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The Global Insight

What military income is not taxable?

Author

Mia Phillips

Updated on March 13, 2026

In general, unless earned in a designated combat zone, all military pay items are taxable. Military allowances (such as housing allowance, overseas housing allowance, family separation allowance, basic allowance for subsistence) are not taxable by either the federal or state governments.

Does military income get taxed?

In the military, the federal government generally only taxes base pay, and many states waive income taxes. Other military pay—things like housing allowances, combat pay or cost-of-living adjustments—isn’t taxed. You will still need to pay estimated taxes, but you’ll need to manage those payments yourself.

Are military benefits considered income?

Military retirement pay based on age or length of service is considered taxable income for Federal income taxes. However, military disability retirement pay and Veterans’ benefits, including service-connected disability pension payments, may be partially or fully excluded from taxable income.

Is military exempt from taxes?

If you serve in a combat zone as an enlisted service member or as a warrant officer for any part of a month, all your income for that month is exempt from federal taxes. For officers, the monthly exclusion is capped at the highest rate of enlisted pay, plus any hostile fire or imminent danger pay received.

What percentage of taxes go to military?

Historically, military spending has been the single largest portion of Federal Funds budget. Since World War II, the percentage that goes to the military — current and past spending — has varied from 45 to 90 percent. Income tax money goes only into the Federal Funds part of the budget.

Is military disability for life?

Home » FAQs » Is VA Disability for Life? VA disability is usually not for life. With this designation, you’ll receive VA disability benefits for life (absent a finding of fraud). VA reserves permanent and total disability for the most extreme situations.

Does military housing allowance count as income?

The Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) are both nontaxable income.

Can military write off haircuts on taxes?

No, haircuts for military personnel are considered part of normal grooming and are not tax-deductible.

Do you pay federal income tax on military pay?

Typically, military retirement pay is taxable income at the federal level, and at the state level for some states (some states either don’t have income tax, or they exempt retirement pay or pensions from state income taxes). VA service-related disability compensation is a non-taxable income. Reply.

Are there states that do not tax military retirement pay?

You may be surprised to learn that 25 states do not tax any of your military retirement pay, while 19 states offer special considerations for military retirement income or other pension plans. That leaves only 7 states that offer no special tax treatment of military pensions. (Washington D.C. is included in these facts).

Do you have to include combat pay on taxes?

You also can’t exclude personal use of a government-provided vehicle. Military taxpayers who receive tax-free combat pay can continue to include it as earned income for purposes of: To learn more, see these tax tips:

How much can I exclude from my taxes for military retirement?

Military retirees ages 55 – 64 can exclude up to $20,000 in any one tax year from their retirement pay, those 65 and over can exclude up to $24,000. Up to $2,000 of military retirement excluded for individuals under age 60; $12,500 if 60 or older. Taxpayers over 62 or permanently disabled may be eligible for a $4,000 exclusion of retired pay.