topic Military Tax File Questions in Tax help for military filers

Military Tax File Questions

Rhyagelle — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:11:14 GMT

Hello,

I am trying to file for my taxes and I'm confused on a lot of the questions asked. The first one is:

Where were you stationed?

Add each state you lived in during 2024 and select the reason for the move.

I went to BCT in a different state (SC) and then AIT in a different state (OK) and am stationed overseas (SK). How do I answer this question?

Re: Military Tax File Questions

BillM223 — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:28:18 GMT

You answer:

Basic Training in South Carolina, Advanced Training in Oklahoma, and now stationed in South Korea. The change in training and station is the reason in each case.

However, the important thing is what state you owe tax to. As an active duty soldier/sailor/airman/marine, your state of record is the one you enlisted in, and you will potentially owe tax to that state until you take active steps to change it. This is true even if you are stationed out of the country. I said "potentially" because some military members will not owe tax because their tax will not reach the limit fixed by that state.

This is why you will hear others talk about making a state like Texas your home of record, because Texas has no personal income tax. However, you won't be able to make a no-tax state your home of record unless you actually live there or have some strong connection to it - you just can't throw a dart to pick it.

Re: Military Tax File Questions

Rhyagelle — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:39:59 GMT

Hello and thank you for responding,

So do I add South Carolina and Oklahoma as a PCS or a TDY/TDA? I know my move to South Korea was a PCS, but I'm not sure what to file the other two as. My state/residence is Kentucky by the way.

I am sorry if this is common knowledge, I've never filed taxes myself before, least of all while in the military. Scared I'm going to mess something up.

Re: Military Tax File Questions

BillM223 — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 23:58:03 GMT

SC and OK sound like TDY, but TDA is not in my DOD list of abbreviations (sorry).

But we are talking about taxes. The IRS and the state of Kentucky don't really care whether it's a permanent change of station or a temporary duty location, so long as you report your income to the IRS and your home state.

Don't sweat it - what you are doing is too important for that.