Active Military Tax Preparation
If you are currently serving in the military as your full-time occupation, or are an active member of the Armed Forces, Nelson & Associates will prepare your taxes for free. It's our way of thanking you for your service.
How Nelson & Associates handles Active Military Tax Preparation
Military pay is taxable like other income, but service members have many special exemptions, exclusions and filing rules. Combat zone pay can be excluded from income, deadlines can be extended while serving in a combat zone, and some moving expenses remain deductible for active-duty members moving under orders.
State residency rules are especially important. Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, service members generally keep their state of legal residence when stationed elsewhere, and military spouses may elect the same state. Florida has no state income tax, so many service members and spouses with Florida domicile owe no state return at all.
Who this is for
- Active-duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force and Coast Guard
- Service members deployed to a combat zone
- Military families relocating under PCS orders
- Military spouses deciding on state residency
- Service members with rental property from a previous duty station
- Reservists and Guard members activated to full-time duty
Everything covered in our Active Military Tax Preparation service
- Federal return preparation at no charge for active-duty members
- Combat zone pay exclusion review
- Earned income credit election for nontaxable combat pay
- Moving expense deduction for PCS moves
- State residency analysis under the SCRA and MSRRA
- Thrift Savings Plan reporting
- Rental property returns from previous duty stations
- Deadline extensions for combat zone service
The paperwork behind Active Military Tax Preparation
| Form W-2 | Military wages, with combat pay shown in box 12, code Q |
|---|---|
| Form 1040 | U.S. Individual Income Tax Return |
| Form 3903 | Moving expenses for active-duty members |
| Form 2848 | Authorize someone to act for you while deployed |
| DD Form 2058 | State of legal residence certificate |
What we’ll need from you
Have these ready and your first meeting goes faster. Missing something? We’ll help you find it.
- Military ID and W-2 from your service
- Leave and Earnings Statements if helpful
- PCS orders and moving receipts
- Spouse's income documents
- Rental property records
- Last year's tax return
How it works, step by step
Contact us
Tell us you're active duty and we'll confirm eligibility.
Send documents
Drop off at our Doral office or upload securely from anywhere.
We prepare
We apply every military-specific benefit you qualify for.
File for free
You review and sign, and we e-file at no cost.
Why clients choose us for Active Military Tax Preparation
Free for active duty
No preparation fee for active-duty service members.
Military rules understood
Combat pay, PCS moves and residency handled correctly.
Anywhere you're stationed
Secure uploads and e-signatures work from any base.
Family support
Help for spouses dealing with taxes during deployment.
Active Military Tax Preparation across the United States
From our Doral office we provide Active Military Tax Preparation to clients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Hover over a state to see its tax profile and the cities we serve; tap it to open the state page.
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Active Military Tax Preparation FAQs
6 answers to the questions clients ask most. Don’t see yours? Ask us directly.
Who qualifies for free tax preparation?
Members currently serving in the military as their full-time occupation, or active members of the Armed Forces. Contact us and we'll confirm your eligibility.
Is combat pay taxable?
Pay received for active service in a combat zone is generally excluded from income, and the exclusion is unlimited for enlisted members. Officers' exclusion is capped.
Do I have to file a state return where I'm stationed?
Generally no for your military pay. Under the SCRA, you keep your state of legal residence. If that is Florida, no state income tax return is required.
Can my spouse keep Florida residency too?
Military spouses may elect to use the same state of residence as the service member for state tax purposes, under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act and later amendments.
What if I'm deployed during tax season?
Combat zone service extends filing and payment deadlines. You can also authorize someone, with Form 2848 or a power of attorney, to handle your taxes while you're away.
Do you offer Active Military Tax Preparation outside Florida?
Yes. Our office is in Doral, Florida, and we work with clients across the United States and abroad through secure uploads, phone and video meetings and e-signatures. South Florida clients are welcome to meet with us in person.
Talk to a CPA about Active Military Tax Preparation.
Your initial consultation is free. Call us, email us or visit our Doral office, and we’ll tell you exactly what you need and what it will cost.