I was mobilized to Iraq for 6 months of 2005. Will I get a regular W2 and expect to pay taxes?

Question

I understood that our pay was tax-free since we were deployed in Iraq. What does that mean exactly?

Answer 1

It depends. How many people did you murder while you were there?

Answer 2

You should not owe money to the IRS. My husband did a complete year in Iraq, deploying in February and returning in February. When he filed taxes upon his return he got his normal W2. He just filed for the taxes he did pay in January before leaving. Your pay while in Iraq was tax free, but what you paid into IRS the other 6 months you will file on. Hope that helps.

Answer 3

You will get a W-2 from each place you were employed, and that includes the military. You will be expected to file your taxes as usual. Tax-free pay is just that. That pay that you received while deployed you did not have to pay taxes on, nor will you.

BTW, you should have filed you 2005 taxes already. I hope that you mean 2006.

Answer 4

You will receive a regular W2 from DFAS, but only the money you earned while in-country will not be taxed. All money you earned for the other 6 months will be taxable. If you use a tax service (like H&R Block or TurboTax) look for a question asking where you served (they may ask for either a country like Iraq or an operation like Southern Watch) and for how long.

ALSO, www.militaryonesource.com offers FREE fedeal tax preparations for all active duty, guard and reserve personnel through H&R Block.

Answer 5

Your W2 will have the months spent in Iraq Omitted. Spending 1 night in a tax free zone gives you the entire month tax free. When you do your W2's it will appear you only worked for 6 months.

Answer 6

It mean you are in for one hell of a return. If you did not make much at your day job and if you have kids, you will not pay any taxes. Your money for being in Iraq will not be on your W2. Enjoy your money.