October 15 Federal Tax Extension Deadline Approaches
For military members, service often involves deployments, frequent moves, and complex schedules that can make meeting deadlines a challenge, and tax deadlines are no exception.
October 15 Federal Tax Extension Deadline Approaches
Many service members and families find it necessary to file for an extension, pushing their deadline from the traditional April 15 to October 15. Some file the extension and find themselves waiting until the last minute to file their income tax forms. But until that deadline passes, it is not too late to get help with filing your income tax forms.
Tax Extension Deadlines Versus Tax Payment Deadlines
If you filed an extension for federal income taxes, the October deadline can make it easier to gather and file your taxes, but you aren’t given a full “pass” on your taxes during the extension. What does this mean?
While this extension provides valuable extra time, it is an extension to file, not an extension to pay. Fortunately, several free resources remain available to help service members navigate filing their taxes during this extension period.
The October 15 deadline is a firm date for most taxpayers who requested an automatic six-month extension. Missing this deadline can lead to penalties and interest charges on any unpaid taxes.
The Department of Defense and the IRS provide robust, cost-free services that continue to operate through the extension period, ensuring that those who need extra time are not left without support.
RELATED: Free Tax Support for Military Members
MilTax from Military OneSource
MilTax is a service provided through Military OneSource and the Department of Defense. MilTax offers tax preparation software and support from tax consultants.
The service is available to active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve members, their immediate families, and eligible surviving spouses. The MilTax software is specifically tailored to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat pay and moving expenses.
For extension filers, MilTax is a particularly reliable option because its services remain fully operational throughout the year.
The online tax software and the professional consultants are available up to the October 15 deadline. There are no reduced services or hours; it is a year-round program designed to accommodate the schedules of service members.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
Another excellent resource is the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. VITA sites provide free basic tax return preparation, and many are located on or near military installations with volunteers trained in military tax issues.
The primary eligibility requirement is for filers who generally make $64,000 or less. The volunteers are certified by the IRS and provide in-person assistance, which is helpful for those with complex questions.
The availability of these volunteer-run centers often decreases significantly after the April tax deadline. Many sites operate only from January through April and then close or offer substantially reduced hours for the rest of the year.
Extension filers should call ahead to their local VITA site to confirm its operational status, hours, and whether an appointment is necessary. Availability is not guaranteed, so verifying this information in advance of the October 15 deadline is crucial.
According to IRS.gov, VITA sites are “generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations across the country. To locate the nearest VITA or TCE site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887.”
IRS Free File
The IRS Free File program is a partnership between the IRS and several commercial tax software companies offering free online tax preparation and filing. Its Guided Tax Software is available to taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $79,000 or less, with some partners offering products to military members with no income limit.
To access these military-specific offers, members must use the portal on the IRS Free File website.
Like MilTax, IRS Free File is fully functional for those filing under an extension. The online tax software provided by the partner companies remains available for the current tax year until the October 15 filing deadline has passed.
The service is not altered or reduced for extension filers. It provides the same way to e-file a federal tax return at no cost.
RELATED:
- Federal Tax Benefits for Disabled Veterans
- State Tax Benefits for Veterans
- Military Tax Resources and Services
- How Do I Apply for Armed Forces Tax Benefits?
About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
