Should all military compensation be tax free all the time?

COL Lee Flemming — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:42:06 -0400

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 18 at 2016 11:46 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:46:44 -0400

no Sir, but i am an advocate for all income to be taxed at the same rate unconditional of everything.

Response by SGT David T. made Aug 18 at 2016 11:49 AM

SGT David T. — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 11:49:17 -0400

Not unless the rest of the population's income is also tax free. Washington said it best "When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen". As public servants we must set the example for the rest to follow.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 18 at 2016 12:03 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:03:59 -0400

I'm divided on this.

I have a pragmatic problem with Government Employees (of which the military is) paying Federal Tax right back to the Government.

Something seems wrong with your employer pocketing X% of your pay. I'm not saying we shouldn't pay taxes, just there seems to be an "Administrative Burden" (with associated cost) attached where one is not needed.

Using whole numbers for simplicity, what is the difference between getting $10,000 paying 15%, or getting $8,500 and paying zero?

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Aug 18 at 2016 12:14 PM

MSG Pat Colby — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:14:51 -0400

I've always been amused at the irony of Federal taxes being withheld from my paycheck, Sir. Basically, I'm paying a portion of my own check if you get my drift. People complain that they are "paying the salary of Military and Retirees". So am I!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 18 at 2016 12:31 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 12:31:50 -0400

It really doesn't matter. If tax free, then the salary will be lower because it's tax free. The pay system is designed to get/maintain staffing at the minimum levels. I don't expect that to change. Most of the "support the military" stuff the Pols do is window dressing.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 3:28 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 15:28:07 -0400

well, we're supposed to be about 1% of the population so they won't miss the money right? I did enjoy that little perk while deployed.
That said, we're only 1% of the population and not a voting block. That's why our civilians haven't received a pay increase in a long time and our benefits are being reduced. At least I get 20% discount at Jason's Deli.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2016 8:57 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 20:57:50 -0400

We are still citizens, so we pay taxes. I never saw anything wrong with that.

Response by SMSgt Matthew Hoyer made Aug 18 at 2016 11:18 PM

SMSgt Matthew Hoyer — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 23:18:21 -0400

I've been deployed so much over the years that I haven't really paid taxes in like 10 years. Or at least, they hang onto my money for a bit, then give it back with a little something extra because my adjusted gross income is SOOOO low lol

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Aug 18 at 2016 11:41 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Thu, 18 Aug 2016 23:41:11 -0400

Yes

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2016 2:15 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 02:15:37 -0400

If I didn't have to pay for it in April whatsoever, well... I'd be pretty happy Sir. Should it be? I don't know, it is an interesting cycle. Our pay is made available by taxes which is taxed to pay for... And so on.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2017 6:08 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 18:08:20 -0400

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/end-paying-taxes-military-service-pay-especially-while-stationed-overseas

End paying taxes on military service pay, especially while stationed overseas. | We the People:...

Service members are paying for more than just our right to be free. They are paying for their own wages by paying taxes. Service members are paid for by taxes, and paying taxes on that wage is like a snake eating its own tail. It is not right that the people providing the service should be paying for the service they provide for others. In this respect, service members, especially those that serve overseas should not have to pay taxes. Policy...

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Oct 6 at 2017 7:31 AM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 07:31:53 -0400

This is a tough question. On one hand, yes I believe looking at the sacrifices we make in uniform, the least they could do is make our pay tax exempt.