How Do I Get My Military Retirement 1099 Form?

Military retirees need a 1099-R tax form to report their pension income to the IRS. It details total retirement pay and any taxes withheld, making it essential for accurate tax filing.

Retrieving Your Form Online

The fastest way to access a military retirement 1099-R is through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) online portal, myPay. This secure system allows retirees to download tax documents as soon as they become available, typically by mid-January. Logging in requires a username and password, which can be reset through the site’s automated recovery process if forgotten.

Once logged in, retirees should go to the “Tax Statements” section to find the 1099-R alongside other financial documents. The form can be viewed, printed, or saved as a PDF for electronic filing. This method avoids mail delays and provides access to past years’ forms.

For security, myPay offers two-factor authentication, requiring a one-time code sent via email or text. Retirees who haven’t enabled this feature may be prompted to do so when logging in.

Requesting a Mailed Copy

DFAS mails paper copies of the 1099-R each year to the address on file. If it hasn’t arrived by early February, retirees may need to request a replacement. Ensuring DFAS has the correct mailing address is crucial, as undeliverable forms aren’t automatically resent.

To request a mailed copy, retirees can contact DFAS customer service by phone or submit a written request. Phone requests are processed faster, though wait times can be long during peak tax season. Written requests should include the retiree’s full name, Social Security number, mailing address, and a clear request for a duplicate 1099-R. DFAS also accepts faxed requests.

If a retiree has moved without updating their address, the form may have been sent to an outdated location. Address changes can be made through myPay or by submitting Form DD 2866 to update retiree account information.

Correcting or Reissuing Your Form

Errors on a 1099-R can result in misreported income or incorrect tax calculations. If the taxable amount, federal withholding, or distribution code is wrong, retirees must request a corrected form. DFAS issues a revised 1099-R labeled “Corrected” to replace the inaccurate version.

To request a correction, retirees must contact DFAS and provide supporting documentation. For example, if a survivor benefit deduction was not properly accounted for, submitting a Retiree Account Statement or related DFAS correspondence can help expedite processing. Once approved, a new 1099-R is typically issued within 30 to 60 days, though processing times vary.

If a 1099-R was never received, lost, or destroyed, retirees can request a reissued copy. Unlike a correction, the form remains unchanged but is resent. Requests for reissued forms can be made online through the DFAS website or by phone. Retirees should verify account details to avoid delays in receiving the replacement.