Military Appreciation Month – Claim your 2015 military tax credit before it expires!

The Minnesota Department of Revenue reminds Minnesota service members to take advantage of the refundable 2015 Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone. The 2015 credit expires for most qualifying service members on October 15, 2019.

You may qualify for $120 per month or partial month served. Service members have already claimed more than $486,000 in refunds for the 2015 credit, with an average refund of $552.

“Military service members earned this credit while sacrificing for our country. The department wants to make sure they have the information they need to claim this credit before it expires in October,” said Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly.

Do I qualify for the credit?

You may qualify if all of the following are true:

• You served in a combat zone or qualified hazardous duty area anytime on or after January 1, 2015. For details about combat zones and qualified hazardous duty areas, visit the Internal Revenue Service’s webpage on Combat Zones Approved for Tax Benefits.
• You were a Minnesota resident during your time of service.
• You received combat pay.

How do I claim the credit?

Send us the following documents postmarked by October 15, 2019:

• Form M99, Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone
• Corresponding Form DD-214 for each period of qualifying service
• If you are still on active duty, attach your Leave and Earnings statements for each month of qualifying service.

Can I claim the credit for other years?

You may also claim this credit for tax years 2016, 2017, and 2018. To apply for these credits, file Form M99 for the appropriate year and include the documents above.

Where can I find more information?

• For details on this credit, see our Credit for Military Service in a Combat Zone page.

For details on Minnesota’s other military tax benefits, see our Members of the Military page.