What is everyone's take on the Military as a whole being taxed vs no tax for the military?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 22:27:27 -0500

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 10:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 22:40:24 -0500

This question is a little vague but I'll give an answer. The fact that our housing BAS and medical are not taxed and many of us are legal residents of states that do not tax military income when you look at how much money you will need to make after the military it is significantly more than you would expect. Cost of living is also something to pay attention to, someone who makes $80k in DC does not live as well as someone who makes $60k in Alabama.

Not sure if that is what you were asking but there it is anyway.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 11:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 23:36:24 -0500

I think the current system works well for soldiers. As a reservist if they started to tax all of my benefits while on active duty orders I would lose money vs my civilian job and then would only volunteer for duty if my finances were in proper order for that time frame.

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Dec 1 at 2013 11:44 PM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 23:44:58 -0500

I will keep it simple, I would like to see retirement pay not taxed. Would be a nice benefit to have considering all that you do in a span of 20 years.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 2 at 2013 9:06 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 09:06:49 -0500

I don't think the military should be exempt from doing our part and paying taxes; unless you're medically retired.

I'm not rich and this is not a popular side, but taxes are used (when used properly) for a specific reason.

If you look at many cities/towns that do not collect enough taxes, the areas are in shambles. Taxes, again when used properly, benefit many that can't afford to even pay taxes.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 2 at 2013 10:13 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 10:13:35 -0500

Since we are paid with taxes I think our contribution to federal income tax should be less just for logical reasons.

If you were taking up donations at work to help someone out on hard times, would you also collect money from that same person just to give it back to them?

I think we should pay taxes to pay for the services we receive from the govt. but it just doesnt make sense to tax tax money.

Its like paying sales tax on a used car.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2013 8:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 20:20:25 -0500

MSG,

Agreed, taxes are there to serve a purpose to when used properly help with internal structures. These structures most important to me are our roads, family support systems. Without these programs, they would fall to the way side and a contractor that over charges would pick this up possibly costing tax payers more money.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2013 1:42 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 01:42:46 -0500

I think the federal gov't especially is always looking for revenue sources and doing anything to make the load easier seems unlikely.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2014 1:38 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 01:38:35 -0400

I suppose as long as the pay rates stayed the same of course I would not mind not paying taxes. If they were to cut the pay to compensate then that would not be ideal because then you would be able to benefit from home ownership etc.