Military uniforms deduction

[taxmom34]

wearing uniform off base

many years ago when I was in service , if we wore our uniform on a trip home on leave we could get free bus, airline or train ride home. however, I never filed schedule A in those days

[DaveinTexas]

Schedule A

I do admit that most of the enlisted service clients I have can't itemize. Not due to their financial status, just that most are young and don't have some place to call home yet; and no state income tax to pay either.

[FEDUKE404]

Not itemizing

I do admit that most of the enlisted service clients I have can't itemize. Not due to their financial status, just that most are young and don't have some place to call home yet; and no state income tax to pay either.

Agreed, and on the flip side of the coin most of my military folks DO have to pay state income tax.

(And they still, in virtually all cases, cannot itemize.)

But on the bright side, they do make a heck of a lot more money than I did when I wore the uniform!

FE

[gboykin]

Of course they can wear uniforms in the vehicle on their way to base. They are not allowed to wear uniforms in town at area businesses. I have several clients that I have told they were welcome to wear their uniforms in my office, but they change prior to coming to the office. When I worked in my in-laws retail business, I saw many military members in their uniforms get chewed out for wearing their uniforms in their place of business.

I have also won several audits on uniform expenses. And I agree that most can't get over the 2% haircut, but there are a few that will qualify.

[BOB W]

I have several clients that are either policeman, pilots or other uniformed employees that are also military reservist. Their misc A can get up there between the regular job and military expenses. That is why I perked up when I read PUB 3 and posted my find that was new to me.

So bottom line, its a facts issue on the deduction. At least I know what to provide if ever audited for the deductions taken.

[taxxcpa]

(And they still, in virtually all cases, cannot itemize.)

But on the bright side, they do make a heck of a lot more money than I did when I wore the uniform!

FE

They really make a lot more than I did.
As a buck private my pay was $ 75 per month with a big increase to $82.50 when I finished basic training and was promoted to PFC. I finally made it up to Staff Sergeant and got about $ 140 per month which enabled me to buy a lot more beer.

[mactoolsix]

I was surprised by googling this topic to find several branches of the military have restricted the wearing of uniforms of base.

The Navy: NWU wear is authorized for commuting and all normal tasks, such as stops at child care centers, gas stations, off-base shopping, banking, at the DMV, and dining before, during and after the workday. Since NWUs are not a liberty uniform, consumption of alcohol while off-base in the NWUs is not permitted. Area or regional commanders may further restrict this policy within their geographic limits.

U.S. troops in Europe are now forbidden to wear their uniforms off post “to the maximum extent possible,” including daily commutes to and from the office.

For the Army and Air Force (including National Guard) they can wear all uniforms off base.

Marines are not allowed to wear camouflage utilities off base.

Pub 3 - Armed Forces Tax Guide pg 14
"If military regulations prohibit you from wearing certain
uniforms when off duty, you can deduct the cost and up-
keep of the uniforms, . . . . "

[FEDUKE404]

Military wages

They really make a lot more than I did.
As a buck private my pay was $ 75 per month with a big increase to $82.50 when I finished basic training and was promoted to PFC. I finally made it up to Staff Sergeant and got about $ 140 per month which enabled me to buy a lot more beer.

Sounds about right.

I was recently looking over my Soc Sec earnings records, and for my two "military only" years my reportable annual earnings were $2,706 and $4,485.

As for PFC (E3), I did not make that during basic but did climb up to an E5 later on. There was a lot of "manipulating" related to my MOS, but I'm sure it's not necessary for me to explain such antics to you.

Of course, I now have a relative in the AF, and reportable (O2) income somewhere in the range of $39k. Not bad, considering all the extra stuff that gets tossed in tax-free. . .

FE

[veritas]

For Marines reservists

Question on this topic, though is the "reservist" same rules apply? That seems to be where I receive my list from.

Yes, great information, we might all have not recognized and taken a deduction or so , but saving grace could be that----- isn't it subject to the 2% misc - so that itself will minimize our exposure or the taxpayer exposure


Sandy

The rules are the same.

No cammies off base even to report for drill. Dress blues for ceremonies and the marine corp ball. Service uniforms can be worn.

[ChEAr$]

As Bob Hope said:

Thanks for the memories.

For the army there was a difference between class A uniforms and ordinary olive green fatigues.
Purchase and upkeep of the latter were deductible since they could NOT, Never, noway, be worn off post.

But what did I know about the tax aspects back then? I was a renter, not a home owner, well until about 6 years later.