Tax tips for military personnel

With all the news about troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, it's easy to forget that U.S. military personnel are stationed all over the globe. According to the Department of Defense, as of last year, there were 1,421,668 service men and women on active duty, largely located in the U.S. An additional 848,000 service men and women make up the reserves.

Men and women who serve in the military face a different set of challenges than most. In any given year, military personnel may experience relocation to different stations, temporary assignments and shifts for serving in a combat zone. As the sister of two Navy boys, including a career submariner, I can attest that what does remain constant is the capacity for change -- my brothers, for example, have collectively lived or worked in at least seven states while in the service.