Military Service Member Tax Deductions and Credits

Military tax deductions and credits

If you are currently serving in the US Armed Forces – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or any active reserve unit – you are allowed special tax considerations for certain items and situations. 

Taxable and nontaxable income 

When it comes to taxable income, there are special rules allowing certain types of pay to be excluded from a service member’s taxable income. The types of income that are taxable are generally referred to as “pay” and include the following: 

• Active duty pay
• Special pay (aviation, diving, foreign duty, hardship duty, hostile fire or imminent danger, overseas extensions, or special duty assignments)
• Reserve training pay
• Bonuses, including those for enlistment, reenlistment, career advancement, or overseas extensions
• Armed Services academy pay
• Accrued leave or mustering-out payments
• Lump-sum payments rendered on separation or release
• Student loan repayment
• Incentive pay (submarine, flight, hazardous duty, HALO)

Nontaxable pay for service members is generally referred to as allowance or assistance and includes:

• Pay for active service in a combat zone or qualified Hazardous Duty Area
• Living allowances, like BAH, BAS, and OHA
• Disability and medical benefits
• Educational assistance
• Legal assistance
• Family separation allowances
• Temporary lodging
• Uniform allowances

It’s worth noting some of the nontaxable items listed above might need to be used to calculate certain tax benefits – for example, excluded combat pay is included in your gross income amount when calculating the allowed IRA contributions, and for the Child Tax Credit, Additional Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and the Credit for Child and Dependent Care expenses. 

Nontaxable Combat Pay 

Combat pay earned by Armed Forces members is subject to a variety of considerations. For example, your combat pay may be excluded from your taxable income each month – as long as you serve in a combat zone at least one day out of the month. Members serving in Hazardous Duty Areas receive combat zone benefits. This includes any bonuses received or disability pay earned due to an injury while in the combat zone. Recent tax regulations added duty in the Sinai Peninsula to the list of Hazardous Duty Areas, so if you’ve served there, or will serve there, between June 9, 2015, and January 1, 2026, you are entitled to these benefits.

Service members who served in the Sinai Peninsula between June 9, 2015, and can amend their tax return to claim a refund for taxes paid on this income.

Can I claim a deduction for a military move? 

Moving for military duty is one of the universal characteristics of Armed Forces service. A move based on orders to a new duty station is referred to as a permanent change of station (PSC) and remains an allowed exclusion from income for service members only. This means the amount of a move paid for by the military is excluded from income and any unreimbursed allowed expenses may be deducted from income.

Claiming a military tax extension 

Claiming an extension for filing a tax return is relatively simple. You can receive an automatic six-month extension by filing Form 4868. If you are unable to file that form, you can still qualify for a two-month extension. If you need time beyond this, you must complete Form 4868 to request another four months in which to file your taxes. However, taxpayers in a combat zone have an automatic extension of the time while serving in, and for six months after leaving the combat zone.

There are many benefits from serving in the Armed Forces, including combat zone death benefits and extended time for tax relief from home sales. While tax regulations have changed some key considerations relating to military service, most of the rules and benefits for members of the US Armed forces have remained in place.

Are haircuts for the military tax-deductible?

No, haircuts for military personnel are considered part of normal grooming and are not tax-deductible.

Is BAH taxed?

No. Living allowances, such as the Basic Allowance for Housing, are not taxable.

Can I deduct military uniforms on my taxes?

No. The option to deduct unreimbursed employment expenses was suspended under tax reform.