Hello fellow redditors, a bit of a niche question here. If I join the military and get deployed, what steps do I need to take to get a tax extension? Can anyone explain the process? Cheers!
Hello! Great question. If you're deployed in a combat zone or a qualified hazardous duty area, the IRS grants military personnel certain tax extensions automatically.
1. Filing and Payment Extensions: The deadline for filing tax returns, paying taxes, filing claims for refund, and taking other actions with the IRS is automatically extended. This applies to both the service member and their spouse.
2. Length of Automatic Extensions: The extension is for 180 days after the later of: the last day you're in a combat zone/qualified hazardous duty area or the last day of any continuous qualified hospitalization for injury from service in the combat zone/area.
3. Notifying the IRS: To notify the IRS of your status, write "COMBAT ZONE" and your deployment date in red at the top of your tax return, or notify your tax preparer.
Remember to keep documentation about your overseas deployment with your tax records. This includes any official orders, receipts, travel vouchers, etc. Correct and timely filing can help you avoid any potential issues with the IRS down the road.
As always, it's a good idea to consult a tax professional or someone in the personnel office for help with your specific situation. Military bases often have tax preparation services available at no charge.
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