TurboTax Offers Free Tax Filing for Military Active Duty and Reserve

Key takeaways

• Eligible U.S. enlisted active-duty and reserve service members (E-1 through E-9) can file both their federal and state taxes for free through TurboTax Online just by verifying their military status.
• TurboTax supports common military tax situations, like combat pay exclusions, PCS moves, and multi-state filing, so service members and their spouses can file with confidence.
• Through the Intuit Military and Veteran Initiative, TurboTax continues to support military families with financial tools and career opportunities during service and beyond.

TurboTax is committed to creating job opportunities and fueling financial empowerment for military families and veterans with programs woven within the fabric of our company.

That’s why we’re offering free federal and state tax filing through TurboTax Online for U.S. enlisted active-duty service members and reservists (ranks E-1 through E-9). Whether you select TurboTax Free Edition, Deluxe, or Premium, simply enter your military W-2 and confirm your rank, and TurboTax will automatically apply the discount when you file.

We hope this benefit makes tax season a little easier and one less thing on your plate, giving you and your family more time to focus on what matters most.

Who is eligible for free tax filing?

This free filing offer is available to U.S. enlisted active-duty and reserve service members with ranks E-1 through E-9 who receive a W-2 from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS). Eligible service members can also include a spouse on a joint return, even if the spouse is not in the military.

The offer does not apply to:

• Commissioned officers
• Warrant officers
• Retirees 
• Veterans who are no longer on active duty
• National Guard members unless they are serving under qualifying active reserve orders through DFAS

What TurboTax offers active military members

Qualifying service members receive free federal and state tax filing through TurboTax Online, including access to any standard Online product such as Free Edition, Deluxe, or Premium. 

TurboTax is built to support common military tax situations, including:

• Combat pay exclusions
• Basic housing and subsistence allowances
• Permanent change of station (PCS) moves 
• Multi-state residency issues

The platform guides users through deductions and credits tied to service-related income and transitions, helping ensure nothing is overlooked.

“Military members are so busy with their military duties and have unique situations and tax breaks specific to the military like combat pay exclusion, moving expense, uniform, reservists travel, job search expense deduction, and multi-state issues. In proud support of military members service, active duty military, reservists, National Guard E-1 – E-9 get special guidance and free federal and state tax filing using TurboTax online and unlike other tax companies, your military state taxes are free”, said CPA and Tax Expert with TurboTax, Lisa Greene-Lewis.

How active military members can access free filing

1. Go to the TurboTax Online site and start a return using any of the standard Online products (Free, Deluxe, or Premium). 

2. When prompted, enter your DFAS W-2 and correctly verify your military status and pay grade (E-1 through E-9). 

3. TurboTax will detect the eligibility and automatically apply the “military discount,” reducing your cost to $0 for both federal and state returns.

Frequently Asked Tax Questions for military filers

Do I have to pay taxes on combat pay?

Combat pay is generally excluded from taxable income, which means it won’t count toward your federal income tax. However, you can choose to include it when calculating certain tax credits (like the Earned Income Tax Credit) if it benefits your refund.

How do I file if my spouse and I live in different states?

Military spouses often qualify for protections under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA), which allows them to keep their home-state residency for tax purposes even if the service member is stationed elsewhere. TurboTax helps determine state-residency rules for both spouses so you file correctly.

What documents should I have ready before I start?

When you get ready to file, you’ll want to have the following documents available:

• Your military W-2
• Any additional income documents (such as civilian employment, non-military spouse income, or investment income)
• Last year’s return 
• Records for deductible expenses like moving costs, education, or childcare

TurboTax’s commitment to military families

The Intuit Military and Veteran Initiative is part of our commitment to help transform the lives of military families and veterans through jobs and financial empowerment. By building on a foundation that includes hiring talented veterans and making philanthropic donations, we are growing stronger relationships with military members, their spouses, and veterans to ease the transition into civilian life. Providing job opportunities and educating veterans on starting a small business is all in service to powering prosperity around the world.

In service and beyond, our goal is to meet service members and their families where they are by reducing everyday financial barriers and providing practical, real-world support. 

Ready to file for free?

You already take care of everything else. Let us help with taxes. Eligible enlisted service members and reservists can access free federal and state filing through TurboTax Online, with built-in guidance for combat pay, PCS moves, and multi-state residency. There’s no promo code to enter; just enter your DFAS W-2, verify your military status and leave the rest to TurboTax!