If I was deployed in 2022, should I select the "Worked outside of the U.S." box for uncommon situations?

[ecko_27]

I was only deployed for 3 months.

[xmasbaby0]

No you do not say you worked outside the U.S. for that situation.  You were an active duty member of the military so you are considered to be working within the U.S. as a member of the military, wherever you were deployed to.    If you say you worked outside the U.S. it will start down a path of foreign earned income etc. and you do not want to go there.

[DanaB27]

No, you don’t select the “worked outside of the U.S.” box for uncommon situations.  US military income is always considered to be earned within the US even when stationed outside the US.

If you were deployed to a combat zone, you should have your combat pay listed in box 12 on your W-2 with the code Q. Please make sure it is entered.

If you qualify for the Earned Income Credit then you can elect to include or not include your combat pay to see what is more beneficial.

1. Login to your TurboTax Account 
2. Click on the Search box on the top and type "EIC"
3. Click on “Jump to EIC”
4. Continue "Do you want to include your combat pay in your income?"  and select "Yes" and "Continue", write down your EIC and refund
5. Click "Back" and select "No" and then click "Continue".
6. Compare new EIC and refund with written-down amounts.

Please see  Can I treat my nontaxable combat zone pay as earned income? and What are the qualifications for the Earned Income Credit (EIC or EITC)? for additional information.