Terry Smith’s military career spanned 36 years of Navy Reserve, Active Army, Army Reserve and finishing up with 25 years in the California Army National Guard. His duties covered being a Newscaster in Korea, finance clerk with an Amphibious Army Reserve unit stationed at Cp Pendleton, “parts pusher” with a Maintenance company and finishing up in Food Service overseeing Mess Hall operations for Battalion Headquarters for Southern California.

This is not to brag over any one duty, but rather to show the diversity of a career that fully understands the “out of pocket” expenses incurred by Active Duty and Reserve personnel. These expenses are often deductible, but more frequently totally over-looked by most California tax preparers.

These expenses also have the same tax deductible opportunities for the following careers:

• Border Patrol Agents
• D.E.A. & FBI Agents
• Police Officers & S.W.A.T
• California Highway Patrol
• Parole Officers & Prison Guards
• Bailiffs
• Sheriffs

The Tax Pro team has prepared numerous returns for out of state Active Duty personnel for which the big chain preparation franchises are not familiar with how to prepare a Non Resident California return. This incorrect filing status would make the Active Duty family pay at least $300 more in taxes to California.

Another issue that the chains have problems with is the Injured Spouse form. This is a situation where one spouse has tax issues that were not created with the current spouse. Of course, it’s OMF (one more form) to file, but done correctly can save the “Injured/Innocent” spouse thousands of tax dollars in refund money due them.

If you have a question about your tax status, or are dealing with the IRS at your door, contact our Tax Pro team; your first 60 minute consultation is free!