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Ohio military pay tax

Ohio exempts military pay only in certain cases, mainly when you are stationed outside the state.

Active-duty payExempt if stationed outside the state
Military retired payRetired pay exempt
E-5 basic pay a year$49,320
BAH and BASNever taxed

Active-duty and reserve pay

Residents serving on active duty outside Ohio can deduct their military pay.

An E-5 with over 6 years of service earns $49,320 a year in basic pay. If those conditions are met, Ohio does not tax it. If not, the full $49,320 counts as Ohio income. Housing and food allowances are never taxed by any state.

Military retired pay

Military retired pay is exempt.

Your state of legal residence decides

Military pay is taxed by your state of legal residence, usually the state you lived in when you joined or one you later adopted by changing your records, not by the state where you are stationed. This comes from the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Spouses can choose to use the member's state of legal residence for their own income too.

See your total pay with state tax

Questions

Does Ohio tax military pay?

Ohio exempts military pay only in certain cases, mainly when you are stationed outside the state. Residents serving on active duty outside Ohio can deduct their military pay.

Does Ohio tax military retirement pay?

Military retired pay is exempt.

Is BAH taxed in Ohio?

No. BAH and BAS are not taxable income for federal or state tax in any state.

Which state taxes me if I am stationed in Ohio?

Under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, your military pay is taxed only by your state of legal residence, not the state where you are stationed. If Ohio is not your legal residence, Ohio does not tax your military pay.

Sources: Air Force benefits office state tax summary, tax year 2025 and Ohio tax authority. State rules change often, so confirm with the state before you file.