my husband is in the military, and i currently deployed. I have the power of attorney tyo file the taxes, and I dont want to do it on my own, because i have alot of the gear he needed for his deployment and the military said i can tax off all the gear for his deplotment, i just don't lknow how to do it on my own..
yes i know the militart base can help us, but i am staying out of state with my family while he is away, so that is not an option...
so which is the most reliable tax expert place, that doesnt charge hundreds of dollers in fee's
2007-12-31 09:34:46 · 6 answers · asked by Just ME 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Taxes ➔ United States
If you do not have any major property or investments you can try going through Military One Source who provides Turbo Tax software to military families for free. Also Taxslayer online offers free filing services for military, we've used them for several years with no complains. Also, if there is a base around you with a tax center you can use them, it doesn't have to be your husbands base. Outside of those options you are looking at paying a lot in fees to someone else.
2008-01-03 07:51:04 · answer #1 · answered by Magnc84 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You still get all the benefits of being married. He will still receive his BAH and BAS, so don't worry about that. The military realizes that YOU are still there. If you move back home, you will still receive the BAH as though you were living by the base. You still get to go to the PX and Commissary, and you can use the gym and MWR. You should have direct deposit and all that stuff anyway, and if you don't already do it, have him show you how to pay the bills while he is gone. As for the car, your cheapest bet is to have him put it in storage. Most bases have big lots that you can park the car in until he gets home. Contact your insurance company and let them know what is going to be happening. They will drop the insurance payment way down (about 25 dollars a month) since it will be sitting inside a locked lot on a military base. You will still have to make payments on the car, no getting around that, but you can at least cut your insurance rates.
2016-05-28 07:10:54 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only "gear" of your hubby's that can be deducted is things that he purchases with his own funds.
Utility uniforms are generally deductible while dress uniforms, underwear, and PT uniforms are not. Even so, you must deduct the annual uniform allowance payment from the total purchases and can only claim the excess so if he got a $200 uniform allowance and spent $150 on utility uniforms nothing can be deducted.
Addditionally he may not deduct any items that are provided for him by the military since he's not actually paying for them. Nor can he deduct any chargebacks for lost or damaged gear, except possibly as a casualty loss. The rules on casualty losses are such that it's highly unlikely that any of that would be worth claiming unless the amount is huge.
Many GIs purchase extra gear for themselves and this can get tricky though I'd wager that the IRS would look the other way as long as the numbers aren't exhorbitant. The problem is that to be deductible it must be required by the employer and not be provided by the employer. The military is SUPPOSED to provide everything that the troops need but we all know that that isn't the case under the current administration, sadly.
Finally, keep in mind that you have to itemize your deductions to claim any of this. That's only worthwhile if you have enough itemized deductions to exceed your standard deduction. For a married couple, the standard deduction is $10,700. If you don't also own your own home and pay a mortgage on it, it's very likely that you won't be able to claim any of the uniform and equipment expenses at all.
2007-12-31 12:27:45 · answer #3 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I personally would hire a CPA to help you file your income tax return. H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt are not all open year round, and if for some reason there was a problem with your income tax return you would be able to return back to them since most are only open for the tax season.
2007-12-31 09:55:56 · answer #4 · answered by Ms. Angel.. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you meet the income qualifications, a VITA site will do your tax at no charge. To find a VITA site in your area, check with the IRS. Then check first with the site to be sure they have someone certified for military returns - not all of the preparers are certified for military.
2007-12-31 09:41:51 · answer #5 · answered by Judy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you use Turbo Tax - it steps you through the process.
Plus you get an automatic extension to file because your husband is deployed overseas. So you're in no hurry.
2007-12-31 09:40:01 · answer #6 · answered by Prophet 1102 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋