I Was in the Military and Need to File Prior Year Taxes

Were you deployed during tax season and didn’t file taxes? If you were in the military and missed filing prior year taxes, it’s not too late.

If you were deployed and missed filing taxes, don’t worry. In fact, tax deadlines are extended for many of those in the military. Not to mention, the deadline extensions for taxes already due apply to spouses of military members as well. This means, you (and your spouse) may think you’re filing late taxes when in reality, you’re not.

It’s important to note that U.S military personnel are not exempt from filing and paying taxes. If you were in the military (or even if you weren’t), your late tax returns can be filed on PriorTax for both federal and state taxes.

Two Month Extension for Overseas Deployment

Were you on overseas deployment? You still have to file taxes but at least you’ll have a two month extension! Here is some information worth knowing:

• If you are stationed outside the US or Puerto Rico or you are abroad throughout the entire tax filing period, you automatically have a two month tax extension.
• The two month extension requires no extra paperwork.
• When filing the return be sure to write” Tax Payer Aboard” at the top of the 1040.

If Two Months isn’t Enough Time

If two months is not enough time, it’s best to know this information regarding the 4868 form:

• Military personnel can file a tax extension with the 4868 form which will allow the tax deadline to be postponed six months.
• Form 4868 must be filed before the April tax deadline via mail, internet or phone.
• The deadline for filing late taxes will be in October (six months after the tax filing deadline).

Combat Zone Service Tax Extensions

• There is a 180 day extension from the last day in combat zone or an area of hazardous duty.
• There is an extra extension (for you and your spouse) in addition to the 180 days for the number of days in combat zone before the tax deadline. For example, if you entered combat zone on April 8^th, it would be seven days before the tax deadline; therefore you would add seven days to the 180 day tax extension.
• If you or your spouse were hospitalized outside of the US due to injury from the combat zone or hazardous zone, the deadline will be 180 days from the discharge date.

Other Military Tax Filing Tips

• If you are stationed in a state other than where your permanent residence is, you and your spouse may file with the state of residency.
• If you have received a tax notice, you can call or e-mail the IRS regarding your situation. The notice will most likely be deferred.

If you haven’t filed prior year taxes, you won’t have to pay any interest or penalty for filing taxes late for the time during your extension period. However, it’s better to file your prior taxes sooner than later. Whatever the circumstance may be, PriorTax is here and more than happy to help you file your tax return!

 

Photo via  DVIDSHUB on Flickr

 

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 7th, 2013 at 7:43 pm and is filed under Taxes for Prior Years. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.