Taxes

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.

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.”

See Special Tax Considerations for Veterans

• Care Connect USA – Tax Relief Offers tax compromises, payment plans, innocent spouse relief, and garnishment relief. Telephone: 877-283-8580
• Catholic Charities Catholic Charities provides free tax preparation services.
• Free tax return preparation for Veterans
• H&R Block’s Free File 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
• IRS – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)Get free tax help from Internal Revenue Service, United States Department of the Treasury, IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), and Tax Counseling for the Elderly.
• IRS – Frequently Asked Questions
• IRS – Information for Veterans With Disabilities
• IRS – Proper Reporting Military Disability Retirement Income
• IRS – Taxable and Non-Taxable Income
• IRS – Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities
• IRS – Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
• Military One Source If you are eligible under the Military OneSource program, you can complete, save, and file your federal and up to three state returns online at no cost.
• MyFreeTaxes
• Online Taxes Offers free tax preparation if your Adjusted Gross Income is between $13,000 and $60,000 in 2014.
• Tax Counseling for the Elderly All tax returns completed through these programs are prepared by IRS certified volunteers, so you can feel confident your tax return is accurate.
• TaxAct To qualify for free tax preparation, printing, and 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.
• Tax Guide for Veterans
• Turbo Tax Military Edition
• United Way Silicon Valley Offers free tax assistance to local families and individuals.
• Veterans Property Tax Exemption