Ask a CPA

Payment for service outside a designated combat zone is not excluded from income unless the pay is hostile fire/imminent danger pay for serving an area in direct support of military operations in the combat zone. The Department of Defense certifies areas that meet these requirements. Hostile fire/imminent danger pay received for service in a non-certified area is taxable. Generally, hostile fire/imminent danger pay is included on Forms W-2 for persons who do not qualify for the exclusion and not included on Forms W-2 for persons who do qualify for the exclusion.

Yes. Military pay received by enlisted personnel who are hospitalized as a result of injuries sustained while serving in a combat zone is excluded from gross income for the period of hospitalization, subject to the 2-year limitation provided below. Commissioned officers have a similar exclusion, limited to the maximum enlisted pay amount per month. These exclusions from gross income for hospitalized enlisted personnel and commissioned officers end 2 years after the date of termination of the combat zone.

Yes. The combat zone includes the airspace over it, so you are serving in the combat zone. See Q&A-2 above for a discussion of the amount of your military pay that is excluded.

Yes, if you serve in a combat zone as an enlisted person or as a warrant officer (including commissioned warrant officers) for any part of a month, all your military pay received for military service that month is excluded from gross income. For commissioned officers, the monthly exclusion is capped at the highest enlisted pay, plus any hostile fire or imminent danger pay received.

Yes, Each of you qualifies for the income tax exclusion for your respective military pay.

If your total assets at the end of the year is less than $10 million and Schedule M-3 is not filed Mail return to Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Cincinnati OH 45999. If your total assets at the end of the year is more than $10 million and Schedule M-3 is filed Mail return to Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Ogden, UT 84201 Form 1065, less than $10 Million -Dept of the Treasury, IRS, Cincinnati OH 45999-0011- Form 1065, $10 Million or more-Dept of the Treasury, IRS, Ogden, UT 84201-0011

If you are not electronically filing and if you are filing and not enclosing a check or money order then file at the IRS Center Fresno CA 93888-0002: if you are filing and enclosing a check or money order then the address is IRS Center PO Box 802501 Cincinnati OH 45280-2501

These amounts are included in wages on Line 7 of Form 1040.

These amounts are included in wages on Line 7 of Form 1040.

There is currently no provision in the code which allows for distributions from any IRA to pay for college education without incurring severe tax ramifications. We recommend that you consider distributions from your IRA to pay for college costs as your last choice. Explore other options first.