Tax Season Tips for Military Retirees

The April 15, 2026 tax deadline is quickly approaching 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. Tax Statements for tax year 2025 are available for reissue via AskDFAS (https://www.dfas.mil/askdfas).

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:
 

• Call 1-800-321-1080 or 317-212-0551
• Select option “2” for Retiree
• Select option “1” for Retiree
• Select option “2” to request copies of your tax documents
• Select option “1” 1099-R
• Select option “1” to continue
• Enter your Social Security number when prompted

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, it is strongly recommended to do it in myPay or use our AskDFAS online address change for retirees. Find more information on our AskDFAS Online Tools for Retirees webpage (https://www.dfas.mil/retonlinetools).

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 library webpage (https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/forms/).

You can also submit forms online with AskDFAS by uploading to DFAS online 24/7 using the at AskDFAS (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.

Federal Taxability of Retired Pay
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 taxation of retired pay webpage (https://www.dfas.mil/retpaytax).

 DFAS cannot provide tax advice. Please consult a tax professional or the IRS.

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 on the IRS website (https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator).

State Taxes for Retirees  
Retirees can start, stop, or change their State Income Tax Withholding (SITW), but only if that state has an agreement in place allowing DFAS to withhold state tax. In some states, portions of your retired pay may be tax exempt. Because tax obligations vary from state to state, contact your state's department of revenue regarding taxability of your military retired pay.  
  
 Any changes to SITW must be made in writing, by submitting a DD 2866 form available from DFAS forms library webpage (https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/forms/) or by using myPay. DFAS can only withhold income tax for one state at a time, and the designated state must have signed the standard written SITW agreement with the Department of War (DOW). Additional details on changing SITW are available on our state tax withholding webpage (https://www.dfas.mil/retstatetax).

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.