taxable awards. If needed, veterans should seek assistance from a competent tax professional before filing amended returns based on a disability determination. Refund claims based on an incorrect interpretation of the tax law could subject the veteran to interest and/or penalty charges. “

Care Connect USA – Tax Relief

Offers tax compromises; payment plans; innocent spouse relief; and garnishment relief.

http://www.careconnectusa.org
Telephone: 877-283-8580

Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities provides free tax preparation services.
http://www.catholiccharitiesscc.org

Free tax return preparation for Veterans; military members and their families
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/16726/free-tax-return-preparation-for-veterans-military-members-and-their-families/

H&R Block’s Free File
https://www.hrblock.com/online-tax-filing/free-online-tax-filing/?msclkid=08f48467c88d11eca31cfcf00f5f4921

Offers free online assistance if you earned $58,000 or less; and if you were 53 years old or younger as of December 31, 2014.

Internal Revenue Service IRS
Telephone: 1-800-829-1040 or 408-282-0179
http://www.irs.gov

IRS – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs. – VITA/TCE Locator

http://irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep/

Get free tax help!  Internal Revenue Service United States Department of the Treasury … The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly …

IRS – Department of Veterans Affairs – Benefits & Services
http://www.vba.va.gov/VBA/

IRS – Frequently Asked Questions
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/military/frequently-asked-questions-regarding-disabled-veterans-pension-income

IRS – Information for Veterans With Disabilities
 https://www.irs.gov/individuals/information-for-veterans

IRS – Proper Reporting Military Disability Retirement Income
  http://www.irsvideos.gov/ProperReportingMilitaryDisabilityRetirementIncome

IRS – Publication 525; Taxable and Non-Taxable Income
 https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525/index.html

IRS – Publication 907; Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities https://www.irs.gov/publications/p907/index.html

IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

Military OneSource
 http://www.militaryonesource.mil/pfm?content_id=268827
Description: Is once again offering a no-cost; electronic tax filing service. If you are eligible under the Military OneSource program; you can complete; save; and file your 2014 federal and up to three state returns online at no cost.

MyFreeTaxes
 http://www.myfreetaxes.com

Online Taxes (OLT)
http://www.olt.com/main/oltfree/default.asp
Offers free tax preparation if your Adjusted Gross Income is between $13,000 and $60,000 in 2014.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE)

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers
Programs are available to taxpayers that earned less than $53,000 in 2014 – may be higher now. Over 3.5 million tax returns were prepared using these services in 2014. All tax returns completed through these programs are prepared by IRS certified volunteers so you can feel confident your tax return is accurate. There are over 12,000 locations where you can utilize these services. To find the closest location near you; simply enter your zip code into the easy-to-use

TaxAct
https://www.taxact.com/
Another IRS Free File option. To qualify for free tax preparation; printing; & e-filing; your adjusted gross income must be $52,000 or less; and you must be between the ages of 18 through 58 years old.

TaxSlayer Military
 https://www.taxslayer.com/military/default.aspx
Is available to all active duty military. You can prepare both your federal and state return for free with TaxSlayer Military Edition.

The Simple Dollar – The Ultimate Tax Guide for Veterans
 https://www.thesimpledollar.com/tax-guide-for-veterans/
For tax purposes, a veteran is an individual who has served at least 24 continuous months in active duty and has not been released with “dishonorable” status upon discharge. Active duty means you’ve served full-time as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, he Environmental Services Administration or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Who Else is Eligible? Spouses of a deceased or disabled veteran, Children of a deceased or disabled veteran, Parents of a deceased or disabled veteran”

TurboTax Military Edition
  https://turbotax.intuit.com/personal-taxes/online/military-edition.jspcreated    
A software program specifically for service members. There is currently a free version for junior enlisted and a discount version for senior enlisted and officers.

United Way Silicon Valley – Earn It! Keep It! Save It! SCC
Telephone: 408-345-4311
   http://www.uwsv.org
Offers free tax assistance to local families and individuals.

Veterans Property Tax Exemption
 http://www.boe.ca.gov/proptaxes/exempt.htm#25

Eligible veterans can receive an exemption on all or part of their property taxes.

See more savings on our Freebie and Discount page.