• The Department of Veterans Affairs offers tax-issue assistance to veterans.Rick Hyman/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Veterans of the U.S. military are eligible for a number of tax deductions on their personal income taxes. These deductions range from child-care related expenses to costs incurred as a result of continuing their education. As with any tax-related issue, it is wise to seek the advice of a tax expert should unforseen questions arise.
  
  

Education

• Many veterans choose to continue their education once their service has ended. While the U.S. military offers generous grant programs to help offset the cost of education for military members and their families, left-over expenses that relate to the costs of tuition, books and related educational expenses may be deductible. For the expenses to qualify for deduction, the costs must relate to the expenses incurred through continued education at an accredited college or university or through costs incurred as a result of vocational training. If the education was for vocational (job training) purposes, any course-related tools and equipment purchased may also be deductable.
  
  

Business-Related Deductions

• Another option that many veterans choose once their service in the armed forces has ended is to start their own business or return to work through the private sector. The choice to return to work or open a business may offer increased tax deductions as a result of expenses incurred while working. Qualifying deductions can include the cost of business-related lunches, if verifiable, and the costs of transportation and hotel expenses, if travel is necessary. For veterans who are self-employed or work from home, the costs of office equipment such as computers, fax machines and certain utilities such as phone and electrical services are also deductible. These deductions are available to all eligible taxpayers, not just veterans
  
  

Child Tax Credits

• Many veterans are also parents. As is the case with all taxpayers, veterans who have children under the age of 17 qualify for standard child-tax credits that are designed to help offset the costs of education and child care. Eligible deductions can include the costs of clothing for children under the age of 17, medical expenses such as the costs of providing insurance in order to keep the child medically insured and orthodontics treatments that may be necessary to correct dental problems. In addition, educational expenses may be deductible for the costs of tuition in private school or for day-care for children who are not of school age.