DFAS Tips for a Smoother Tax Season

By DFAS Cleveland

Tax season is here again and it’s time to gather your paperwork.

The IRS Form 1099-R is the retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuitant tax statement, like the W-2 provided to wage earners. The 1099-R documents the amount of your taxable retired or SBP annuity income and how much was withheld in taxes.

Skip the Mailbox and Use myPay

The fastest and most secure way to obtain a copy of your 1099-R is through myPay. Retirees and SBP annuitants can log in to myPay 24/7 and download or print the 1099-R from the comfort of home. See: https://mypay.dfas.mil

In fact, 1099-Rs for tax year 2024 for both retirees and SBP annuitants were available in myPay starting December 17, 2024.

In addition, in myPay you can download or print your current year tax statement, as well as prior year 1099-Rs (up to four prior years for retirees and up to two prior years for SBP annuitants).

If You Requested a Postal Mail 1099-R

If you requested your 1099-R to be mailed, it will be mailed via U.S. Postal Service no later than January 31, 2025.

If You Need a Duplicate Copy of Your 1099-R

DFAS offers convenient options to get a duplicate copy of your IRS Form 1099-R, even if you’re not using myPay.

Please note that 1099-R reissues for tax year 2024 cannot be mailed prior to February 10, 2025.

Telephone Service

For retirees, if your mailing address on file with DFAS is current, you can get a copy of your 1099-R through the telephone self-service option. To use telephone self-service:

  • Call 800-321-1080 or 317-212-0551
  • Select option “1” for Self-Serve
  • Select option “1” 1099-R
  • Enter your Social Security Number when prompted

Your 1099-R should be in the mail within 7-10 business days to the address DFAS has on record.

Online Requests

If the address you have on file with DFAS is out of date and you are not a myPay user, you (both retirees and SBP annuitants) can get your 1099-R sent to a one-time, temporary mailing address or to your mailing address on record by submitting your request online through askDFAS. Plus, you can request prior year 1099-Rs.

Your 1099-R should be in the mail within 7-10 business days. Our online request tool now also accepts international addresses.

Get the link on our Quick Tools webpage: https://www.dfas.mil/raquicktools

Traditional Mail or Fax

If you prefer, you can send us a written request by fax or mail, but please make sure you leave time for processing. It can take up to 30 days to process requests received by fax or mail.

Customer Service

Members with unique situations can speak directly to one of our customer care representatives. Depending on call volume, you may have to wait on hold while we assist other customers.

Find instructions for these convenient options at: www.dfas.mil/rettaxes

Taxability of Retired Pay

Military retired pay is paid for many different reasons under many different laws. 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 your military retired pay is subject to federal income taxes depends on your individual circumstances.

Your choice to have no withholding for federal taxes does not impact whether your military retired pay is actually subject to federal income taxes. Ultimately, the IRS will determine the amount of taxes owed on your military retired pay.

Again, the IRS requires any individual claiming exemption from federal withholding to provide a new Form W-4 at the beginning of each tax year certifying exemption from withholding.

Please see our webpage regarding taxation of retired pay: https://www.dfas.mil/retpaytax.

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