Free Tax Prep for Veterans (Stop Paying to File)
The IRS runs free, in-person tax prep sites all over the country, and there's free military tax software too, so a lot of veterans are paying $150 to $400 to file a return they could have done for nothing.
The simple version
Filing your taxes doesn't have to cost you anything. The IRS trains and certifies volunteers to prepare and e-file returns for free through a program called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). It's for people who generally make about $67,000 or less, anyone with a disability, and folks who need language help, so most rated veterans qualify on more than one count. If you separated or retired within the last year, you also get MilTax, free do-it-yourself software built for military life, with no income limit at all. Either way you keep the fee. And one thing worth knowing before you sit down: your VA disability compensation is not taxable and does not go on your return at all. Here is exactly how to file for free.
Do this today
1. Decide which free option fits you (2 minutes).
Two separate free programs, pick the one that matches you:
- VITA is free in-person (or drop-off/virtual) help from IRS-certified volunteers. It's for people who generally earn about $67,000 or less, have a disability, or need language help. If that's you, go to Step 2.
- MilTax is free tax software from Military OneSource with expert phone support, and it has no income limit. It's for active-duty, Guard/Reserve, and veterans within 365 days (about one year) of separation or retirement. If you separated within the last year, jump to Step 5.
If both apply, either works. VITA means someone does it with you; MilTax means you do it yourself with backup.
2. Find your nearest VITA site (about 5 minutes).
Go to the IRS VITA/TCE locator at irs.gov/individuals/find-a-location-for-free-tax-prep (the tool lives at freetaxassistance.for.irs.gov/s/sitelocator). Enter your ZIP code and a search radius. You'll get a list of sites with addresses, hours, languages, and whether they take walk-ins or appointments. Can't find one or don't want to use the site? Call 800-906-9887 and they'll locate one for you. Note: most sites open around late January and run through the April deadline, and they start showing up on the locator about three weeks before they open, so if it looks empty in the fall or early winter, check back closer to filing season.
3. Call the site and ask two questions before you go.
Sites differ, so call ahead and ask: "Do I need an appointment or can I walk in?" and "Are you doing in-person, drop-off, or virtual this year?" This one call saves you a wasted trip.
4. Gather your documents and bring them to the appointment.
Bring:
- Photo ID for you (and your spouse, if married). If you're filing jointly and e-filing, both spouses have to be there in person to sign.
- Social Security cards (or copies) for you, your spouse, and any dependents, plus everyone's birth dates.
- All your income forms: every W-2, and any 1099s (1099-R for retirement pay, 1099-INT, 1099-DIV, 1099-NEC, 1099-G, etc.).
- Your bank routing and account number if you want your refund direct-deposited (fastest way to get it).
- Last year's tax return if you have it handy (helpful, not required).
You do not need any VA disability paperwork for this. Your VA compensation isn't taxable and doesn't get entered anywhere on the return.
5. Prefer to do it yourself? Use MilTax (recent separators).
If you separated or retired within the past year, go to militaryonesource.mil, open the MilTax section, and start the free software. It files your federal return plus up to five state returns for free, with no income limit. You verify eligibility through DEERS. Stuck on anything? MilTax comes with free tax consultants trained on military situations. Call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 or use their live chat.
6. Do not enter your VA disability as income.
When you file, leave VA disability compensation off the return entirely. The VA doesn't send you a W-2 or 1099 for it and doesn't report it to the IRS, because it isn't taxable at any rating percentage. A good free preparer knows this cold. Watch out for the difference: military retirement pay (the 1099-R) is taxable and does go on the return, even though your VA disability doesn't. If a paid preparer ever tried to tax your VA disability, that's a red flag you're now equipped to catch.
The catch
"Free" has edges. VITA volunteers are certified but they handle basic returns, so very complicated situations (certain rental, business, or investment scenarios) can be out of scope, and the site will tell you if yours is. Sites are seasonal and busy, so the closer you get to April the longer the wait; go early. And the roughly $67,000 VITA income figure moves a little each year, so confirm the current number on the IRS locator page rather than assuming. If you don't qualify for VITA and you're past your 365-day MilTax window, you can still often file free through IRS Direct File or the IRS Free File partners at irs.gov/filing, just make sure you start from the IRS site so you don't get funneled into a paid upgrade.
Go deeper
Get the full walkthrough, the current income limits, and the "what to bring" checklist you can screenshot, free: /p/free-tax-prep
This page is about filing your return for free. If your question is about your rating or a claim (you think your rating's too low, you want P&T, you're weighing a new claim), that's claims work and you should never pay for it. A free accredited VSO (DAV, VFW, American Legion, or your county VSO, find one through VA.gov) helps at no cost. And if a real money decision comes out of your refund or your taxes, take it to a fee-only fiduciary, not someone selling a product.
Education, not advice. Claims go to a free accredited VSO. Not affiliated with the VA or any government agency.