Military Personnel and Income Tax Filing Guidelines
Being a member of the U.
S.
Military does not exempt you from filing taxes, although it may make it a bit more difficult to do so.
If you are stationed abroad or away from your home base, the paperwork requirements can get a little tricky.
Basically, if you are stationed within the United States or Puerto Rico, you have the same right as a civilian taxpayer to file for a tax extension of six months.
If you file the extension request by mail before April 15, any tax you owe must accompany the form.
Remember that an income tax extension gives you the right to file your paperwork late.
Nothing gives you the right to pay late.
If you pay your tax bill by credit card or by authorizing an electronic withdrawal, you need not file the form at all.
While the IRS will not formally notify you of an acceptance of your extension, they will inform you if it is rejected.
One way to guarantee rejection is to file for the extension after April 15.
If you are stationed outside of the U.
S.
or Puerto Rico or are on a tour of duty abroad during the filing period, you are automatically given an additional two months to file.
You don't need to fill out any forms, just submit your income tax return, along with your payment by June 15, instead of April 15.
Be sure, however, to write "Taxpayer Abroad" at the top of your return and attach a statement explaining your international posting.
Again, please note that all extensions are made for paperwork only.
You must have a payment to the IRS by April 15 or June 15, or make arrangements to pay before those deadlines.
Otherwise, you will be charged interest and penalties for unpaid tax.
Where you send your income tax return depends upon where you are posted.
You must send your return and payment to the IRS center that processes returns for your posting.
If you are in California, but your permanent posting is in Texas, you send your return through California.
S.
Military does not exempt you from filing taxes, although it may make it a bit more difficult to do so.
If you are stationed abroad or away from your home base, the paperwork requirements can get a little tricky.
Basically, if you are stationed within the United States or Puerto Rico, you have the same right as a civilian taxpayer to file for a tax extension of six months.
If you file the extension request by mail before April 15, any tax you owe must accompany the form.
Remember that an income tax extension gives you the right to file your paperwork late.
Nothing gives you the right to pay late.
If you pay your tax bill by credit card or by authorizing an electronic withdrawal, you need not file the form at all.
While the IRS will not formally notify you of an acceptance of your extension, they will inform you if it is rejected.
One way to guarantee rejection is to file for the extension after April 15.
If you are stationed outside of the U.
S.
or Puerto Rico or are on a tour of duty abroad during the filing period, you are automatically given an additional two months to file.
You don't need to fill out any forms, just submit your income tax return, along with your payment by June 15, instead of April 15.
Be sure, however, to write "Taxpayer Abroad" at the top of your return and attach a statement explaining your international posting.
Again, please note that all extensions are made for paperwork only.
You must have a payment to the IRS by April 15 or June 15, or make arrangements to pay before those deadlines.
Otherwise, you will be charged interest and penalties for unpaid tax.
Where you send your income tax return depends upon where you are posted.
You must send your return and payment to the IRS center that processes returns for your posting.
If you are in California, but your permanent posting is in Texas, you send your return through California.
