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The April 15, 2025 tax deadline is arriving soon, and now is a good time to make sure you have all your tax documents ready. Here is a summary of retired pay tax season tips and the DFAS tools available if you are missing documents. For those who may not know, the 1099-R is the retiree tax statement, like the W-2 provided to wage earners. The 1099-R document shows the amount of taxable retired income earned and how much was withheld in taxes – and must be filed with your tax return. Retiree 1099-Rs are available in myPay. The best way to obtain your 1099-R is to use myPay, https://mypay.dfas.mil. With a myPay account, you can find the most important retired pay information, including your 1099-R. The advantage of using myPay is you have 24/7 access to your tax documents. You can print or download the current year tax statement and access previous 1099-Rs in myPay (up to four prior years for retirees) to compare, or if you need to file an amended return. Requesting a Duplicate 1099-R If you are not using myPay yet, we do offer other convenient options to request a replacement IRS Form 1099-R. As of February 10, 2025, you can get your 1099-Rs sent to the address on file with DFAS or to a one-time, temporary mailing address by submitting a request online. Our online request tool also accepts international addresses. It’s easy to find on our Quick Tools webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools. DFAS also provides a self-service telephone option for retirees. Retirees can access the phone option at 1-800-321-1080. If you are a retiree using the phone option, please verify your current mailing address is correct. The telephone option is currently available for retirees and only for the current year tax statement. Instructions for using the telephone self-service option for 1099-R reissue requests:
The 1099-R should be in the mail within 7-10 business days to the address we have on record. If you need to update your mailing address first, you can do it in myPay or use our askDFAS online address change form for retirees at https://www.dfas.mil/raonlinetools. If you prefer traditional mail, you can send us a written request by fax or mail, but please make sure to leave time for processing. It can take up to 30 days to process requests received by fax or mail. Find instructions at https://www.dfas.mil/rettaxes. Members with unique situations can speak directly to one of our customer care representatives. Depending on call volume, you may have to wait on hold while we assist other customers. For more information, go to: https://www.dfas.mil/racustomers. Changing Your Federal Tax Withholding If you need to change your withholding, you can do it easily in myPay. You can also fill out and mail an IRS Form W-4 if you are a military retiree. The form is available on the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov) and is also linked from the DFAS Forms webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raforms. You can also submit forms online with askDFAS by uploading to DFAS online 24/7 using the askDFAS online upload tools at https://www.dfas.mil/askdfas. Please note: You are not required to file a new Form W-4 unless you previously claimed exemption from federal tax withholding. If you claimed exemption, the IRS requires you file a new W-4 at the beginning of EACH tax year. Military retired pay is paid for many different reasons under numerous laws. There are differences in the types of pay a military retiree might receive and the tax laws that apply to them. Whether a portion or all of an individual’s military retired pay is subject to federal income taxes depends on his/her individual circumstances. An individual’s choice to have no withholding for federal taxes does not impact whether the individual’s military retired pay is actually subject to federal income taxes. Ultimately, the IRS will determine the amount of taxes owed on the military retired pay. Please see our webpage regarding taxation of retired pay: https://www.dfas.mil/retpaytax. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator The IRS has an online Tax Withholding Estimator to help you determine the amount of taxes you need to have withheld. The estimator helps taxpayers determine if the right amount is being withheld from their income to cover their tax liability. The estimator uses a simple, six-step question-and-answer format using information like marital or filing status, income, withholding, adjustments, deductions, and credits. The mobile-friendly estimator is available at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator. Note: The information on this website is provided to explain typical situations regarding retiree and annuitant benefits. For details and exceptions, please see applicable laws, financial management regulations, and instructions.
Page Updated Mar 26 2025