If you’re a veteran, you can get free tax prep with the IRS and assistance from other government agencies. On active duty? Find tax information for members of the military. On this page Free tax preparation Excluded benefits from taxable income Tax refunds and credits Scams IRS job opportunities IRS forms and publications in alternate formats Veterans Administration programs IRS partners Free tax preparation You can get free tax prep in these ways: IRS Free File If your adjusted gross income is $79,000 or less, you can file electronically with an IRS Free File software provider. If your income is higher, you can use Free File fillable forms. Find IRS Free File options IRS Direct File If you live in a participating state, e-file your federal tax return directly to us for free with IRS Direct File. In person with an IRS-certified volunteer Get free tax prep help if any of these apply to you: Earn $64,000 or less Have a disability Need language support Military OneSource Use the MilTax software to file federal and state returns for free up to 365 days after military separation or retirement. Find help on other topics on MilitaryOneSource.mil or call 800-342-9647. Benefits excluded from taxable income If you receive certain benefits or compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs, you may exclude them from your taxable income. Disability benefits Don’t include disability benefits you received from the VA in your gross income. Examples of disability benefits include: Disability compensation and pension payments to you or your family Grants for your home designed for wheelchair living Grants for motor vehicles for loss of your sight or use of your limbs Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program Taxable and Nontaxable Income, Publication 525 Education benefits Don’t include Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits in your income. Eligibility for military tax benefits Tax Benefits for Education, Veterans Benefits, Publication 970 Compensation for lump-sum payment Don’t include the 1-time lump-sum disability severance payment from the Department of Defense you received when you separated from the military due to combat-related injuries. If you already paid taxes on this payment, file an amended return to get a refund. Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act Claim information Tax refunds and tax credits Certain refunds and credits can give you money back as a veteran. Refund for VA-granted compensation You may be eligible to claim a federal tax refund if you received: An increased Veteran’s disability percentage from The Department of Veterans Affairs, including retroactive determinations. Combat-related special compensation you were granted for concurrent retirement and disability. If these apply to you file an amended return to get a refund. Earned Income Tax Credit You may get money back with this refundable credit—even if you don't owe tax or aren’t required to file. Earned Income Tax Credit Military rules for the Earned Income Tax Credit Child Tax Credit If you have qualifying children, you may get money back with this credit. Check if you qualify for the Child Tax Credit. Tax Credits for Workers and Families video: Tax credits help veterans and service members make ends meet Scams Be aware of scams that target veterans. Know the signs, find what to do and how to report scams, identity theft and fraud. Tax scams VSAFE website IRS job opportunities If you’re a veteran and have a disability per the VA, you may qualify for IRS jobs and internships under our veterans hiring programs. IRS forms and publications in alternate formats If you have a disability, find accessible forms and publications. If you need help accessing these products, visit forms and publications for people with disabilities. Find help with housing, employment, healthcare, justice- and reentry-related services from VA programs for at-risk veterans and their families. Veterans Administration programs Crisis Line Get help by phone, text or chat with the Veterans Crisis Line. Support is available for you, your family or loved ones 24/7, 365 days a year. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call. At-risk veterans and families Find help with housing, employment, healthcare, justice- and reentry-related services from VA programs for at-risk veterans and their families. Stand Downs The VA and other organizations hold 1–3-day events to provide: food, clothing, health screenings, referrals for health care, housing solutions, employment, substance use treatment, mental health counseling and other essential services. Find upcoming Stand Downs near you. To participate, please contact the VA contact listed. The IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service can help you with free tax preparation, IRS letters, notices and levies on wages or bank accounts. Legal help You may qualify for free legal aid from the Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) program. IRS partners If you represent or work with a veteran’s organization, you can partner with us. We offer: Free tax return preparation Outreach materials such as articles, social media and brochures Email [email protected]. Learn more about the Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication office. Related Taxable and Nontaxable Income, Publication 525 Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities, Publication 907 Veterans.gov Defense Finance and Accounting Service VA-accredited representatives Directory of veterans service organizations Disabled veterans pension income National Coalition for Homeless Veterans National Resource Directory Tax exclusion for veterans education benefits
