Do you have to be active duty military the whole year to get Turbo Tax for free?

[pdbracy]

I ask this question because in "My info" it asked "What was your military status as of December 31, 2025?" What if you left the military on December 30, 2025, well... you won't receive the free version of Turbo Tax. I don't understand why Turbo Tax asked this question. If you check the box "Active duty military" under "What was your military status as of December 31, 2025" another question is asked: "Did you enter or leave the US Armed Forces in 2025?" What?

[Karis_F]

The TurboTax free option is for members of the military who are active duty or reservists with an enlisted rank (E-1 through E-9) and a W2 from DFAS.

There is a question in the My Info section in TurboTax Online that asks What was your highest military pay grade in 2025? This would be your most recent rank in 2025, not the one at the end of the year.  

Checking the box for I left the military in 2025 does not negate meeting the requirement for the free version of TurboTax for members of the military.

Here is a TurboTax article on filing a miliary tax return that may be helpful.

[pdbracy]

That doesn't answer my question.

Lets look at the questions Turbo Tax askes under "My info"

First question:

1. Were you a member or former member of the US Armed Forces (active, reserve, or National Guard) in 2025?

Answer: Yes (I was in the military in 2025)

Next question:

2. What was your military status as of December 31, 2025?

Answer: Former member (Retired, veteran, etc.) - I left the military in 2025, before December 31, 2025

Answering the second question that I'm a "Former member" ends the question and the "free version of TurboTax for members of the military" is not included.

Now, to get to the 3rd question: Did you enter or leave the US Armed Forces in 2025?" you'll need to lie on the second question and and say "Active duty military", Reserves", or "National Guard" and then you can check "I left the military in 2025." That doesn't make any sense when the second question gives a date of 31 December 2025, saying you already left the military in 2025.

[Karis_F]

Because you were just one day away from being in the military for all of 2025, you can indicate in TurboTax that you were active duty military in 2025 and that you left the military in 2025. This way, you will be able to show your pay grade for the year. 

This information does not end up on your tax return and is only there for determining eligibility for military-related benefits and items on your tax return. By completing the questions this way, you will be eligible for the TurboTax military discount.

[SteamTrain]

@Karis_F 

Yeah, TTX really needs to change that question, to ask if they were Active Duty any time during 2025. 

It really needs to be clearer for these folks separating from service during the year

[pdbracy]

I retired from the military on 01 June 2025. Does that still count as being in the military in 2025? I'm just asking because I don't want to click "I was active duty on 31 Dec 2025" and have my return come back as "you lied on your Turbo Tax return and you'll be charged full amount or more".

[SteamTrain]

@pdbracy 

I "think" is OK for you to indicate that you were  Active Duty in the military...and just ignore the on 31 Dec part.....but I'm not a TTX rep.  Then select the button for having left the military during the year.

As far as I know, you just need to have a DFAS active duty W-2 to enter into the tax software.

(true...I don't know perfectly....just ~75% sure)

[pdbracy]

Thank you for that reply, much appreciated!