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New Member
posted Jun 7, 2019 3:45:17 PM

How to file taxes with a disability severance pay from the military?

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1 Best answer
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:44 PM
24 Replies
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:19 PM

When were you separated and have you applied for (or received) a VA disability rating?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:20 PM

July of 2016 and I did apply for a VA disability rating. I was medically separated.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:25 PM

No VA determination yet?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:26 PM

I have everything done. And VA made a determination last May.

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:27 PM

I need to add the attached sample screens - give me a moment

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:28 PM

Can part of this be done through Turbo Tax or all documentation has to be mailed to the IRS?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:30 PM

You can do all of this in TurboTax but will have to file your return by mail so you can attach the cover letter and VA Award

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:32 PM

So fill it out on TurboTax and print it to file the return by mail? Is that correct? Also what does the cover letter look like?

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:33 PM

I attached a sample "1040X_-_COVER_LTR....)

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:38 PM

Hope this was helpful!

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:41 PM

I'm sorry! I didn't see it. Thank you very much!!!

New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:44 PM
New Member
Jun 7, 2019 3:45:45 PM

This is my first time filing since getting my severance, are you saying that after I do everything online and submit my return through TurboTax, i also have to print it out and mail it to the IRS? Also is there a place to submit my supporting documents online? Or is that why print and send?

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:09 AM

This is my first time filing since getting my severance, are you saying that after I do everything online and submit my return through TurboTax, i also have to print it out and mail it to the IRS? Also is there a place to submit my supporting documents online? Or is that why print and send?

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:12 AM

I have the same exact question as marcydiaz.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:14 AM

Actually, after reading it again, it reads as if you only file your taxes by mail, with the supporting documents, if you are doing an amendment to already filed taxes.  So, If you went and filed your taxes already, but forgot to add in the Separation pay, you have up to three years to file an amendment to your already filed taxes.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:18 AM

Paperwork (documentation) is needed whether you are 'fixing' it on your current year return, or amending a prior year return. You cannot attach supporting documents to an e-filed return - you have to print and file by mail, along with the supporting documents from the VA.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:20 AM

Thank you for the clarification TurboTaxToddL.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:22 AM

Just for some clarification this is saying if I got out in April and got my severance pay taxed then when I fill out my taxes I can get that taxed money back if my injury was service connected?

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:24 AM

Yes, if you received a VA Disability Rating.

If you did not meet the deadline in the above option, then you request the tax money back from the IRS. If you haven’t filed your tax return for the year in which you received the disability severance, you can make the correction on the current tax return. If you have already filed your tax return for the year in which you received the disability severance, you will have to file an amended return. You have three years from the date the original return was due (including extensions) or filed (if later than the due date) to amend your return. In both cases, you enter the correction in the same place.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:24 AM

My husband is in the same situation .   He got his severance pay taxed and did not  request it back from dfas.   He was given a template for what to write to the IRS to request it back.   Does putting in the full severance amount as a negative negate the need to do the letter? Will the full amount they should return be reflected in our tax return amount or will the IRS return additional money?   Thank you.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:26 AM

TurboTaxToddL, do I need a W2 reflecting the severance pay, in order to request the refund from the IRS?

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:28 AM

ablitzd, for us the severance amount was reflected in that years W-2.  So for us he got out in 2017, he had regular income and the severance and the w-2 reflected it all in his earnings.

New Member
Jun 11, 2019 9:27:30 AM

how do we fill out the 1040x that we have to mail back to the IRS?